The Making of a Pot Star: The Jet Baker Interview Part II

In part one of our Jet Baker interview The Making of a Pot Star Jet told us all about his big break through High Times and touched on his work with Texas NORML. We delved into Jet's creative process and discussed the music he makes.

In Part II Jet gets personal, talks about musical influences and the decision to be made between weed or hash.

Please ensure that your safety belts are fastened, we are getting ready for lift-off...

EP: When we began this interview you were getting ready to play an event in support of Texas NORML in Austin. Are there any other dates beyond NORML on the horizon?
Jet: I’m planning some shows but I am not ready to announce the tour yet. It will be in select U.S. cities and several countries in Europe.

EP: Fave venue so far?
Jet: To perform at the Melkveg in Amsterdam is a rush. And my shows at Ruta Maya in Austin, Texas are a blast too. Each show and venue is different and the audience is (different) too. It makes my performance new to me each time.

EP: What is your ultimate dream venue?
Jet: I’d like to perform at the Superbowl.

EP: You produce your own CDs, tell us about the studio experience. Where do you record?
Jet: I record in my home studio. It’s great because I can record whenever I feel the inspiration.

EP: Featured musicians?
Jet: Over the years I’ve had some great guest musicians. I enjoy working with others. I like to have a female voice on my discs. P. Kat has been on five of my CDs now, before her it was Lusciouselle and Anita Hit. I’ve also had Danny Dingle and Jess play guitar on a few tracks.

Turbulence...
EP: You came out on your MySpace page...
Jet: I wanted to get that out of the way. I thought that once I said that I was gay then that would be the end of it. Now here I am, the first interview after the announcement and I’m taking about it.

Here’s how I really feel – the only people who should be interested in my sexual preference are people who are interested in "gettin with me." In that case I’ll take it on a case-by-case basis.

LOL, otherwise I don’t think who I sleep with should matter to anyone. However, I am a realist. I know it matters to some (people). I know there are some haters. That's their problem, not mine.

It’s hard sometimes for young - or older - gays in our society. It seems like (we are) one of the last groups it’s okay to discriminate against. I’ve had a lot of correspondence since I came out from closeted gay people thanking me. One dude wrote, “You’re the coolest gay ever.” That’s my favorite comment ever!

EP: Do you think that coming out will affect your fanbase adversely or positively?
Jet: I think (coming out) will bring in more fans. First off, anyone who’s ever heard my music or heard me say cannabissss – with four ssss, um, they usually kinda figure it out. It shouldn’t be a shock to my fans.

I do hope it’ll get some more gay pot smokers involved in NORML and other pro cannabis reform organizations. I know there are lots of gays and lesbians who smoke cannabis. I don’t think that a lot of them are involved in the reform movement.

EP:Does it matter what others think?
Jet: I hope stoner fans will connect with my message of peace, love and marijuana. If they feel these ideas then I don’t think it’ll be an issue for them. Everyone can think what they want. Hopefully, people think from a place of love and not hate.

A change in flight path...
EP: Musical highlight to date?
Jet: I’m the luckiest stoner in the world. I won that High Times contest and that started it all for me. That’s go the biggest break I had. This year I performed my Pot Patriot songs on the steps of the state capital at the Texas Cannabis Crusade.

It was empowering marching down the street with thousands of pro cannabis activists and then to perform on the steps was a trip. Some legislators were peeking out the windows. I’m hoping we opened some eyes to relegalization that day.

EP: ...Gettin' some backstage?
Jet: I never expect it or even think about lookin' for a hook-up after a show. It always surprises me when I realize somebody is hittin' on me. I won’t give details but yeah, I’ve got some back stage.

EP: What are you listening to right now?
Jet: New Black Eyed Peas.

EP: What do you wish was on your iPod right now?
Jet: Kings of Leon.

EP: Fave way to unwind?
Jet: Ummmmmmmmmmm...a pinch of KB in a nice, clean, glass bong.

Weed or hash?
Jet: Kind weed.

EP: Paper or pipe?
Jet: Bong.

EP: Three people that you would like to share a spliff with (even if they pass) that you know you never will?
Jet: George Washington, Barney Frank, President Obama – Yes we cannabis!

Prepare for landing...
EP: What three songs/artists (other than you) turn you on with reference to pot...er...reeferences?
Jet: I’m impressed with the Kottonmouth Kings. They are very hard working guys. They’ve worked their asses off to get the huge success they’ve achieved. Their fans are undeniably fans for life. Kottonmouth Kings isn’t just a band anymore - It’s a lifestyle. My favorite song from them is Positive Vibes.

The song Ride Wit Me by Nelly made a big impression on me when it came out. Talkin' about puffin in a limo (even though it was edited out on radio everyone new it was a pot song.) It was a huge song, mainstream with weed references. And it wasn’t a goofy novelty song like (Because) I Got High.

Bob Marley – One Love. This song should be the official Planet Earth Anthem.

We hope that you enjoyed flying Estoy Pacheco. We'd like to thank Jet Baker for the in-flight entertainment and as you leave us and continue with your journey we remind our fellow sky pilots that they can find Jet, here, here, here and here. Hell, Jet is everywhere!

Riding off into the sunset

John Marmaduke Dawson who wrote the Riders of the Purple Sage's ode to marijuana - Panama Red died last week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Dawson, 64, formed the group along with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead in 1969. The group was often used as a refuge for members of the Dead who would appear on albums and tour with the Riders over the years.

Ironically, Panama Red was the group's sole gold record in 1973.

MonkeyJunk Layeth the Smackdown

The hottest blues band north of the border...no, the other border... takes time out from their cross-country tour to talk music, life on the road and marijuana legalization.

MonkeyJunk is promoting its debut disc Tiger in your Tank and have completed their western swing. They are now gearing up for the festival season playing on the bill with artists as diverse as KISS and Johnny Winter.

The band describes their sound as “a frothy cocktail of our influences blended into swamp R&B, soul boogie, and bedroom funk.” Consisting of Tony D and Steve Marriner on guitar and Matt Sobb keeping time on drums, MonkeyJunk can be caught at the always rocking Tremblant International Blues Festival north of Montreal, the Montreal Jazz Festival, a hometown closing night set at Ottawa Bluesfest and the Blues Sur Seine for fans in France.

Here's some of what the smokin' bluesmen had to say to Estoy Pacheco.

Q: You are touring in support of your debut disc Tiger in your Tank how has the reception been like out west for the band?

MATT: The reception has been great - we have had several really successful shows - primarily the ones sponsored by blues societies have been the best attended and we seem to sell the most CDs at those ones too... we have enjoyed radio play right across the country - primarily on blues shows.

STEVE: We've had a fantastic response from the public and the media as well. Holger Petersen has been playing us regularly on his show Saturday Night Blues on CBC. Also, CKUA from Alberta has been playing us quite a bit. Both these radio shows really helped spread the good word.

TONY: I think the reception for the band has been great all around. We’ve won some new fans and took very much a new sound to the blues/R&B that is out there…out there in that land!

Q: The band has been together about two years, what is the highlight for the band to date?

MATT: For me, the highlight has been the release and instant acceptance of our debut CD - I'm very proud of it personally and I think we are collectively too - for it to be so well received by the media and the public has been great!

STEVE: Actually, it's only been one year...we're younger than we look! Certainly the CD release was one of the highlights. We sold a whack of copies right off the bat, sold out two shows at The Black Sheep Inn, an infamous music venue near Ottawa. For me though, I'm partial to our experience at the International Blue Challenge in Memphis. We were hanging out at a bar watching Johnny Max's band play, and then they announced that we would be moving on to the finals at the Orpheum Theatre. As it turned out we were the only Canadian group in the finals, so we had a lot of folks behind us. Then to come in third place out of 100 bands from around the world...it felt great.

TONY: Actually the band has been together for just over a year and the recording is definitely a highlight, as well as playing in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge, just had a blast down there. I mean right on Beale Street, mercy!

Q: Fave venue? Individually or collectively, what was the best crowd or venue that you played at?

MATT: The Dream Cafe in Penticton was really great - all the way through . . . probably our best performance

STEVE: Agreed, The Dream Cafe in Penticton, BC is it! The owners Pierre and Debra not only treat the artists like gold, but they have cultivated an audience who gives every drop of their attention to the show. Between songs you could hear a pin drop and after a tune they cheer so loud you can't hear your guitar. The energy the give only serves to make our show better. It's a two-way street, ya know?

TONY: I liked the way the we played in Saskatoon and Calgary, the reception in Edmonton was good.

Q: Who are you looking forward to playing with the most this summer?

MATT: I am looking forward to playing at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in September opening for Los Lobos.

STEVE: At Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, we're opening for JJ Grey & Mofro. I personally think these guys are toughest roots act going right now. I love their records and have yet to see them live.

TONY: All the fests are cool but getting to see Jeff Beck after our show at Ottawa Bluefest is something I’m really looking forward to…

Q: As Estoy Pacheco has a focus on pot and surfing I have to ask whether you got any surfing in on the left coast? Are you in favor of decriminalization/legalization of marijuana?

MATT: I was in Tofino and didn't go - never done it and was too cold to learn...I am in favor of decriminalizing it even though I have never smoked it...it's the whole principle of it...

STEVE: Sadly, there was no time for surfing. I've wanted to try it forever. Almost got the chance in Australia a couple years ago. As for Mary-Jane; I am in favor of decriminalizing. While I don't smoke much anymore, I still think that its ridiculous how misunderstood marijuana is. You still find people brainwashed from the 'reefer madness' mentality of the '50's and '60s. The fact of that matter is that it's no more harmful to you than drinking alcohol, which is perfectly acceptable in our society. Think about this...how many violent crimes (fights, murders etc.) are committed when alcohol is involved? When's the last time you heard about a couple of stoners getting in a fight? Never.

TONY: Pot makes me spit up

MonkeyJunk has left the building!

Music Under New York - Subway Auditions get Funky

Music Under New York, the annual auditions for the slots were held as usual in Grand Central Terminal just as they have been in years past. It was a romp through time and geography, with Native American nose flute, renaissance lute, computerized keyboard, and Brazilian guitar competing for the coveted 25 or so slots that had opened up.