Interview: Sharon Jones on her cancer rebound, life on the road and the state of contemporary soul

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings’ latest album, Give the People What They Want, is an energetic record with analog warmth and a near-intangible immediacy missing from modern soul music. It was released in January of last year, but was originally slated to drop months earlier, in August. Jones’ diagnosis of cancer, however — along with the resulting surgery and chemotherapy — pushed things back a bit. Now, a year later, she’s coming off her tour behind the record, and made time to chat with us about her music, her journey and her thoughts about where it’s all headed. Jones performs this Friday at the Iowa City Soul Festival.

So what is playing music really about, to you?

Well, it’s about different things to different people. But everything I do when I go on that stage, it’s not about me, really. I’m not making millions like some people might think, you know. But I got my fans, my true dedicated fans, and I’m being true to myself playing soul music.

What was your first musical influence?

Just about everything that was on the radio growing up. James Brown, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones. There were only two radio stations where I was, growing up — from the South, you know. You heard so many different artists on the radio back then. Today there are only 10 or so, playing the same songs over and over again on every station.

What’s your favorite Aretha Franklin song?

Well, I always used to like her “Rock Steady.” That groove, you know? But what really inspired me was her gospel album, her Amazing Grace album. All the footage from her making that album, that’s just coming out now, and I’m up against that film at the Grammy’s.

Are you listening to anything new right now?

Well, all the old stuff, you know. One of the great things about being on the road is hearing all this great music and meeting the artists. That’s music that you might not find anywhere else.

It’s a little over a year since you finished chemo. How has making music changed?

It hasn’t really changed the way I approach music too much. I guess in a way, because now I know that if something happens, if I need more treatment or whatever it is, I can come back and still do this. I can still stay true to myself and people will respond.

You shot the music video for “Stranger to My Happiness” while you were going through chemo. No hair, your port showing. So often healing from cancer is about trying to look like you aren’t sick. How did it feel not to hide?

You know, years ago I was told that I didn’t have the look. I was too black, too fat, too short. [They] said I should go bleach my skin. That didn’t stop me. Now I’m bald, I’m old, and it won’t stop me now. I go out and I stay true to myself and sing soul music and my fans stay true to that, because people are true.

What was your most meaningful experience on the road?

I could name different shows — selling out the Sydney Opera House, or the first time I was at Madison Square Garden with Prince. But meaning to me, is about being able to come back and people are still coming out and selling out these clubs. Being able to go back out and play and tour after chemo, and having fans stay true to me, that was the most meaningful [experience]. Some fans, you know, out on stage, they wanna touch you. They just wanna touch you. That’s just, that’s amazing.

Did you work with a producer on the records, or do you produce all the music as well?

Well the band and our bassist, Dave, really does most of the production. I take a step back, there. And we all write the songs. You know, we come in to the studio and we just have days booked, and then we write and write and play it out and then record. We come out with around 20 songs, and we only end up using 12.

You worked as a Guard at Riker’s Island, right?

Yes I did. From 1988 to 1990.

Did you sing on the job?

There was a couple of times I told inmates I was a singer, and I was singing in a wedding band at the time. You know, you tell people that you’re a singer, they get all excited: “Sing this, sing that!” So I told a couple of the inmates that I sang, and I sang them a verse and a chorus of Whitney’s version of “The Greatest Love of All.” Man I thought they were going to riot!

They loved it?

They loved it!

You’ve said before that you want the music industry to recognize soul, that you think they should have a category for soul at the Grammys. You want people to know that soul didn’t die in the ’60s and ’70s.

I think they should definitely add a Soul category. Thing is, look at everyone I was up against at the Grammy’s. And look who won. Toni Braxton is great, and you can hear the soul influence, but it’s not soul. It’s pop! Every album I was up against was pop! So yeah, I’d love to see them add a soul category. And then I’d love to see who they’d nominate.

We’re so excited to have you play for us at the Iowa City Soul Festival!

Well I’m excited to be there, and excited to play!