The JT Lockwood Band
Hallowell, Maine, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Maybe there’s something in the water. Maybe there’s a genetic predisposition developed from living in a particular geographic area. Or maybe it’s just that like-minded, creative people attract one another, like magnets. Regardless of the reason, Hallowell is a remarkably fertile town for music, with a multitude of local bands and artists, several venues, and a recording studio all within its borders.
Singer-songwriter J.T. Lockwood is one of those musicians who was born and bred in Hallowell, and though it took a few years away for him to realize it, while he was growing up he had the best musical education a guy could ask for. Between music in his family and the overarching influence of Steve Jones, a Hallowell resident who founded perennially popular Maine band the Boneheads, Lockwood honed his chops at a very young age.
“As a teenager, I think there was just always music around, so it sparked my interest. My older brothers played guitar, so I probably wanted to emulate them,” said Lockwood, who now plays with the J.T. Lockwood Band. “I was playing bars when I was a kid. By the time I was 21, I’d played in a band for five years and had already put out a couple albums. I had really good training.”
In 2004, Lockwood went out on his own, living in Florida and Boston and trying his hand at a solo career. It resulted in one album, a 2006 LP. By 2008, Lockwood knew he was missing a crucial element of why he got into music in the first place: playing in a real band. When he returned to Hallowell that year, he ran into Bert McDonald, an Oakland-based guitarist he’d casually known for years but had never really played with. After an evening of jamming, they realized they complimented each other’s styles very well, and decided to put together a real band – not just a bunch of hired guns to pump up Lockwood’s songs.
“You can always hire musicians to play with you, but nothing beats having a real band,” said Lockwood. “You practice, you develop chemistry, you begin to be able to read each other. You can’t force that. That just comes naturally.”
Lockwood and McDonald were joined by brothers Justin and Thom Bureau on bass and drums, respectively, and have since spent the past three years developing that rapport Lockwood missed so much from his younger years playing music. Last year, they recorded a self-titled debut, which they released in October. The album is a limber, funky collection of songs that are rooted in rock, but fleshed out by some reggae and jam band-influenced grooves, as on the horn-laden “Figured Out” and the rootsy “Better Off.” Lockwood writes from the gut, so what his songs lack in cerebral wordplay they make up for in heartfelt playing and accessibility.
“I’m not overly theoretical,” said Lockwood. “I’m obsessed with melody. That’s what comes first for me."
Lockwood and his band have been playing live regularly, with two shows coming up next weekend, including Friday, Feb. 1 at T&B’s in Waterville, and Saturday, Feb. 2 at The Rack in Carrabassett. Recording and releasing an album is all well and good, but playing live is what Lockwood really relishes – something he’s been doing since he was a kid, absorbing music in Hallowell.
“I’m lucky that I got to learn all this from such talented people,” he said. “What I love about Hallowell is that you don’t have to look on TV for the people you look up to. They’re the ones recording your album. I think it’s only gotten more momentum now, as time has progressed. It’s made me who I am.”
- Bangor Daily News Emily Burnham
Maybe there’s something in the water. Maybe there’s a genetic predisposition developed from living in a particular geographic area. Or maybe it’s just that like-minded, creative people attract one another, like magnets. Regardless of the reason, Hallowell is a remarkably fertile town for music, with a multitude of local bands and artists, several venues, and a recording studio all within its borders.
Singer-songwriter J.T. Lockwood is one of those musicians who was born and bred in Hallowell, and though it took a few years away for him to realize it, while he was growing up he had the best musical education a guy could ask for. Between music in his family and the overarching influence of Steve Jones, a Hallowell resident who founded perennially popular Maine band the Boneheads, Lockwood honed his chops at a very young age.
“As a teenager, I think there was just always music around, so it sparked my interest. My older brothers played guitar, so I probably wanted to emulate them,” said Lockwood, who now plays with the J.T. Lockwood Band. “I was playing bars when I was a kid. By the time I was 21, I’d played in a band for five years and had already put out a couple albums. I had really good training.”
In 2004, Lockwood went out on his own, living in Florida and Boston and trying his hand at a solo career. It resulted in one album, a 2006 LP. By 2008, Lockwood knew he was missing a crucial element of why he got into music in the first place: playing in a real band. When he returned to Hallowell that year, he ran into Bert McDonald, an Oakland-based guitarist he’d casually known for years but had never really played with. After an evening of jamming, they realized they complimented each other’s styles very well, and decided to put together a real band – not just a bunch of hired guns to pump up Lockwood’s songs.
“You can always hire musicians to play with you, but nothing beats having a real band,” said Lockwood. “You practice, you develop chemistry, you begin to be able to read each other. You can’t force that. That just comes naturally.”
Lockwood and McDonald were joined by brothers Justin and Thom Bureau on bass and drums, respectively, and have since spent the past three years developing that rapport Lockwood missed so much from his younger years playing music. Last year, they recorded a self-titled debut, which they released in October. The album is a limber, funky collection of songs that are rooted in rock, but fleshed out by some reggae and jam band-influenced grooves, as on the horn-laden “Figured Out” and the rootsy “Better Off.” Lockwood writes from the gut, so what his songs lack in cerebral wordplay they make up for in heartfelt playing and accessibility.
“I’m not overly theoretical,” said Lockwood. “I’m obsessed with melody. That’s what comes first for me."
Lockwood and his band have been playing live regularly, with two shows coming up next weekend, including Friday, Feb. 1 at T&B’s in Waterville, and Saturday, Feb. 2 at The Rack in Carrabassett. Recording and releasing an album is all well and good, but playing live is what Lockwood really relishes – something he’s been doing since he was a kid, absorbing music in Hallowell.
“I’m lucky that I got to learn all this from such talented people,” he said. “What I love about Hallowell is that you don’t have to look on TV for the people you look up to. They’re the ones recording your album. I think it’s only gotten more momentum now, as time has progressed. It’s made me who I am.”
- Bangor Daily News Emily Burnham
What I like about this the solo debut of Joel Lockwood, titled
"A Chance For Change," is that its not at all what you'd expect from an artist in the singer-songwriter genre - in short, this lad rocks!' - Lucky Clark, Blethen Maine Newspapers
"I have been playing J.T. Lockwood's debut CD regularly on WCLZ- FM. In addition to some very radio-friendly songs, the CD is very well produced and he has a killer backing band!"
- Charlie Gaylord
Discography
"The JT Lockwood Band" 2012
"A Chance for Change" 2006
Photos
Bio
Upbeat, passionate, and heartfelt; the words used to describe the music of Northeast Acoustic Pop Rockers The JT Lockwood Band
Hailing from Hallowell, Maine, a town known for its vibrant music and art scene, JT Lockwood (Vocals, Guitar) has spent much of the last decade writing and performing his own version of acoustic rock. Amidst an assembly of talented local musicians, JT emerged as a solo artist and began writing what would eventually become his 2006 debut album, “A Chance for Change.”
Lockwood’s songs form an honest connection with his audience, which is something many musicians strive for, but few seem to achieve. “I feel it’s important to pay homage to a sound that is both familiar and comfortable, before you can offer an audience something completely new,” explains Lockwood. “It’s sort of like earning their trust, before you demand it.”
The rest of the band shares this sentiment. Bert Macdonald (Lead Guitar, Vocals) has been a part of the band’s signature sound since it’s formation in 2008... “I’d like to think that when it comes to music, I’ve got a pretty good vision of what works, and what doesn’t.” Bert has been performing throughout New England for over 10 years. “Most of my musical influences aren’t commercially successful, so I do my best to bridge the gap (stylistically) between what I know, and what I think people will enjoy.”
While Lockwood and Macdonald rely heavily on their own intuition to connect with the audience, brothers Justin (Bass, Vocals) and Thom Bureau (Drums, Vocals) use their conventional training to secure the rhythm section. Originally from Lynn, Massachusetts, Justin taught bass as a private instructor for 3 years before studying Jazz at the University of Maine. Thom studied percussion throughout high school and went on to perform with the Boston Crusader Drum Corps. from 2000-2004. These were national tours that placed him in front of hundreds of thousands of people. In spite of an extremely polished skill set, the brothers still play with an unmistakable amount of “feel.” The hodgepodge of styles and influences create a unique blend of traditional timing and contemporary groove.
“There's a big difference between musicians that are just playing together, and having an identity as a band,” says Lockwood. “The struggle has always been finding a group of talented players that are committed to the same goal. I believe with this lineup we have formed something special.”
The JT Lockwood Band will be playing dates within the Northeast in support of their new album, which was released October 9th 2012.
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