A Few Before Voodoo with Pimps of Joytime

All week, NoDef is gearing up for this year's Voodoo Music Experience by talking to the some of the artists who will take the City Park stages this weekend. Today, Jillian Firnhaber talks to Brian J of Brooklyn's Pimps of Joytime.

Pimps of Joytime say that their main interest is “making people sweat.” The five-piece group hails from Brooklyn, but their front man grew up busking on the streets of New Orleans. With influences ranging from Afro-beat to New Orleans' own Cyril Neville, the eclectic group is sure to put on a show at Voodoo Fest this Friday.

“When I first started coming to New Orleans, the thing I couldn’t believe was that the music was still alive. Things you thought hadn’t existed for fifty years were still going on,” front man Brian J. says. “You still feel it down there, in the culture and in the musicians.”

Founded in 2007, the band at times sounds like a modern day Sly and the Family Stone. Brian’s New Orleans influence can certainly be felt on songs like “Janxta Funk” which prominently feature trumpet and hand-held drums. But on “San Francisco Bound” Pimps of Joytime sound like a psychedelic soundtrack from the 1970s. The variety of styles makes them tricky to define.

Pimps of Joytime will only be in the Crescent City for one “crazy” day this time, although Brian J. says he prefers to come at least a couple times a year, just to get re-energized by the city.

“I love festival season, but my favorite time is just regular, non-festival New Orleans," he said.

After Voodoo, the Pimps of Joytime will continue with their tour of the Southeast, ending their tour with the annual Jam Cruise which sets sail in January.

“Jam Cruise is like a festival you can’t escape. I don’t want to say that, because maybe you don’t want to escape,” he said.

Joining Pimps of Joytime at sea will be New Orleans staples such as Dumpstafunk and Galactic, with whom Brian J. has worked with in the past. When asked how much they fraternize, Brian gets excited. The Jam Cruise is a time when we can just “kick it” and “swap battle stories” with other bands, he says. Cyril Neville in particular is an artist for whom Brian has much respect.

In fact, he has a side-project called The Whip which brings him together with New Orleans musicians once a year at Jazzfest. They regularly perform at Blue Nile between Jazz Fest weekends. Although Brian J. loves New Orleans, he’s not anticipating being back in town until Jazzfest. Pimps of Joytime’s hectic schedule will not allow it.

Brian J. is coy when asked what special plans he has for the Halloween-oriented crowd. When asked if the band will dress in costume or pull any shenanigans he only offers, “It’s a good possibility.”

Pimps of Joytime play Friday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. on the WWOZ/Bud Light Stage.

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