The following interview by Tommy Anderson originally appeared in the December 1, 2011 issue of seveneightfive magazine. With the upcoming International Blues Festival, held January 31 through February 4 in Memphis, we wanted to share this with you and encourage you to root for Two Blue, who will perform in the solo/duo category.

Two Blue, a side project of “Josh Vowell & the Rumble” is comprised of frontman Josh Vowell and harp extraordinaire Justin Shelton. The duo joined together to perform in the Topeka Blues Society competition, where the finalists compete at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. Josh and Justin will travel there in February.

1Q: If you could add any musician to your duo, who would it be?
Justin: Go online and look up the most ridiculously crazy Cajun box drummer, and that’s who I would add.
Josh: Cool sexy chick singer with a good defined voice like Samantha Fish, Bessie Smith, or Aretha Franklin.

2Q: What makes your band unique?
Josh: We were able to grow up with our generation’s music and take it back to the blues. We’ve combined the new-aged ideology of our generation with the blues ideology of the late 19th century.
Justin: We both have back grounds in heavy metal and I think that brings a lot, rhythmically, to the table.

3Q: What are the advantages/disadvantages of being a duo as opposed to a full-sized band?
Josh: There’s no rhythm section so it requires us to be on our toes but you don’t have to set up all the chords, drums, and extra instruments.
Justin: A duo doesn’t have the variety that a full sized band would have but it’s still fresh and produces a butterfly effect on the stomach.

4Q: What is the most palm-head-worthy moment of the duo’s musical career?
Justin: Showing up in Kansas City to perform and realizing all of the harmonicas have been left at home.

5Q: What bands or musicians have inspired or influenced your music?
Justin: John Nemeth, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sean Costello, and Tab Benoit.
Josh: Son House, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sean Costello.

Bonus question: What is your biggest message to the public?
Two Blue: Get out and support live music. There are too many forms of entertainment that are taking away from the majesty that is music.

[ story by Tommy Anderson| photo by Colin McMillan | Nathan Ham Photography ]