BLAME IT ON EVE - An Interview With Shemekia Copeland

Shemekia Copeland is a powerhouse vocalist and a defining voice in contemporary blues. With her dynamic stage presence and soulful delivery, she has captivated audiences since the late 1990s. Born into a musical family as the daughter of Texas blues legend Johnny Copeland, Shemekia has carved out her own path, blending traditional blues with rock, soul, and Americana.

WORDS: Colin Campbell IMAGES: Supplied

Over the years, she has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Blues Music Awards and Grammy nominations, solidifying her status as a leading light in the genre. As her artistry evolves, Shemekia Copeland remains a vital and inspiring force in modern music. We discussed her musical journey, her newest release, Blame It On Eve, and more. She was in New York at the time.

SHEMEKIA’S MUSICAL JOURNEY

“I grew up around music, with my dad sitting around the house playing songs on his Ovation guitar— Jimmy Reed, Hank Williams, T-Bone Walker, and of course, Johnny Copeland songs. I listened to him write music and play, even when he was just in his underwear. That was my first introduction to music. At three years old, I started to sing along with him, and I loved it. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, watching my father’s career shaped my life. Ironically, I always thought I’d never want to do this; it seemed crazy to travel all over the world and stand on stage in front of so many people. But years later, I became that crazy person who loves it! I started going out with my dad when I was about nine or ten, just sitting in and singing a song with him. Although I was nervous at first, I grew to love it. As I’ve aged, being on stage has become more comfortable because the more secure you are in yourself, the better it feels. When I go on stage now, I give it 200% and try to be the best Shemekia I can be!”

BEST MUSICAL ADVICE YOU’VE HAD?

“My father always had it right. He would go on stage and give it everything he had. He also advised me never to read the press. He said, if you read the good stuff, you become cocky and arrogant, and if you read the bad, you become bitter and angry. I truly believe this advice helps keep you humble. You have to remember that your career could be here today and gone tomorrow, so enjoy the moment.”

MUSICAL INFLUENCES

“My dad, for sure—I thought he had one of the best voices ever. My mom also had a beautiful voice, though she was never a professional singer. I admired Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, and gospel singers, especially the male quartets. As a kid, I wanted to sound like a man! That’s why I loved Koko’s voice, which was rough and raw, like Tina Turner’s or Big Maybelle’s. Howlin’ Wolf had a cool voice too. I pride myself on being unique—when I sing, I want people to instantly recognize me as Shemekia.”

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS

“I’d say don’t get into the business if you don’t really love it because the music business sucks. We do this because we get to perform, travel, and meet amazing people. That’s the best part. But the business itself is pretty terrible.”

DO YOU STILL ENJOY TOURING LIFE?

“I don’t really love touring anymore. For me, touring means being on the road for a very long time, and that’s not something I want to do now that I have a little one at home. I love being at home, so I prefer to go out, do my shows, meet the people, and then come back home. Being out on the road for weeks at a time is no longer for me.”

LAST TIME WE SPOKE, YOU HAD JUST PLAYED THE OPEN AIR BLUES FESTIVAL IN BREZOI. HOW WAS IT?

“I loved it! It was my second time in Romania and my first time at that festival. The audience was awesome. Even though it was more of a rock crowd, they loved and accepted what I was doing.”

BLAME IT ON EVE – THE RECORDING PROCESS

“When I make an album, I want to listen to the songs in order, like when I first listened to vinyl. Although there are many ways to listen to music now, that’s important to me. My last three records were serious, but this one is a departure. It has a lighter feel, though I’m still dealing with important issues—like women’s rights and climate change, which are big for me. I even included an educational song, ‘Tee Tot Payne,’ which makes me happy.”

TRACK TALK

Blame It On Eve: “With all the rights being taken away from women in America, I felt the need to address that in a way that people could accept. This song does that.”

Tough Mother: “I’ve been through a lot, especially in recent years. This song covers some of it, which is great.”

Broken High Heels: “This song addresses climate change and deniers. We see the world changing, but nobody seems to care.”

Down On Bended Knee: “One of my dad’s songs—singing it makes me feel like he’s wrapping a warm blanket around me.”

Heaven Help Us All: “I wanted to break this song down, make it smaller, and let the words speak for themselves. The lyric ‘heaven help us all’ really resonates today.”

SONGWRITING PROCESS

“Lyrics always come first, then the music. John Hahn, Will Kimbrough, and I are like a dream team—we’re so like-minded that we can finish each other’s sentences. Our relationship is pretty wonderful. Since making blues records doesn’t involve a lot of money, we have many conversations before entering the studio to ensure we’re well-prepared. We don’t waste time or money on extra songs that won’t make it on the album. I love being live with the band in the studio—it’s more authentic.”

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SONG?

“The truth. That’s what makes a good song—the truth and how it makes a person feel. I’m a blues singer at heart, but I do American roots music. I pull from country, bluegrass, gospel, soul—just all American roots music.”

WHAT DOES THE BLUES MEAN TO YOU?

“My daddy used to say, ‘If it wasn’t for the blues, I wouldn’t weigh over ninety pounds.’ For me, it’s meant everything—it’s a lifeline.”

DOES BLUES MUSIC MATTER TO A YOUNGER GENERATION?

“I think so. When I see young African American kids like Kingfish, D.K. Harrell, Jontavious Willis, Stephen Hull, and Mathias Latin playing blues, it makes me happy. They’re studying, loving the music, and getting it.”

WHAT WOULD YOU MEASURE AS SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE?

“Being a mom and doing what you love for a living—that’s success for me. I think we all struggle with waking up and choosing to be happy. But I choose to see the glass as half full. If I weren’t a musician, I’d be a radio DJ, which I’ve been doing for five years now on Sirius XM. I love it because it’s another way to connect with people.”

FINALLY, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE BLUES MATTERS READERSHIP?

“You’re lucky to have Blues Matters! It’s an amazing magazine and outlet for real music fans. Be grateful you have it because without it, you might not hear about artists like Shemekia Copeland!”

For more information, visit shemekiacopeland.com