Mojo Thunder Talk New Album, Single And More

 High-flying Kentucky rock’n’roll band Mojo Thunder release their sophomore album The Infinite Hope on the Friday 16th August 2024. Bryson Willoughby, the band’s lead guitarist chatted to us:

Who is in Mojo Thunder, what do they play and how did you all meet?
Mojo Thunder is Sean Sullivan (Vocals & rhythm guitar), Zac, Shoopman (drums), Andrew Brockman (bass) and myself, Bryson Willoughby (lead guitar). I put out an ad looking to started a band which Zac answered, Andrew came to us by way of a mutual friend, and we found Sean through a video online. We’ve been together since November of 2018.

2 – What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest significant musical memories are listening to my uncle and grandfather play music. When we visited my papaw’s house as a kid, they would stay up late into the night playing, and I would sneak up after being put to bed to listen to them play and tell stories. So, before I ever dreamed of being on a stage I just wanted to play with them. That’s where it all started.

Your new album ‘The Infinite Hope’ is released on 16th August 2024. How did you want to approach making the album?
We wanted to do this one at home. Previously we have always traveled to record but after being on the road so much we didn’t want to live out of hotels while recording this one. We also wanted to make sure we didn’t limit ourselves creatively. No genre or style was off limits and we worked on everyone’s songs to make sure we went in with plenty of material to choose from. Our first records sounds like a 70’s rock record, and this newest one sounds like us. That was the main goal.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?
We recorded at the Lexington Recording Co., and it was produced by Duane Lundy. He really understood what we we’re going for, and we couldn’t have finished this album without him. Duane has an impeccable ear, and brought out the best in us. He’s got good instincts, and I trust his opinion. If we started going down the wrong direction, or couldn’t quite bring a part to life he was able to get everything where it needed to be. I’m really proud of the album, and I’d love to work with Duane more moving forward.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
Our first obligation in a live setting is making sure we put on a great show the audience finds entertaining. As four guys that grew up in working class families, it’s important to us to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Second, for ourselves we have to get lost in it. If we are fully living in the moment and we can tap into that spiritual offering music has then the game is won.

One of the tracks is your new single ‘Holy Ghost’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?
With Holy Ghost I wanted to tell a story. It’s about a preacher who’s scared of of change and losing privilege so he makes an enemy out of progress, which manifests itself in a murder for hire. I’m not going to detail it all out, but a lot of our modern political climate here in the states served as an inspiration. Fear is a powerful thing, and I hope the truth overcomes it.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I’ve got a Gibson les Paul as my main guitar, and a telecaster with pearly gates humbucker pick-ups. I don’t go to shows without either of those instruments.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
My hometown is a small rural community in Southeastern KY. There’s a charm to small southern towns, and I don’t quite know why but the isolation is a breeding ground for creativity. Maybe it’s because there isn’t much else to do and your sort of void of outside influence. We didn’t have a lot of job opportunities in those areas so a lot of people my age didn’t stay. You had to leave for work or school to find your way in another part of the world. in five words, I’d describe my hometown as a “A place I couldn’t stay.”

How do you look after your voices?
Sean takes care of his voice by warming up before shows and singing with the correct technique. That’s something a lot of singers take for granted, and Sean’s playing the long game. We plan on doing this as long as we can and he’s a big part of making sure we can keep the wheels moving. We’ll also try to limit how much he uses his voice on the day of shows.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I think 1984 by George Orwell might be the most important story ever told. It would be one of the great achievements of my life to work on that and be a part of that story. Also, if the Sinestro Corps Wars or any of the Geoff Johns Green Lantern run received a proper film adaptation I’d love to work on that.

Which of the tracks on your new album hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
A) Gettin’ on a Binge is us at our most happy. Despite its dark undertone/warning lyrically, it is a fun song you can dance to. It’s got that Hunter S. Thompson “fear and loathing” feel. Our drummer Zac Shoopman wrote it. Should’ve been a single.
B) Holy Ghost has a lot of aggression. We’re playing hard and working through frustrations on that one. There’s a lot of release in that 3 minutes, and you can feel the energy in a room pick-up when we get going.
C) Greetings from Western Art is us at our most reflective. It’s the closest I feel to a character in one of our songs, and I shared a lot of myself with that one. My hope is it resonates with other people, and they can find themselves in the song.

Who designed/created the album artwork?
My good friend Chancit Jeffords did the album artwork. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had discussing album art and it was awesome seeing it come together. Chance and I both share a love for comics, and he has a deep understanding and respect for the medium. We had a few conversations about character designs and overall theme, and then I got out of his way.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Oh, so many. We love Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Beatles, Black Crowes, Oasis, the Replacements, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, Springsteen, Merle Haggard, Thin Lizzy, the Faces, the Killers, John Lee Hooker, all the Kings, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wu-Tang Clan, Kendrick Lamar, Tribe Called Quest and all the others that are currently slipping my mind. We love music, it’s on constantly. Recommendations: Justin Wells, the Dead Bolts, Brother Smith, Laidback Country Picker, the Damn Shames, Abby Hamilton, & Rylee Stafford are all amazing artists you ought to know.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024?
Yes, we’ll be touring Europe mid-September through October. The dates are listed on our website mojothunder.com and tickets are on sale now. Come see us and talk to us after the show. We love meeting new people and talking about music.

Was it a difficult album to write?
We spend a lot of time crafting songs. We aren’t a record and play through it one time, and there it is, kind of band. We try to be meticulous, and work through everything. That can be challenging at times, especially when you have four people with four visions of what something is, or could be. We get along for the most part, but there can be some tense moments trying to get everything together.

What makes Mojo Thunder happy and what makes you unhappy?

It makes us happy to be on stage playing for people, recording music, or be working on whatever our next project is. Deadlines, and the music business are generally what make us unhappy.