Hey there, it's Vincent Jacob. And can you believe it's a new year already? Time flies, am I right? But here we are, staring down the barrel of a brand new year, and you know what that means - resolutions.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of resolutions. They always seem to set me up for disappointment. I always have the best intentions, but then life gets in the way and I find myself falling short of my goals. But I also get that for a lot of people, a new year is a chance to start fresh and set some goals. It's a chance to put the past behind us and focus on the present and the future. And as a podcast creator, I know how important it is to have a clear vision and some direction. It helps to keep me motivated and focused, and it gives my work some purpose.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, go ahead and make those resolutions if it helps you. But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. And above all, be kind to yourself. We all have setbacks and that's a natural part of the journey. Don't beat yourself up if you stumble along the way. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.
As for me, I'm feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation about what the new year holds. I've got some big goals and plans that I'm working towards, but I'm also taking it one day at a time and seeing what comes my way. I have so many interests and it can be overwhelming at times, but I've learned to take it one day at a time. There's the podcast, of course, but I also have my analog photography career and my band Yard Of Blondes.
I'm happy to say that I've finally found the direction for our new record and I'm about halfway through. I used my time off in December to refine and write more songs, and it's been a great experience, especially when I spent a few days in a cabin in Lake Arrowhead.
Fanny and myself working on new songs in Lake Arrowhead. Picture by David Gitis.
And as for my podcast and webzine, Hanging On Sunset, there are definitely some new things brewing. I don't want to give too much away just yet, but let's just say we've got some exciting stuff in the works. We'll fill you in on all the details later, because as usual, I'm fucking late. I've still got 8 interviews from last year that I need to process and edit. Gosh, how did it get to be January already? But I digress.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Janie Hendrix, the sister of the legendary musician Jimi Hendrix. And let me tell you, if you thought Zoom interviews were tough, try conducting one with a connection that keeps dropping like a rollercoaster. This was one of the shortest interviews I've had, and it's not because Janie wasn't a great interviewee - trust me, she was fantastic - it's just that the connection kept breaking and it was a tedious task to try to go in depth.
Listening to the interview now, it seems all over the place, but hey, what are you gonna do? That's just the way it is. Despite the technical issues, it's still a fascinating glimpse into the short life of a genius guitar player. Janie shared with me her insights on Jimi's life and career, including her own experiences seeing him perform and the process of putting together a book on his life.
We talked about the book, which is a coffee table affair featuring high quality reproductions of pictures and other memorabilia from Jimi's life and career. It includes rare and previously unseen material, like childhood drawings and handwritten lyrics, as well as stuff borrowed from collectors. The book chronicles Jimi's life and career in a comprehensive and chronological way, making it a must-have for any Hendrix fan or anyone interested in music history. It's a high quality product, with a heavy weight and beautiful reproductions of the pictures, and I have a feeling it's gonna be a hot item for collectors.
We also talked about Johnny Hallyday, the French rock star, and I was really interested to discover in the book that Johnny had something to do with Jimi's rise to fame. As a French person myself, I was fascinated to learn that it was actually Johnny who first hired Jimi on a tour in Europe. And it was because of this tour that they built the Jimi Hendrix Experience band around him!
Now, I'll be honest with you, I usually prefer in-person interviews because they allow for a deeper and more personal connection. But even though this interview was over Zoom and had all the technical finesse of a drunk giraffe, I have to say it was a real honor to speak with Janie on the occasion of her brother's 80th birthday. And let me tell you, this book she's releasing for the occasion is gonna be a must-have for any Hendrix fan. Don't sleep on it.
If you want to get in touch with us, you can find us on Instagram at @hangingonsunset or via email at hangingonsunset@gmail.com. Here's to a great new year, and all the possibilities it brings!
- Vincent Walter Jacob
Jimi and Janie