Already a week into their first U.S. tour of 2021 and fresh off their first festival this year at Rock Fest in Wisconsin, the gentlemen in Blacktop Mojo were still all jacked up on Mountain Dew and blessed everyone with the Mojo magic at Upheaval Fest in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Blacktop Mojo finished off the second stage, The Lookout Stage, for Saturday evening and had fans swaggering & two stepping the entire time. BTM ( Blacktop Mojo ) is absolutely a band to experience. While on record they sound amazing with their southern rock tone and make you want to move to Texas, its on stage where the Mojo truly shines.
Guitarists Chuck Wepfer & Ryan Keifer dueled off and exchanged like the ending of Crossroads where Ralph Macchio battles Steve Vai, but they do this for each song, leaving fans in awe and throwing their horns up. Bassist Catt Murtis never stops moving on stage, he keeps the groove going the entire time and “slappida” bass just as good or even better than Geddy Lee. Now the secret weapon perhaps in BTM, is their dummer Nathan Gillis. He sets the tone, mood & energy for each song & riff. And finally, their frontman Matt James is THE essential piece to the Mojo magic. As soon as he stepped out in blue leopard print jeans with snake skin boots, the crowd already had the Mojo. He thundered on top of “ The Hill “ like a Texas viking and the fans never put their hands down
Checkout my special pre set interview with frontman Matt James below, as we discussed all things Mojo: being on the road again, how they stayed sane in 2020, new album coming up and more.
For day two of Michigans first annual Upheaval Festival, Blacktop Mojo brought the Texas heat and shit kickers.
And be sure to preorder Album 4 now as it drops on August 13, 2021.