An interview with Sturgill Simpson's phenomenal guitarist Laur Joamets. His inspiring journey from Estonia to the top of Americana music, and all the bumps and bruises along the way.
Thank you for this, Alan. We saw Laur with Sturgill at Terrapin Crossroads in April 2015; Laur gave my son Barry (who has Down's Syndrome) his guitar pick. Two nights later, we saw the band blow the roof off the Fillmore in SF; Sturgill leaned down and gave B his pick from the stage. They're framed with the poster from the Fillmore show. Insanely talented musicians and genuinely nice people as well.
Sorry about your ankle, Alan. Saw Sturgill and band recently as well. No opener. Started at 8:00, not 8:01. Paused once in 3.5 hours to introduce the band. Absolutely, devastatingly, killed it. I (only half jokingly) said that there is no need to ever go to another concert....
Thank you and yes! this show was 3 hours due to curfew. Sturgill said at one point, "I have a big sign at my feet that says 'finish at 10:59' so I am not going to be talking much." and he didn't.
Great piece, Laur's slide work meshes beautifully w Sturgill; great band indeed. Sturgill's tour late last year a 2024 live music highlight of the year imo -- and great word of mouth about the 3 hour set and band quality -- so critical to touring these days. Am especially intrigued by Johnny Blue Skies' fascinating, growing collaboration with Bobby Weir -- their jamming together at recent Dead-related events in Mexico really interesting... watching Sturgill rip the Garcia lead guitar parts and jamming on China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider are POTENT!
This is great! Knew next to nothing about Laur before reading this article. Just saw them last night in Minneapolis and he melted my face off with his Purple Rain solo.
Cool stuff! I have heard so many good things about both guitarists in Sturgill..er, Johnny’s band :) and you’ve confirmed all of them. Can’t wait to see them in May! Amazing that you detected and Laur acknowledged the absence of Duane & Derek’s slide influence. And good on him for forging his own identity.
Great interview. If you hadn't already seen it; Sturgill (and Dave Ferguson) were interviewed on Guitar Moves (attached). Sturgill talks about Laur's talents and how quickly he came up to speed w/ Sturgill and the band.
Thank you for this, Alan. We saw Laur with Sturgill at Terrapin Crossroads in April 2015; Laur gave my son Barry (who has Down's Syndrome) his guitar pick. Two nights later, we saw the band blow the roof off the Fillmore in SF; Sturgill leaned down and gave B his pick from the stage. They're framed with the poster from the Fillmore show. Insanely talented musicians and genuinely nice people as well.
That’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing. I bet Barry loved that.
Sorry about your ankle, Alan. Saw Sturgill and band recently as well. No opener. Started at 8:00, not 8:01. Paused once in 3.5 hours to introduce the band. Absolutely, devastatingly, killed it. I (only half jokingly) said that there is no need to ever go to another concert....
Thank you and yes! this show was 3 hours due to curfew. Sturgill said at one point, "I have a big sign at my feet that says 'finish at 10:59' so I am not going to be talking much." and he didn't.
Great piece, Laur's slide work meshes beautifully w Sturgill; great band indeed. Sturgill's tour late last year a 2024 live music highlight of the year imo -- and great word of mouth about the 3 hour set and band quality -- so critical to touring these days. Am especially intrigued by Johnny Blue Skies' fascinating, growing collaboration with Bobby Weir -- their jamming together at recent Dead-related events in Mexico really interesting... watching Sturgill rip the Garcia lead guitar parts and jamming on China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider are POTENT!
Yes!
This is great! Knew next to nothing about Laur before reading this article. Just saw them last night in Minneapolis and he melted my face off with his Purple Rain solo.
Thanks... Glad you found it. May I ask how?
My friend Joe sent it to me. He said he googled "Sturgill simpson guitar player" and it came up.
Thanks. Always hope that will work that way! Subscribe and stick around... more good stuff coming.
Right on! Cheers.
Great piece, Alan. Really interesting about fretting behind the slide à la Sonny Landreth. And you’re absolutely right about that SNL performance 🔥
Thanks Doug. It was a lot of fun to talk to him.
I’m so excited about this interview. My husband and I are hitting a few European stops, including the Estonia show!
Fantastic. I would love to be at that Estonia show.
Cool stuff! I have heard so many good things about both guitarists in Sturgill..er, Johnny’s band :) and you’ve confirmed all of them. Can’t wait to see them in May! Amazing that you detected and Laur acknowledged the absence of Duane & Derek’s slide influence. And good on him for forging his own identity.
Thanks man.
He is gooooooood! Thanks Alan- he's a new to me musician and i look forward to falling down this rabbit hole.
Great article. Big fan of Sturgil. Very cool to understand Laur’s story.
Thanks. I felt the same. It was so interesting that I really leaned into it.
Alan,
Great interview. If you hadn't already seen it; Sturgill (and Dave Ferguson) were interviewed on Guitar Moves (attached). Sturgill talks about Laur's talents and how quickly he came up to speed w/ Sturgill and the band.
https://youtu.be/d3Q0jqDGf2I?si=mj3M8z-a94-09SyY
Thanks. Have not seen!