Mojo makes it up as she goes alone - Sydney Morning Herald

Mojo Juju will perform at The Phoenix on November 7. Photo: Supplied

Mojo Juju's lyrics may lead you to believe the musician is a gin-swigging troublemaker who leads a rather exhilarating life.

Her debut self-titled album tells tales of dark and dirty adventures that take place at strip joints, truck stops and cheap motels.

While the tunes are based on fact, the songwriter admits she embellishes from time to time.

''I never like to let the truth get in the way of a good story,'' she says.

''I'm not particularly interesting so I lie a lot. When I am heading into trouble, I do it all in my mind. There's nothing more important that an active imagination.

''[The songs are inspired by] definitely lots of hangovers and trying to piece together all the details from the night before.''

While this may be her first foray into solo-land, Juju is not new to the world of music.

She's better known as the former front woman of Newcastle-based blues-jazz-cabaret outfit Mojo Juju and the Snake Oil Merchants.

The band recorded two albums and, after several years together, Juju found it hard to break away.

''I think what we did as a band was quite unique and could only happen because we had eight people in a band who had completely different tastes in music,'' she says.

''[We were] eight alchemists in there doing their weird stuff and then we came out with gold.''

Going solo was initially quite difficult but Juju says she's found her feet with a new backing band.

''I've surrounded myself with really good musicians,'' she says.

''I really head hunted the people that I wanted. I really got my ideal dream team for this record.''

Juju says the hardest part of going it alone was making musical decisions for herself.

''I was terribly frightened to go out on my own. I didn't have a bunch of people to argue with so I didn't know if I was right,'' she says.

''At the end of the day everyone would look at me … it was hard.

''But the response [to the record] has been overwhelming. I had no idea of what to expect.''

Juju's Australian tour kicks off tomorrow taking in Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane and more.

Drawing inspiration from the jazz age, early blues and the Latin American culture of the 1930s and 1940s, the show has been described as seductive and sultry.

During her live shows Juju says she always includes a bit of improvised banter with the audience.

''That's my main problem, I never know when to stop talking,'' she says.

''My band thinks I need to go to 'Talkers Anonymous' meetings.''

However the muso's verbal diarrhea does come in handy at times, often prompting ideas for songs.

She describes herself as a compulsive songwriter and has already penned half of her next album.

''I promise you 2013 will be jam packed - you'll be sick of me.''

Mojo Juju

WHERE: The Phoenix

WHEN: Wednesday, November 7

TICKETS: At the door

■ Naomi Fallon is a staff writer, a music lover and a keen baker