– What’s the reason to come back to Europe, especially Holland?
Paul Pigat has booked another tour of Western Europe and so I’m back. The Cousin Harley tour will encompass more than The Netherlands.
I have been lucky in my life and I am grateful. I have been able to come to Europe every year since 2007 to perform. It started with a three week stint of Western Europe with Canada’s Premier Jump Blues act The Twisters and most recently with Canada’s Hottest Rockabilly act Cousin Harley.
Last year this time I was in Australia for three weeks alone after a Cousin Harley show and the year before I spent the same amount of time in Prague after a the Twisters played in Norway.
‘This time I thought I would proceed the Cousin Harley tour and perhaps play a few shows with my Dutch friends Patrick and William.’
– You’re playing in two fantastic bands. Is there something you’re missing, why do you want to go out on your own? Is that because you feel you want to be more than just a bassplayer?
Keith: ‘I don’t intend to leave the Twisters or Cousin Harley. I just miss fronting a band and singing to the folks. I love the feeling. When there is down time off the road with either band I can run around singing and playing my favorite tunes. I used to front allot and I always said “if I found a band in witch I only had to play the bass I’d be set”. Now I have exactly that and in spades. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.’
– What style are you gonna play, and why just that style?
Keith: ‘I plan on playing allot of roots music, rockabilly, old country, swing, that sort of thing. I am not trying to fit into a box of any kind I just am playing the tunes I love and enjoy playing. If I could play Bach I would but I can’t so I will play Johnny Cash in his stead. I am planning on playing several originals as I think that is the most important thing I can do as a player. As long as the people enjoy them I’ll play them. I’m not trying to put anyone into deep cerebral thought I just want to make em dance, drink, laugh and fornicate.
– How did you guys meet, and what are your expectations of playing together?
Keith: ‘I met the Engelen brothers in Apeldoorn, 2009 if my memory serves me correctly. I was headed outside the venue, (that I was to play), for some fresh air when in walks Patrick and William. Instantly I had the feeling I had met them before. They seemed to know me a little and I just couldn’t place where or when I had met them but I had a strong feeling. I immediately rushed to the proprietor and warned him of these fiendish fellows and strongly encouraged their removal from his establishment. He informed me ,(although he would like nothing better) he would not follow such a course as the younger brother William has an almost super human thirst for beer and he is depended on to help pay the bills. I conceded and engaged in conversation with the two. As it turns out they are not bad guys at all in fact I took to them very quickly. It was meant to be from the start, or shortly after the start. My Grandfather fought in Apledoorn with the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry so the town already had special meaning for me.
We have seen each other several times subsequently and have been working up to band status, I think we are going to rock it a very raw edged and traditional fashion.’
– If you should name some artists, who would be your main musical heroes?
Keith: ‘I would have to say Louis Armstrong, Hank Williams. Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley to name the big ones.’
Patrick: ‘Too much to name really but i’ll go ahead and name a few true originals; Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash, T-Bone Walker and Elvis Presley. For contemporary bands or artists i’d say; Nick Curran, Wayne Hancock, Cousin Harley, Rick Estrin and Joel Paterson. And the Paladins are of course somewhere in between the new and the old.’
William: ‘ T bone walker,Willie Dixon, there are many more but these guys had such an impact on me, just cant get enough of them.’
– When did you start playing music, and was there someone in particular who made you pick up the doublebass?
Keith: ‘I started on the guitar at around 12 years of age. I started on the banjo around 16 and was playing one on the street with my first band”Milking the Cow” when i came across Rockin’ Ronnie Hayward with the G.I.Blues in Vancouver. all great players who I know to this day, Ronnie was playing the Bass Fiddle and I had never seen anything like it before and I was hooked. I ended up building my first one in high school shop class and playing and recording with that monster for a couple of years. My life has gone in some funny ways since then, (like homesteading on a small remote Island for 10 years) but for the past 8 years I have been playing for my living and touring all over the place.’
William: ‘I start playin guitar when I was about 16. A few years later I got myself an electricbass, and about 2 years ago I got myself a doublebass, the real thing!
Yeah! My brother offcourse! and when i went to see the twisters i knew that was the instrument for me.. so keith and Patrick thanks!
– What can people expect when they go out to see you?
Keith: ‘People can expect friends playing the shit out of what they have and having a great time. Like my long time musician friend Ed Isaak says the band has to always have as much or more fun than the audience. It’s all about a good time. Bass Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar and lead Guitar and some great old and new tunes. In fact some tunes that are so old you may think they are new.’
Patrick: ‘They can expect a very talented bass player making the strangest faces while playing! But seriously, it’ll be a good mix between laid back country and high energy rockabilly in classic 3 piece band format.’
William: ‘three guys with a love for real music!”
– Do you guys have something to add?
Patrick: ‘Still looking for a few more places we can play, so drop us a line (Lectersblues@gmail.com)!’
[…] 13th. A while ago Fiona talked to Paul Interview with Cousin Harley’s Paul Pigat! and Keith: Keith Picot joins the RootsBrothers! Angel reviewed their latest album: Cousin Harley – It’s a sin (album […]