Today we’d like to introduce you to L.j. Cates
Hi L.J., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t into music. I grew up listening to all the popular music of the 90’s in the car with my mom, and my dad’s Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton tapes. Hearing Jimi Hendrix in a car commercial around 11 is what set me being a musician into motion. After that my cousin and I started playing together at church, talent shows, nursing homes, ice cream shops, sidewalks, wherever we could set up in our small town. I moved to Memphis around 2010, and between 2011-2013 I played with the Delta Project every weekend on Beale Street. That’s where I got to meet one of my musical mentors Dr Herman Green. Towards the end me and a couple members started a blues rock band, Stone Stew Jubilee, that mostly played around Memphis and North Mississippi. After about 5 years in the blues rock trenches it was time for something fresh, so I decided to focus on his new interest, R&B, Soul, and Jazz. I helped found a new R & B band SJ & the Outcry, and started joining Bohemian Wednesdays every week at the Dizzy Bird Lounge. Going from loud guitar based music to R&B and Jazz taught me a lot about being a musician instead of just a guitar player, and how to be present. As 2017 was closing, a few friends and I had formed a Psychedelic Soul Jazz band called Outer Ring and had a great opportunity to start a weekly residency at a new art bar called Canvas. From 2017-2019 we had the place levitating every Tuesday. Some nights the band would be 10 musicians deep, it was magic. In 2017 another group of friends I have came together to form what would become Left Unsung, a Grateful Dead tribute band. We went out on many a limb musically and most of the time it worked. I really learned how to be a patient player with this group, because when you’re improvising that big moment needs to be built and not rushed. I was burnt out from playing so much, and life was doing what it does towards the end of 2019. Then there was COVID, so the break I had planned was cemented anyway. In 2023 we got Left Unsung going again and I decided I would focus on my originals. Now I’ve self released three singles, and am in the process of booking shows around the Mid-South. Currently my focus is more Americana/Roots music that blends in some aspects of psychedelia.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been the easiest. It’s been great meeting a lot of great musicians and getting to connect and create, but Memphis isn’t the most receptive place when it comes to an audience. You’re mostly playing to other musicians if you’re not very well known or at a popular bar playing covers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would say I’m probably mostly known for playing guitar in jam bands around town. I really love improvising and creating something new with bands and the audience. Recently, I’ve been more focused on my songwriting and trying to find my voice. I’m very proud of how my originals have been translating live lately. I’ve been trying them in different styles lately to find the perfect vibe for them and so far they’ve sounded great. I think what sets my apart is the bending of genres, I want to go from roots music to the most outer space heavy experience in one song, but it still feel authentic.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Man, if you’re not taking risks you might as well stay in bed when the alarm goes off. I’ve embarrassed myself so many times as a musician, but i don’t look at those experiences with shame. I learned a lot from every one of those instances. All of my growth has been having an idea of what I would find exciting, and jumping into it. I was very hesitant about forming my own band and doing originals for a long time, but earlier this year I decided it was time to get off the sidelines and just go for it. It was rocky and still is somewhat but experience is the greatest teacher. I could easily still be sitting here eight months later waiting for ‘the right moment’, but that never comes. You just have to take the leap and trust yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ljcates.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l.j.cates.music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ljcatesmusic/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6eleXxkBzTwzZ6Nx3FeoHi?si=bR0E8fC4S_2XyjCRAu7H6w
