Page 20 - BiTS_05_MAY_2021

BiTS: Let’s talk about the memorial festival for your dad, Julian Piper. What are the plans now?
How is it coming along?

LP: Yeah, better since we last spoke, actually. I think we’re even more firm on the acts and we’re
going to be releasing the line up imminently within the next month. Getting the poster and all of
that stuff done. We’ve got over 30 bands, three stages.

There’s going to be a couple of different charities that we’re supporting, including the Delta Blues
Museum in Clarksdale. Also, Help Musicians, who are a UK based music charity who have given me
a lot of help over the last year. Yeah, all the bands are somehow going to be connected to dad.

Either people that he played with, was
friends with, worked with, everyone has
to have some kind of a connection there.

BiTS: I gather it’s going to be all over Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter,
the place in the Phoenix. Every bit of the EX4 3LS
place that’s available to put a band in.
Tel: 01392 667080
LP: Yeah, pretty much. Obviously, the
main auditorium, Voodoo Lounge and October 10, 2021 from 3pm
then there’s this new space out the back An all day festival of Blues & Roots to celebrate and
called The Workshop. That’s on the remember the extraordinary life of Topsham born British
blues guitarist, writer, promoter and record producer
ground floor and then we may also have Julian Piper.
some blues and soul DJ type stuff going

on. We’re going to have a merch stand Described in The Guardian as "one of the UK's foremost
champions of African-American blues", Julian not only
as well. Maybe get some t-shirts done played alongside leading US blues musicians but
and have lots of the Junkyard Angels produced, recorded, toured with and promoted their
archives. concerts in the UK and Europe. Often bringing these
acts to the South West with his band Junkyard Angels,
BiTS: Any big names that you’re able to some of these names included Phil Guy, Eddie Kirkland,

announce now? Tabby Thomas, Chris Thomas King, Carey & Lurrie
Bell, Lazy Lester and Louisiana Red.
LP: It depends what you class as big. Over the span of 4 decades Julian recorded & helped
There’s going to be people that you produce 11 albums - two of which won WC Handy
know of, Adam Sweet will be playing Awards.
with his band. Vince Lee, Jess
McAllister, they’re not huge names here,

but I think probably Ian Briggs will be performing. Craig Milverton. I’m not going to say too many
yet, but that’s just a little handful.

BiTS: I won’t push you any further because there’s stuff going on in the background, obviously. As
they say in the detective shows, Lucy, for the benefit of the tape, say what the date is, please.

LP: Sunday 10th of October.

BiTS: I think I remember seeing a message from Sam, saying that you could get tickets already.

LP: Yes, on the Exeter Phoenix website. (https://exeterphoenix.org.uk)

I’ll see you in October, if not before.

BiTS: Hopefully before.