Diandra Interviews Hudson Taylor: Brothers In Music
After reviewing From Bear Cave To Dame Street, I could tell brothers Alfie and Harry of Hudson Taylor were gracious guys. On September 28, the duo are performing a headlining show at City Winery, and their songs are courteous and considerate to love like, guys whom are aware of how it trickles into every aspect of their life. How you love your friends? How you love your hometown? How you love your goals, your careers, and the lovers you find as you try to build them? In our interview, the siblings discuss how they have grown in sound and love for music.
Diandra: How has your changes in sound reflected your changes as persons?
Hudson Taylor: Thinking of all the music we’ve released since 2012, our sound has changed a lot and has been hugely influenced by what we listen to and what was happening in our lives and on stage. The biggest learning curve was making our first album; we were much younger and less experienced. With our newer stuff, because we’ve done it before and have a better idea of what we like and what we don’t like, we are more confident in the studio.
Hudson Taylor – One in a Million (Lyric Video)
Diandra: What would you say about your music most speaks to listeners? What do you hope it says to them?
Hudson Taylor: We’d say the lyrics are what speak to people the most. All the lyrics are inspired by things going on in our daily life like relationships, family, friends, traveling, politics etc. (Unless of course the song is calling for something else.)The hope is that other people can relate to it too, and take something from it.
Hudson Taylor – Chasing Rubies
Diandra: Between the both of you, what would you say the other brings to the creative process and to the brotherhood?
Hudson Taylor: We both have different and constantly changing roles in the creative process. Some songs we write together, sometimes separately and then finish them together and sometimes we write with other people. Harry brings a serious knowledge of music to the table and plays a rake load of instruments. He has a great set of pipes and loves a harmony. He’s also a great studio engineer and a true perfectionist.
Alfie took up music much later and learned a few chords on guitar so he could write songs.
When we’re writing together, it usually starts with a jam on guitars or piano, once it’s all going well, Alfie starts singing and coming up with a story and words, Harry joins in and then we make a demo.
Diandra: What do your parents say about your music career? Has there been a moment when they were like, “Wow, our kids are famous!”?
Hudson Taylor: Our Mum has been very supportive of our music career since day one. She’s probably seen us play more than anyone, she says she enjoys seeing her kids do their thing and you can see that! It’s not hard to pick her out in a crowd: just look for the biggest smile. Like us, she can’t believe the opportunities and luck we’ve had over the years.
Hudson Taylor – Battles
Diandra: Traveling so much for you music, has life on the road influenced your perspective on music, songwriting, and how both can influence the world?
Hudson Taylor: Our perspective on music has been very influenced by life on the road, not just by all the different places but, since starting music full time, we have a new found respect for anyone trying to make a living off music: be it in songwriting or performance. It’s a very unique occupation, not always as glam as it may be perceived and certainly not without its ups and downs. However, we love it, we feel nothing but grateful to be doing it. One small way we try and influence the world is by bringing our own water bottles and mugs around, since doing that we and our crew have saved a heap load of water bottles and coffee cups from going in landfill or the deep blue seas!
Diandra: You have mentioned The Beatles and ACDC as music influences, but who are some of the newest artists that you find inspiring your sound? Any recent up and comers?
Hudson Taylor: Yes indeed, thanks to Spotify we are discovering a lot of new music these days. Also, we meet a lot of new bands along the way. Some inspiring and great music coming out of Ireland like: The Academic, Lankum and Hozier to name a few.
Diandra: They say that music speaks to people. When you hear music, what do you feel it specifically says to your heart and soul?
Hudson Taylor:For us, it very much depends on whether we like the music we’re hearing. But generally, music speaks to us in many ways, makes us dance, sing, cry and laugh. Sometimes, it brings us back to a moment just like seeing an old picture would.
Hudson Taylor – Weapons
Diandra: You have said inspiration comes from the everyday things of life, i.e. family, friends, and relationships. Name a song, could be yours, that reminds you of your family, one that reminds you of your friends, and one that reminds you what it is to be in love.
Hudson Taylor: These change all the time but at the moment, a song that reminds us of family is quite simply “We Are Family” by Chic, a song that reminds us of friends would have to be “Prickly Pear” by Portico Quartet and finally, a song that reminds us of what it is to be in love is our own tune called “Old Soul.”
Once again, on September 28, Hudson Taylor are performing a headlining show at City Winery, but, before that, they are opening for Hozier from September 24-26 at Beacon Theatre. To Check Them Out Click Here.
