Justine Blazer & Lauren Anderson “Ain’t No Cure Like The Blues” Music Video Premiere
“We started chatting about life and its ups and downs and kept coming back to this concept that there’s nothing like the blues to pick you up when life knocks you down. We’re both fans of Bonnie Raitt as well and next thing we knew we were writing a fun, Bonnie Raitt style tune!” Meeting at an industry party to booking a co-writing session. Raitt’s roots-influenced songs incorporate elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. Which songs of hers would you add to a “Ain’t No Cure Like The Blues” playlist?
Justine Blazer (JB): Wow! So many songs I love, but I will try and narrow it down. Haha. I absolutely love “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” her John Prine cover of “Angel From Montgomery,” “Love Me Like a Man,” “Slow Ride,” “Good Man, Good Woman,” “Have a Heart,” and of course “Something to Talk About.”
Lauren Anderson (LA): Definitely “Thing Called Love,” “Something to Talk About,” and “Finest Loving Man.”
Recorded at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. “The heart and soul of heart and soul!” The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as The Swampers) opened the studio in 1969. They worked with artists like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Etta James playing a unique style of funky R&B. Can you describe how special it was to record in the same studio as these legendary artists?
JB: It was such a magical experience. From the vintage smell of the studio, the original studio aesthetics, all the Gold and Platinum records hanging in the halls, the original analog console, the original piano that “Free Bird” was written and recorded on, it truly was the most incredible session, and I think you hear that magic in our track.
LA: You can immediately feel the history when you walk into the studio. The greats and the history were definitely with us as we recorded.
Vibey cover art. “Side effects may include increased grooviness, elevated coolness and cure to all ailments.” How did you choose the cover art to best represent the song’s message?
JB: We had a couple of choices. We sent them to our band and team, and everyone agreed that the image where we are listening to old Blues and Soul records was the best choice, so we went with it!
LA: Hanging with an old record player and listening to old records felt like the epitome of the blues. It just fit.
Debuted at #2 on iTunes. Added to the Spotify curated Got Blues playlist and Joe Bonamassa’s Cutting Edge Blues playlist. Nominated for the Elite Music Awards’ “Collaboration of the Year” and the Hollywood Independent Music Awards “Best Blues Song.” How does getting on playlists like this help get your song out to new fans?
JB: When you are indie blues artists like us, every little bit of recognition goes so far! We are excited people are digging this tune!
LA: These playlists help put our music in the ears of new fans. Helps us reach people that may not have found us otherwise.
Interpreting the lyrics, creating a story, capturing the mood of the song. What was the process you used to create the storyboard for the video?
JB: Whenever I do music videos, I try not to overcomplicate the process. I like to have a general idea, create a treatment, but when we get there, we just go with the flow.
Filmed at The Paper House, a ranch in East Nashville. How did you organize your film crew?
JB: We have a very small team. We go scene to scene, shot to shot and keep a good flow and energy. We like to create the magic in real time and that translates into natural visuals.
“Staying on top of the current technologies is critical for me!” How did you incorporate your ProMedia Training-Pro Tools Certification to edit the video?
JB: Getting formal audio and tech training in Pro Tools with ProMedia Training has been a game changer. I work at this daily, producing music, and my goal is always to streamline myself to get faster and more efficient.
What message do you hope fans take away from the song and video?
JB: Life can get complicated but your music choice shouldn’t be. When I listen to the Blues, life feels easier in that moment.
LA: No matter what you’re going through, the blues is there to help.
JUSTINE BLAZER
LAUREN ANDERSON