In Conversation With J Lee Stevens of J Lee and The Hoodo Skulls

Jason Lee Stevens, son of legendary artist Shakin' Stevens, discusses his band 'The Hoodoo Skulls', his father, new album 'Beggars Soul', and new single 'Baby Blue', released 5th March

J Lee and the Hoodo Skulls formed when lead singer J Lee Barratt had a yearning to make a traditional rock n’ roll/blues album. J Lee has been around roots music all his life, what with having legendary singer Shakin’ Stevens as his father, and it’s this foundation that led to his love of roots and blues music.

Contacting his long time friend and writing partner Harun Kotch (lead guitarist and producer) they set about writing and developing the first ideas for the album, but traditional seemed to go out the window and a much more edgy, gutsy riff-laden sound was to form, all still be it heavily in roots music.

Luke Williams (bass) joined the band not long into the process, a singer/songwriter in his own right, but has recently left to be replaced by Michael Hartnett. Wayne Riches, a long-term friend of J Lee, completes the line-up on drums. Wayne was originally the drummer for Skin of Skunk Anansie and is a well-toured veteran of roots music.

The band released their first single ‘Woman’, followed by ‘2 Bit Lovers’, both successfully gaining immediate interest on YouTube with over 30,000 views and instantly stamping their authority on the roots music scene.

J Lee and The Hoodoo Skulls recently released their debut album ‘Black Moon’ in 2019, on the back of a very successful support slot for Shakin’ Stevens’ ‘All The Hits and More’ tour, gaining them even more notoriety with fans and music press.

The band were also invited to play at the ‘Under The Apple Tree’ sessions with the legendary 'Whispering' Bob Harris.

J Lee and The Hoodoo Skulls are releasing the highly anticipated new album ‘Beggars Soul’ in the summer of 2021.