Sometimes, bands just evolve into a band – that’s how it seems to be for The Hudsons. We spoke to ¾ of the Austin-based band this week (Hudson Mueller, Phoebe Hunt, and Jason Vopni, who'll most likely sit this show out as he recovers at home from an accident), as they prepare for tonight's show in Houston at Anderson Fair. You can check out their music and live videos on their MySpace page.
We're pretty sure you derived your name from the two original members: Hudson Mueller and Brian Hudson. Question is: did you two meet because you shared the same name?
Hudson: The name thing is a coincidence. We first encountered each other at a high school battle of the bands (we battled each other). After that, I kept running in to Brian [Hudson] at Guy Forsyth's Sunday night shows at Antone’s. I invited Brian to come sit in with me at Waterloo, and it kind of took off from there.
How did the addition of Phoebe (fiddle) and Jason (bass) change the band?
Hudson: Our band definitely wasn't master-planned. It was more organically grown. Febz (Phoebe) would show up at Waterloo and play with us. The songs weren’t written for a fiddle or violin to play on, but we started playing with Phoebe, so it just meant we had to create a space for the instrument. It was kind of on an as need basis. She added a dynamic to the band that wasn’t there before: a girl. So, the stage presence of the group became a more dynamic, vibrant band. Now that Phoebe is out of formal schooling, with a degree in History from UT, she has begun to devote herself to the study of her instrument. She has begun to sing in the swing style from the 30's and 40's, and learn the harmonies necessary to get a song swingin’.
Then there was a huge hole in the bottom end, and we needed it to be filled by a bass. It took us two years to find Jason. We had been playing with Sterling Finaly. But he lived in San Marcos and couldn't make it to all the gigs. After Jason came on board we became a band--we can play the folk rooms, but we can also rock the clubs. He is well versed in musical theory and creating a groove, but he adds so much more. His musical engineering skills have saved so many shows from bad sound, and his creative ingenuity on the road has fixed flat tires and gotten us out of some tricky spots.
You're listed as a folk band (recently garnering "Best Folk Band" at the Austin Music Awards – congrats on that), but after we saw you live, we think you're harder to categorize. What's the best description of Hudson music?
Jason: We try to do everything you can with our current instrumentation I think. We certainly don’t limit ourselves in any way by the category of "folk". But even if we do a punk-style song, like Brian's Money Goes to the Man, its going to have a rootsy Americana sound simply because of the instruments we play.
Hudson: Yeah, I don't really think we're a folk band. But lyrics are really important to me. So I've always been attracted to folk singers (Adam Carrol, Todd Snider, Simon, Dylan) because the words are so good. A lot of our songs are story songs--the narrative drives the song forward. We're still searching for a genre that can contain us. The award was definitely an honor, though. Especially in a city like Austin where there are so many musicians--it's nice to know that people are diggin' it.
You recently toured outside of the state. How did it go?
Hudson: It's been really good for us. We've met some amazing people and had some great adventures. It's given me a lot of faith in humanity. You just fall back and people catch you.
Phoebe: We went up and down I-35. From Austin to Duluth, MN. I love getting out and testing the waters. Seeing new faces and new places is part of what I live for. So, playing in this band has given me the chance to do an informal study of America through the eyes of I-35. I get to see all kinds of interesting billboards and fast food signs! I do love waking up to a sunrise view from our van in the middle of Kansas.
Going on tour is kind of a gamble. Some places we go, we get to play a radio show to promote our show, and then other places we just show up and play. But the ultimate wander of the road is within the road kindness. People are kind. There are people in this world that invite a traveling band into their home. I know it is kind of hard to imagine opening your home to four complete strangers for a night, but so many people have generously provided for us. I am thankful to know that the true human nature is full of compassion in the way that I have been shown on the road.
Jason: We've been well received everywhere we've traveled...even if that means the 3 people in the bar and the sound guy (laughs). Certainly, that was evident last summer when we toured through-out the Midwest and Canada. People on the road have been very gracious to us, and we are certainly thankful for it. I think not having a drummer or screeching electric guitars, it’s really hard to sonically offend too many people. But yeah,
it’s nice to get out of town and enjoy the road... we've had some great times playing festivals and look forward to many more over the coming years and months.
Who are some other Texas artists you admire (new or old)?
Warren Hood, Seth Walker, Danny Schmidt (if he counts as a Texas artist), Johnny Gimble, the South Austin Jug Band, Emily Gimble, Slim Richey, Erik Hokkanen, Lomita
Your Live Album was well received. Any new albums on the horizon?
Jason: We have a new record coming out in the summer sometime.
Hudson: We've recorded it. I'm really proud of the work we've done. Now we just have to figure out how we're going to release it. Look for it in August.
If you could be any Texas landmark, what would it be?
Hudson: I'd be a salamander swimming at the bottom of Barton Springs.
Jason: I'd be a tree at the top of the Big Bend Basin Trail
Phoebe: I'd be Enchanted rock
The Hudsons
Tonight, 8 p.m.
Anderson Fair
2007 Grant
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