Singer Johnny Lima, best known for his solo work, expands on his singing career and what the future holds with regard to new music and live gigs.
Who were your influences in the early days and have you always wanted to be a singer in a band?
First band that influenced me would have to be Kiss. Then Def Leppard, White Lion, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Bryan Adams. I started on guitar so I didn’t want to be a singer until a few years later when I found my voice.
Have you ever auditioned for the vocal spot in any other notable bands?
Yeah, a band called Worlds Apart. Auditioned for a couple of other bands but don’t remember their names.
Do you have a favourite song or album from your back catalogue?
I’d probably have to say “Blame It On Love”. It’s easy for me to sing. I won an award for that song, and it always goes over well live whether playing with a band or acoustic.
Do you have any plans to release another solo album, it’s been a while?
I gave up music at the end of 2016, so I wasn’t planning on making any singles much less an album. However, I just recently got back into making music, and have been writing a lot lately. So I’m sure I’ll start recording again soon, but I just want to write and record. I’m not going to stick to one genre either. Most of the songs I’ve written recently were all on acoustic guitar, so they don’t sound like any of my previous work other than the acoustic album. I think my days of making harder rock sounding songs are over, but who knows. Again, I’m just going to write what I feel. If someone resonates with the song, great, if not, no big deal.
Some vocalists are on strict dietary regimes or gargle with special liquids. How have you kept your voice in tip top shape all these years?
Jager and cigarettes [laughs].
Do you still get the same buzz out of singing live as you did in the past?
Yes. Probably more so since I now sing in a range that’s comfortable to me.
Are there any musicians that you have not worked with, but would like to in the future?
Yes most definitely. However, I don’t have much time for making music these days, so it’s highly unlikely I will.
Have you or would you consider producing other bands?
I’ve produced Dirty Penny’s two albums, Dave Friday’s first album, and Diamond Lane’s first EP. I don’t think I’ll produce other artists at the moment. Not because I don’t want to, but I just don’t have the time needed to commit to a project.
What have you been doing over the last decade?
I changed careers and became a barber. I own my own barbershop and that keeps me super busy. [SD: Wow!]
With the live circuit back up and running, is there a possibility of seeing you perform in the UK again?
I’d love to perform in the U.K. again. But if I do, it would just be an acoustic show. We’ll see!
Do you have anything else in the pipeline at the moment that you can share?
I’ve been asked to co-write with Martina Edoff who happens to be one of my all-time favourite voices in rock. So I’ve sent her some ideas and will be sending her more in the future. Not sure if anything will come out of the collaboration as it’s still too early to tell. Fingers crossed!
Interview by Stuart Dryden
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