Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
April 7, 2020
“Getting away from home gives me inspiration and perspective,” says Johnny Iguana, keyboardist-pianist-songwriter-bandleader of The Claudettes. “I’ve gotten to play music in Beirut, all over Japan, all over Brazil, in Indonesia. … Wherever I can find a piano in a faraway land, I like to sit down and sort of Ouija Board the piano – let my hands drift where they may. The root chords of many of our songs have begun in such situations.” The Chicago-based musician was looking forward to touring to promote his band’s latest CD, “High Times in the Dark.” Their tour dates have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Find more information about the group at theclaudettes.com and facebook.com/theclaudettes.
Q. Do you work on music while traveling?
A. I frequently write on the road. Whole song ideas and lyrics occur to me on airplanes and in the front passenger seat of The Claudettes’ van. Our “Naked on the Internet” from our 2018 album “Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!” was written entirely in the van between tour dates.
Q. What role has Chicago played in your career?
A. I moved to Chicago when hired by Junior Wells. Chicago blues was a major part of my musical development as a teenager in Philadelphia. Being in Chicago now continues to inspire, with its great musical history and community.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Japan and Spain are tied. I love both cultures and the food, oh my lord. I would go just for the food alone.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Well, New Orleans isn’t exactly obscure as a vacation destination, but I tell everyone who will listen that going to New Orleans feels like leaving the U.S. for a European vacation. The food, the nightlife, even that island with all the pastel-colored houses. It’s like nowhere else here. And New Orleans restaurants and bars really could gouge you, but don’t! It’s like taking a European vacation for a quarter of the price, and a shorter flight.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. I went with my parents and sister to Australia and San Francisco when I was 15 or so. I also played tennis in Sweden for a month when I was 16. I found all of it immensely romantic. Traveling is my greatest joy, especially when I’m able to combine it with playing music, and especially when my own written music is what gets me to these exotic places. It fills me with pride and happiness.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. To work as hard as I can at songwriting and piano playing so that I may travel endlessly. I’d like to live mostly on the road.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. It’s always family trips — to Florida or Cape Cod to see family. All of it is very nice and heartwarming.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages?
A. I speak Spanish enough to make myself understood, but almost always have to say, “Mas despacio, por favor,” as the answers come flying back too fast for my brain to apprehend, especially with all the Basque, Catalan (and other) regions. I do love to try, though, and study the whole plane ride over to Spain every time.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. New Orleans, New York City, Barcelona, Madrid, and a tie between Paris, Rome, Vienna, Prague. Don’t make me choose my fifth and final!
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Australia! I felt it was a huge journey just to feel I was home. I did really enjoy it, but it wasn’t a culture shock.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Israel, Russia and Turkey, in particular.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. My computer with a good speaker for music, as I get ready to go out for the night, and for the occasional TV episode for a night off from all the nightlife. I can overdo it and require a night in. And, of course, a book for the plane. Sadly, sometimes, some digestive aids, too.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. The Claudettes across Europe for 35 days, then home for a week, then all across Japan for two weeks. I’ve got it all planned out.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. Liquor and sweets. In a word: sugar.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. A mix of well-known travel sites and books, but also chatrooms and less mainstream outlets like that. I do like a printed book with a map in my pocket, marked up with my own nightlife, sites and restaurant notes. I’m old-fashioned that way. A phone for GPS is good, but I like my handwritten notes, too.
Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A. I was one of several in a band who got our stomachs destroyed by food poisoning in Jakarta. When the doctor visited my room, he said, “Welcome to Indonesia.”
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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