Rock ‘N’ Load – Behind the Music with Jasper Dan: Crafting Mystical Themes and Raw Energy in ‘Mama Voodoo’
Jasper Dan, the South African Southern rock powerhouse, returns with their electrifying new single ‘Mama Voodoo,’ available on all platforms Friday, 19 July. This high-octane anthem promises a thrilling journey through their signature Southern Rock sound with a modern twist.
Q: Can you share the story behind how Jasper Dan was formed and how your Southern Rock influences have shaped the band’s identity over the years?
Jasper Dan: Jamie lived in Dubai for several years, and upon returning to South Africa, he bought the house next to Paul, Jasper Dan’s founding drummer. At his housewarming with friends, Jamie had set up and plugged in guitars and was jamming away when Paul came to the door. Thinking he was coming to complain about the noise, Jamie answered the door prepared for a confrontation, only to be told Paul was a drummer and wanted to join in. The following Tuesday, Jasper Dan was born at a band rehearsal at Paul’s house. A few years on and after a handful of member changes, Jasper Dan is still going strong. Jamie is still on vocals, and Paul has taken on the role of managing the band. We really are a close-knit bunch. In the earlier years, our band changes were done on an audition basis with people we didn’t know before. Make no mistake, we created amazing friendships with all previous members of the band, but a few years ago, we decided to handpick and approach the guys we wanted and who we knew were reasonably like-minded from a music point of view. Fortunately, they were all really interested and jumped on board. Jason was the drummer for the Sinners, who had done a few local tours with Jasper Dan. When he was transferred to Johannesburg from Durban, he was asked to join. Mark (Funks) had gone to school with Jamie many years before, but Jamie had always been aware of Mark’s musical progression in other bands and as a session musician. So, when the opportunity arose, we got him in too. Barrett had played previously with Mark in a tribute band. We brought him in and loved having him as much as he’s loved having us, which really is a whole bunch!
Q: Your new single ‘Mama Voodoo’ is described as ‘merging mystical themes with raw energy’. How did these thematic elements come together during the songwriting and production process?
Jasper Dan (Barrett): The original idea came back during the Covid Pandemic lockdown. I battled with not being able to play music in a collective environment with my bandmates and live shows, through which we thrive. These challenges boiled over into something of a deeply frustrated and quite aggressive riff, which eventually became the backbone for ‘Mama Voodoo’.
Jasper Dan (Jamie): From there, it was almost as if the song chose its own lyrical content, as a theme of traditional and dark magic practices seemed to be the only thought I had while listening to the music when we were putting it all together. I started to visualise the many methods people use for escape and hallucinogenic journeys that people of all walks of life have been experimenting with over many generations. I always found it fascinating that long before people of different continents had contact or communication with each other, there have always been different methods for inducing spiritual or out-of-mind journeys. From palm reading to tarot cards, crystal balls to ayahuasca experiences to drinking pills, the song tells a story of a spiritual journey of enlightenment through mayhem, ending in tranquillity and peace, like the emotion and feeling of being immersed in the gentle rolling river water. By the time we took ‘Mama Voodoo’ to the studio with the incredible Robin Walsh at Assegai Studios, all the parts were well rehearsed. Because of this, we decided to record it together in the sound room at the same time. We made a few minor tweaks, and Jamie added a few last-minute changes to the lyrics, which he always does.
Q: How has Jasper Dan’s sound evolved over time from your debut album ‘A Southern Fling’ to your previous single ‘Krooked Kings’, and what can listeners expect now from ‘Mama Voodoo’ in terms of musical progression?
Jasper Dan: When we brought out ‘A Southern Fling’, the band was very much in its infancy, and the progression to now is associated with being a bit more experienced. We’ve also had a few member changes over the years, and as you know, the individual members of the band all have a very diverse taste in music. We all subconsciously bring those individual influences on the table when we write. These influences have crafted Jasper Dan’s sound over the years. Jamie is the only constant throughout the history of the band, so it’s great that the vocal has remained consistent. We write about our experiences, the things and people we know, so each song demands its own originality and mood. ‘Krooked Kings,’ which we wrote for the Krooked Kings MC South Africa, needed to be a bit more stripped back and raw. In terms of ‘Mama Voodoo’ on its own? It’s quite a bit more technical, and we’ve incorporated a bit more studio magic to put across that emotion of mayhem and psychedelia. We really try to put a lot of thought into how the music portrays the lyrics while at the same time keeping that Jasper Dan thread.
Q: Beyond music, Jasper Dan is known for its involvement in community initiatives. Can you tell us more about your commitment to social causes and how it reflects in your music and band ethos?
Jasper Dan: Well, what we believe is that you got to do what you can with what you have. Fortunately, we have a voice, and we have a platform. We have been very fortunate and blessed that we receive so much support for the initiatives we get behind. We are partners with and very much aligned with Rainbows and Smiles, the SPCA, and the NSRI. We also have a close connection to the Krooked Kings Motorcycle Club, who are involved in a lot of charity outreach.
Q: How do you approach incorporating Southern Rock influences into your songwriting while maintaining a contemporary sound that appeals to a wide audience?
Jasper Dan: Our musical roots are relatively firmly set in 1970s American rock. It’s the tone we are all about, and it really is the tone that we aim for. Overdriven Marshall Amplifiers, Gibson Les Pauls, a fuzzy Fender Jazz Bass, and big classic Tama drums. A good ol’ faithful SM 58 vocal microphone. This combination is our happy place! From there, more modern learning styles, equipment, and experimentation combined with current-day lyrical content bring the songs into this era. Our lyrics are very heavily influenced by our experiences, about the people and places we know. That’s really where our home-grown influences find a place in the music we make.
Q: Can you describe the collaborative process within Jasper Dan when crafting new music? How do you navigate differences in musical tastes and ideas?
Jasper Dan: A country music fan, a death metal fan, a 90s glam rock fan, and a funk fan all walked into a bar. They found each other over Jack, tequila, beer, and a good time. This is pretty much the Jasper Dan story. It’s really all about the fact that we write music together. It’s very much a collaborative and organic process. We are not a band that writes our parts individually or away from each other to later come together and stitch it all; we physically sit together in the same room at our bar and work through the song creation process together. We bounce ideas, thoughts, and the things we individually hear inside off each other. There are no egos; each one of us respects the other.
Q: ‘Mama Voodoo’ explores mystical themes. What inspired you to delve into these themes, and how do they resonate with your personal beliefs and experiences?
Jasper Dan: While we have all been young and experimented in our own different ways, and we have leaned on the psychedelic side of things in ‘Mama Voodoo,’ the underlying theme really relates back to all our own journeys, whether these be medically, drug, or otherwise induced or not. People also battle through journeys related to life, stress, or grief. The story of the song is about the mayhem before the tranquillity or the calming of the waters after the storm. You just need to buckle down and weather what’s ahead.
Q: What challenges have you faced, both as a South African and as a Southern Rock band in the music industry, and how have these challenges influenced your approach to creating and releasing music?
Jasper Dan: From a South African context, the challenge really is that we have a relatively small but very isolated rock music scene. We have no bordering rock scenes, and we are geographically miles away from Europe, America, and Australia, where rock music still has a healthy following. This obviously translates into challenges with exposure to foreign markets and the physical challenge of following this up with touring and the like. There certainly aren’t too many bands in South Africa playing the type and style of music we play now. It really is a sound we love creating. It’s important to have good people in your corner, which is something we try to do. Robin Walsh at Assegai Studios is a world-class engineer and producer and a great friend of ours. We’ve also aligned ourselves with Devo from Devographic Music Agency, who is probably the best publicist in South Africa!
Q: How do you see the role of Southern Rock evolving in today’s music landscape? What unique contributions does Jasper Dan aim to bring to this genre?
Jasper Dan: For us, when we talk or think about Southern Rock, it’s really all about the sound, the tone, and that groove. We see that Southern Rock is continuously evolving into new forms. There’s a definite crossover into other genres that we are seeing more and more of. It’s the traditional roots of Southern Rock that Jasper Dan wants to keep alive. That good ol’ Southern groove is what we are all about, and that really is the essence of what Jasper Dan wants to contribute. With the new songs we are busy with and writing, we aim to keep those roots alive but are also slowly including those progressive modern touches. While Southern Rock was something that really belonged to the South of the USA, we also feel that we can proudly call it ours.
Q: What are the plans and upcoming projects for Jasper Dan after the release of ‘Mama Voodoo’? Are you continuing the single-release trajectory, or is a sophomore album on the cards? Is a music video for ‘Mama Voodoo’ forthcoming? Are there any tours or collaborations on the horizon?
Jasper Dan: We have more studio time planned with the man himself, Robin Walsh, at Assegai Studio in Johannesburg, as we make our way towards our second full-length album. On the performance side, we really want to continue with our Jasper Dan and Friends shows, where we invite young up-and-coming bands to perform with us at local venues. The reaction to our music and performances in South Africa over the past few years has been fantastic, and it is something we want to explore further. We have a very large country, and there are still many places we really want to reach. The big dream is to experience the reaction to our music and performances on an international stage. That really excites us. South Africa is geographically vast, and seeing how different parts of the country have welcomed us over the past few years really piques our curiosity about what international audiences would think. Collectively, within the band, we have family and very close friends who live in the UK and Ireland, so you never know, we may just see you real soon!
Thank you, Jasper Dan, for sharing your insights into ‘Mama Voodoo’ and your journey as a Southern rock band. We’re excited to experience your latest release and to follow your future endeavours. Don’t forget to stream ‘Mama Voodoo’, available Friday 19 July on all platforms https://linktr.ee/jasperdan
Website: www.jasperdan.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JasperDan69
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasper_dan_sa
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jasperdansa7319
Jasper Dan Bio
Jasper Dan is a rock band hailing from South Africa, renowned for their high-energy performances and a distinctive blend of classic Southern Rock with a modern twist. Formed in 2015, the band swiftly transitioned from covering songs to crafting their own music, quickly amassing a dedicated following. Their signature style is characterized by a robust rhythm section, captivating guitar hooks, and raw, cohesive vocals.
Comprising Jamie Hendry (vocals), Barrett Cawood (guitar), Jason Eedes (drums), and Mark Kenyon (bass), Jasper Dan draws inspiration from American rock, a passion passed down from Jamie Hendry’s father, for whom the band is named.
Known for their mature songwriting approach and commitment to delivering authentic rock and roll, Jasper Dan’s ascent was rapid. By 2016, they were landing significant gigs, including an opening slot for Iron Maiden during their ‘Book of Souls’ tour in Johannesburg. Their debut album, ‘A Southern Fling,’ launched in November 2016 at Rumours Lounge, marked a pivotal moment in their career. Subsequently, they have graced prestigious stages such as the South Africa Bike Festival, Splashy Fen, and the Artists Against Extinction Music Festival.
Beyond music, Jasper Dan is deeply involved in community initiatives, supporting causes like The Paige Project for children with cerebral palsy and conservation efforts against rhino poaching, reflecting their commitment to positive social impact.
With their infectious sound and genuine performances, Jasper Dan has carved out a distinctive place in the South African music scene. Their evolution from a cover band to an acclaimed original act underscores their dedication and camaraderie as a band. As they continue to grow, Jasper Dan remains true to their roots, bringing a taste of Southern Rock to audiences across South Africa and beyond.
Releases:
‘A Southern Fling’ (2016 Album)
‘Your Sugar Girl’ (2020 Single)
‘Hurricane (Live)’ (2022 Single)
‘The Soil (City of Gold)’ (2022 Single)
‘Crooked Kings’ (2023 Single)
‘Mama Voodoo’ (2024 Single)
All Links: https://linktr.ee/jasperdan