Page 64 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2025 Digital Edition

Taj Farrant. Photo by Melanie MacLeod Danny “Guitarwood” Garwood. Photo by Mike Garwood

as well as physical copies. A few distribute via Distrokid to get focus right now, but when it comes to other activities, he finds
their music to those main platforms. a way to make it all work.
Young Rell shares that he’s written hundreds of songs so “I just have to take time off school, which can be difficult
far and has had his own publishing company since he was 14 with all the missing work,” says Danny, “but it’s definitely
years old. He’ll be sharing on all streaming platforms soon. worth it because I love playing music.”
Meaza has an album coming out later this year. Taj released “My social life solely exists because I play music,” says
his debut album, Chapter One, in August 2024, featuring Andrew. However, balancing academics along with shows
nine originals and two covers. Danny has an original out has been something he’s had to navigate since age 12 and
called “Two Wrongs,” and has written a few others that will even now, as a sophomore in college. But, he says, “The few
be released soon. points that come off of my GPA are merely a representation of
“I do a lot of songwriting − individually and as a co-writer my dedication to music.”
in multiple genres – some for myself and some for other artists,” “I can make friends easily,” shares Kiersi. “And my career
says Kiersi. She has several singles for download/streaming, hasn’t affected my schooling. I’m homeschooled and online
and her newest single, “Blood On Fire,” came out in April college provides flexibility. I also teach and train in Brazilian
2025. Rhys has added solos on a few other artists’ recordings Jiu-Jitsu throughout the week, but my supportive coaches allow
and says he can’t wait to work on his own music. Andrew has me to take off for a gig when needed.”
released several genre-bending originals. Lucian writes for his “My sister and I are homeschooled,” shares Taj, “and
band Sonorous, and they are currently working on an EP which my mum and dad are also my managers, so they are always
will include a New Zealand tour next summer. making sure that we have a well-balanced schedule.”
When asked if they’ve had a chance to share the stage “My school experience is definitely not normal,” explains
with some famous artists, the responses were a resounding Rhys. “As an autistic person, I always struggled with school.
gratefulness for the opportunities they’ve been given. The lists Learning music gave me something positive to work on. I
were long and varied – from Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” have guitar lessons every week with my teacher Adam, and
Ingram, Eric Gales, Billy Branch, Bob Margolin and Ally I do home learning with my mum. The blues has given me
Venable, to Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Dan Patlansky, friendships and a social life I didn’t really have before. It
Orianthi, Cheap Trick and The Marshall Tucker Band, to name changed my life for the better.”
a few. Several have been called back multiple times to open “I have a few friends at high school,” say Meaza, “but I
for a few of these artists. am busy several nights a week, and traveling at least once or
“I have opened for Kelli Baker, toured as an opener for twice a month for music, so I am not available very often to go
Amanda Fish, performed with Annika Chambers, the Wooten hang out. Music comes first and that is where I find the most
Brothers, all the greats at Pinetop Perkins Foundation and at joy – hanging out with other musicians.”
The Rhythm Room with Bob Corritore,” shares Meaza. “There “Music is my full-time job, with a side gig at a food cart,”
is a great tradition in the blues of bringing young talent on says Lucian. “Our gigs tend to take care of the socializing
stage. That is the way of the blues – keeping it going by side of things.”
mentoring the youth.” Lastly, we gathered some honest, common-sense and
“I would love to play with Marcus King,” says Lucian. heartfelt advice for other youth in the blues industry from these
“For me, he is the greatest living guitarist! (Marcus King if eight up-and-comers.
you’re reading this, give me a call brother!).” “Learn from your heroes and then learn from their heroes,”
So how does a working musician juggle social life and exclaims Rhys. “Blues is a road map of shared stories; there’s
school life? Young Rell explains that music is his full-time always someone new to find. My belief is that I have a responsibility

62 Blues Festival Guide 2025