"I ain't afraid to be a wanted man."
This credo from John Rosemonte perfectly sums up the attitude behind his uniquely tough brand of music. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, John Rosemonte is poised to burst on to the music scene with his hard as nails "Deathbed Blues." Combining elements of outlaw country, delta blues, and more, John has created a musical monster that is sure to make waves in the near future. John was kind enough to let us premier his new track "Down to the River" and even granted us an interview. Read on to gain some insight on your new favorite singer/songwriter..
Tell me about John Rosemonte. Introduce yourself to the world.
I'm just a blue collar, working class dude, from North Phoenix. I make Soulful, bluesy, country music for outlaws and outcasts alike.
What is your mission?
My mission is to enrich the lives of the impoverished and imprisoned people of the world. I stand for working class people. My mission is to smash the false dichotomy. I exist to offend the "right" and the "left" equally. From anti-gun right slacktivists, to dickheads who support the drug war, and mass incarceration. My mission is to be me.
What is the DEATHBED BLUES?
Death bed blues is everything. Death bed blues is the combination of my Styles mainly, but it's also my motto. It's the lyric style, the lifestyle, and the eclectic blend of genres that I was raised with. My mother was a traveling gospel singer since the age of 16, my grandpa was a traveling country singer in his younger days, and in the seventies my dad was a DJ, a funk bassist, and a saxophone player; but he spent my whole life playing piano and singing in the church. Growing up with so many different influences, like funk, soul, country, gospel, etc. You end up appreciating all music. That, plus the way that I grew up, is what brought about Deathbed Blues.
When did you start writing these songs?
I started writing these songs in November of 2016.
Who are these songs for?
These songs are for me in a sense, but they are mainly for people like me. People who value their struggle, and the way that it's shaped them. I don't believe in class warfare, my music is for everyone. But I think the people who will relate to it the most are the societal outcasts and modern outlaws of the world.
Who/what are some of your influences?
I was raised around so much music that I basically try to combine a little bit of everything that's remotely similar. From
James Brown to Johnny Cash. Merle Haggard, and Muddy Waters, Anthony Hamilton and Chris Stapleton. Credence Clearwater Revival and Sly and the Family Stone were the two biggest influences from my mom and Dad.
When can we expect a proper release?
By the summer of 2017, deathbed blues will be ready for the world.
Shows?
The goal is to have a grandiose first show, somewhere fancy, by the end of summer or early fall.
If you and Donald Trump were locked in a room together for 1 hour, what would happen?
Honestly man, as much as I hate the guy, I would have a discussion with him. I'd try to plead with him, and appeal to any empathy he may have. I'd simply do my best to persuade him to do what the people want him to do.
Tell me about the benefits of a lawless society.
Well first, there can be no lawless society. Even the jungle has its rules. In a society without central government, might makes right, just like in the animal kingdom. There will always be a power vacuum. The beauty of that is that the only masters, are the men you can't defeat. For people like me who have no desire for conquest, we can do whatever we want, with the only worry being our immediate safety. It has inherently more responsibility. But it's the only true form of freedom.
Is there anything you would like to plug?
Catalyst Studio, Paper Crane Films.
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