Among the most interesting soul voices currently in the United States, Durand Jones has just released his first solo album, he who made a name for himself with his group The Indications. An album like an ode to his native Louisiana, and more particularly his hometown of Hillaryville.
“The dream place to live“. In his first solo album, Durand Jones had to present his hometown, Hillaryville, so he placed an interlude at the beginning of his album, The Place You’d Most Want To Live, SO. Haven of peace founded by former slaves on the banks of the Mississippi, this city built it in its simplicity and the destitution of its childhood, and shaped its voice.
“I wanted to make an album that the 17-year-old ‘me’ would be proud of.”
Durand Jonesat franceinfo
Stars in the eyes, to explain the variety of genres found on this first disc, well beyond its stature as a soul singer: “At the time, the kid that I was was in a punk band, he sang gospel in church, he played classic jazz in school. There are so many sides to me, and I really wanted to show it on this record.“.
After three albums with his group The Indications, the one who had left his Louisiana for Indiana could only imagine this first solo album as follows: “I wanted to tell my story”. And even more than that:AT 17 years old, I was so eager to leave Hillaryville, to escape this place to see what was beyond the sugar cane fields… And when I found myself outside, I realized at how special this city was. It seemed very important to me to pay homage to him“Soul in his voice, Durand Jones is a formidable singer.
“In our world of masculinity, you have to be strong at all costs, but I find that there is nothing more masculine than not being afraid to show your emotions.”
Durand Jonesat franceinfo
It was therefore essential to tell oneself, with all one’s being. Durand Jones, of very modest origin, singer, black, homosexual, has always been aware of having to fight to make his voice vibrate. And there he wanted to show it, citing James Baldwin as a role model, “he who was not afraid of being vulnerable”. Durand Jones drew a kind of moral from it: “Confronting all these traumas, which have always been with me, showed me that being vulnerable could lead to an ultimate form of strength.“.
Durand Jones, much more than soul music | Yann Bertrand’s chronicle
listen
Durand Jones, Wait Til I Get Over (Dead Oceans). Album available. In concert on August 30 in Paris (Les Etoiles).