Music Giveaway + Interview: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings At Antone's

Does the band listen to vintage soul often on tour, or do you avoid it since that's the music you play? Also, what's a "new" act you enjoy right now?

Yeah. We listen to a lot of old Soul music. Also a lot of old South-African, Ethiopian, Gospel, Blues, Afrobeat and Latin music. Mostly old stuff, though. It usually sounds better than new stuff. There are some great new acts around, though. Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, Seun Kuti, The Budos Band to name a few.

Have you had bigger crowds at your gigs due to your notoriety from the Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson albums?

I don’t think so. I think public radio has helped us a lot. And word of mouth. The Winehouse and Ronson connections definitely opened up a lot of ears, but I’m surprised how rare it is that people at the shows found out about us through that stuff.

We've never seem the Dap-Kings live. Do you do any soul covers, or is it strictly your own material?

It’s almost all originals. We usually throw in a few James Brown tunes. "There Was A Time" is kind of a staple.

Who do you feel is the best soul/R&B act working today?

That’s a hard question! We recently saw Toots and the Maytals and he sounded amazing, like Wilson Pickett. Solomon Burke is a legend and still has the same beautiful voice. Lee Fields and Naomi Davis are two of the most soulful and compelling performers to ever walk the earth. But as far as a pure Dynamite Soul show, you can’t beat Sharon and the Kings!

You run a record label as well. What's happening with your other artists @ the moment? Do they ever support the Dap-Kings on tour?

The Budos Band is enjoying great success with their new record and knocking out audiences whenever they get a chance. The Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens album is currently being mixed. The Menahan Street Band (sampled on Jay-Z’s "Roc Boys") just finished mixing their full length. The Voices of Como (A capella gospel from Mississippi) is mastered and also ready to go. We also have new records coming by Binky Griptite, Charles Bradley, The Sugarman Three, and more. Whenever we can, we bring Daptone acts with us on the road.

Have the Dap-Kings ever played Antone's here in Austin before? Do you feel the atmosphere change in a club like that that's devoted to blues and soul music?

Yes, we’ve played Antone’s before. It’s a great club and we’re looking forward to playing there again!

Thanks for talking with Austinist.

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