Locals Only: : Soul Walkers

Dale M. Johnson The Walker Project

Chris Walker just returned from a long weekend at New Orleans' Jazzfest, the infamous two-week festival that has hundreds of local artists sharing stages with national acts. Along with enjoying some of his favorite bands during the festival, the bassist and co-founder of The Walker Project also caught a glimpse of "what could be" from a city well known for its enthusiasm for local artists and diverse musical projects.

"I got to experience what can really be accomplished when a city supports, nurtures and promotes its local artists," he recalls. "Jammin' on Main could be (Cincinnati's) Jazzfest, but it seems like it's putting a cap on the local talent. I think it's cool to see The Roots and John Mayer on those stages, (but) I would still come out to see locals like Ruby Vileos, The 4 Track All-Stars or The Hum and get my groove on."

The Crescent City's approach is something the veteran local musician hopes will catch on here as he and younger sister, Carole, explore acoustic-based Funk and Soul with their own new musical endeavor.

The siblings were founding members of Heavy Weather, a popular late '90s Soul/Funk/Rock band that had its share of festival slots and regional success. After releasing three full-length discs and embarking on several rounds of Midwestern touring, Heavy Weather decided to take an indefinite hiatus last year. The break afforded the Walkers the opportunity to explore a new project built upon Carole's acoustic-based songwriting. Their resulting approach to the typical songwriter framework is inventive and liberating, and gives some insight into why the duo chose a name that implies something that's left a bit unfinished.

"We had a few different ideas about what to call this new group but settled on The Walker Project because it represented the idea of a work in progress," Carole says.

And while the two have played the bulk of their early shows as a duo, Chris suggests that the core elements of Carole's voice, songwriting and his bass playing could always be accessorized in the future.

"Part of the 'project' aspect of this band is to try and be as fluid as possible," he says. "Although we are not actively seeking to add permanent members to the group, we are looking for ways to expand sonically and make the music stronger. We're open to experimenting."

Experimenting for now includes drummer Tim Hensley (recruited from Da Lemmings Onsombol and Heavy Weather), who joins the duo for occasional live shows and gives the group a jazzy, laid-back feel. The resulting sound is a smooth hybrid of Soul and Funk music with an acute sense of melody carried out alternately by Chris' intricately woven bass lines and Carole's impassioned vocals.

While Carole cites the soulful crooning of the late, great Nina Simone and the delicate wordplay of Joni Mitchell as inspiration, she acknowledges her true influences rarely have much to do with music.

"They usually come in acts of courage, people who stand up for what they believe, admit their mistakes and testify 'love' even when it rejects them," she says.

"Of course, Chris puts a funky groove to all my issues and rants," she laughs.

The elder Walker says his musical inspiration is much easier to pinpoint.

"My approach begins and ends with Jaco Pastorius," Chris says. "And that could be narrowed down to the period where he recorded and toured with Joni Mitchell. The way (his) bass weaves in and out of the melody and firmly holds the bottom down is what I'm all about."

The Walkers are currently putting the finishing touches on their long-awaited debut disc in the home studio of local Hip Hoppers' Animal Crackers. Until the anticipated fall release, fans can get a peek at the results from MP3s on the band's Web site (thewalkerproject.homestead.com), which includes a few live takes from the Mad Frog with Henley. Until then, the duo plans to continue honing its sound with live shows and insuring that this "work in progress" is infused with their most honest and sincere efforts.

"There is really no method to what we do. I just say what's in my heart and sometimes I put a beat to it," Carole confesses.

"I had a guy in Heavy Weather tell me once, 'Music is not magic,' " Chris adds. "He wasn't there long because the music that moves people is magical. We're just trying to capture that magic on every song, at every show."