American Idol Alum Jovin Webb Shares the ‘Process’ and ‘Journey’ Behind Debut Album, Drifter
When Baton Rouge-based blues artist Jovin Webb sings, everyone listens, and that's truer than ever today, Oct. 18, with the release of his debut album, Drifter.
After making a name for himself on the 18th season of American Idol, he's here to tell his story, and over a dozen tracks, Drifter combines elements of Southern rock with blues and soul with emotive, confessional writing to create something all Jovin's own, with his enchantingly raspy vocals as the cherry on top. From "Bottom of a Bottle" to "Mine Someday" and "Save Me," Jovin demonstrates his natural abilities as a storyteller again and again. We had the pleasure of chatting with Jovin's ahead of today's release to get the full story on Drifter, which he graciously shared with us in the interview below.
Sweety High: What does the album title Drifter mean to you?
Jovin Webb: To me, the title Drifter is just a reflection of my life, whether it's relationships, career, religion or just everyday living. I'm just drifting around trying to figure it all out. I'm sure most people can relate to that.
(Photo credit: KVSH Productions)
SH: Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?
JW: I felt that "I'm a Drifter" was the best title to represent the album because it's the best in showing the wild side of my life and things I feel and experience on a daily basis.
SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album?
JW: There is no particular overall theme. It's just a peek into my own personal blues and how I deal with each scenario.
SH: What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?
JW: I want fans to feel nostalgia. I want them to feel as though they've taken a time machine to the old days of the true blues but with a new edge—my edge!
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SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?
JW: If I could describe the sound of the album, I'd just call it Southern blues and rock with a flavor throughout the album that hopefully everyone can enjoy.
Producer Tom Hambridge and I sat down and wrote some songs. I gave him an idea of what I wanted and he put together the perfect team to bring it to life. He's great at what he does.
(Photo credit: KVSH Productions)
SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you are in life right now?
JW: The songs on the album represent my past, present and future. All of the songs were from different parts of my life. The hopeful songs are me now as well as some of the not so pretty wild side. I'm still drifting.
SH: What's your favorite song on the album? Why?
JW: My most favorite song from the album is "Bottom of a Bottle" because it's so bluesy and dirty. But it's really hard for me to choose because they all have their significance.
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SH: Was there anything that surprised you about the process of recording and putting together your debut album?
JW: I wasn't surprised about the process of making the album. I was more surprised my voice didn't give out on certain days we were recording. We did like six songs in one one day. It was crazy but fun, pushing my limits.
SH: How are you feeling about releasing it to the world?
JW: I'm so happy, scared, relieved and blessed to be able to finally have my own product out there to be seen and heard. It's a dream come true.
(Photo credit: KVSH Productions)
SH: Is there anything else we should know about Drifter?
JW: I would like people to know that Drifter isn't a destination; it's a process and a journey. There will be more form me as I live, succeed and fail at this thing called life. To the drifters, keep drifting.
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