There’s no shortage right now of bands leaning on soul, blues and both, but with the new album, “Thieves & Yesterdays,” Dan Bubien & the Delta Struts demand some attention.
The third album from the Aliquippa singer-guitarist and first with the Delta Struts has a swampy Southern feel reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Black Crowes and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and it should also appeal to the fans who are packing shows by Pittsburgh’s The Commonheart.
The album ranges from the gentle soul of “Memphis Sky” to the dirty blues stomp of “Heavy Toll” to the SRV-style blues-funk of “Green Eyed Girl.” Shawn Mazzei joins the frontman for a thick, greasy two-guitar attack and bassist Christian Caputo and drummer Mark Pollera are the gears in the back.
Thus far, Mr. Bubien has earned some accolades — winning two Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania awards — played lots of regional festivals and opened for such esteemed artists as Valerie June, Robert Randolph, Tinsley Ellis and Shemekia Copeland.
The album will be released on Friday, after they do gigs at Jergel’s on Wednesday and the Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square, Thursday.
Here’s what he had to say about the Delta
Struts and the current project.
First off, what drew you to this style of music?
Well, my dad was a lifelong musician, and his idol was Jimmie Ross and The Jaggerz. He was a real good harmony singer, and soul music was his thing, so that’s what I would always hear coming from him and his band at an early age, and he would always preach to me about this soul music. As I got older and started taking an interest in playing music myself, I was drawn to blues. I think that just derives from pain and struggle. I had a serious knee injury in high school to deal with, so there was this physical pain I felt on top of the everyday struggles a teenager feels. Also, I think growing up in Pittsburgh, especially an area like Aliquippa, a tough town with hard-working, real, everyday folks, kind of drew me to what I perceived as real, working, roots music.
Were you at all intimidated to jump into this genre, given all its previous greatness?
Not at first. I don’t think I truly realized the level of greatness it possessed until later. I kinda had to learn how to evaluate my own music and what I was putting out, take a step back and get
really critical on how it compares to my hero’s. You get crushed and then learn a few things, get better, do it again and again.
Who are some of the musicians you most admired, or learned from the most?
Well, I kind of feel that you learn from the likes of what you’re striving to be and what you’re capable of, and you kind of admire what you’re not. But this record is certainly influenced by The Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Black Crowes, Marcus King, Jason Isbell, there’s John Lee Hooker in there and Dan Auerbach. That’s just a few of our inspirations for this record. I admire the likes of Otis Redding. James Carr is one of my favorite singers. The Stax records, the Muscle Shoals sound, that Southern soul thing really was what we were after. I’ve learned a lot from local musicians I’ve admired. My dad. I’ve gotten great advice and tips on singing from Morgan Maybray. I used to play in the Freedom Band and got to learn so much from Donnie Dread. I’ve learned a lot from watching The Commonheart. That’s just a few. So many, really.
So, what separates this album from the previous ones?
Well, for one, I think time. The more you do something the better you become at it, generally. Sonically, I think this album is right on point for serving the style of music me and the band wrote and wanted this album to feel and sound like. We recorded and mixed the album with Pete Drivere at Amperon Recorder in Youngstown, Ohio, to 2-inch tape. The drums, bass and rhythm guitars were all tracked live, so I think that gives the record an organic quality, sound and vibe. Lastly and most importantly, I think the biggest difference is that we took our time and really tried to do everything right collectively as a band. We rehearsed the songs and took the time and effort to figure out what works best for everyone’s part with the overall goal of serving what’s best for the song.
You’ve managed to open for some great artists along the way. What did you gain from those experiences?
I’ve gained a lot of insight through observations and conversations with the artists and sometimes management on how the business kinda works and the business models they use. Also, observing closely how an artist on a high level makes a show work, flow, how they can technically and stylistically capture an audience and keep them engaged and entertained and all that goes into it to achieve that. I’ve gotten tone secrets and tips, what gear works for this, what gear works for that if you’re trying to achieve a specific sonic thing. I’ve had many artist be so generous with that type of information which is really so amazing cause that kind of information is priceless!
Dan Bubien & the Delta Struts
Where and when: 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jergel’s, Marshal (free) and 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square, with JD Simo and The Semi-Supervillains ($10; ticketfly.com).
