MARTIN HARLEY

What does blues mean to you?

It’s a highly seductive form of self-expression that, when delivered honestly, seeks out the fastest route from the heart to the voice or instrument.

Who are your blues guitar heroes?

R.L. Burnside for his undisputed heavyweight groove, Snooks Eaglin for his effortless and diverse approach, Kelly Joe Phelps for almost disappearing into his songs and delivering transformative live shows, Taj Mahal for tapping into the mainframe of the blues, and J.J. Cale for reminding me less is so much more.

What was the first blues song or lick you learned?

I’m pretty sure it was “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters. It was a long time ago.

What do you try to achieve in your playing to make your style and sound unique?

Over time I’ve tried to refine my guitar playing to use less notes and have more impact. It’s easy to get lost in perceived improvement or developed technique and to lose sight of the song as a whole.

How do you interpret the blues for a modern audience?

I aim to please myself first. If I’m not certain that I’m 100 percent into what I’m doing at the time, the audience won’t either. It’s my intention to inhabit