Interview, New Fire Music
HUSTLE SOULS
30
Sep
Sep
Hustle Souls is an Asheville, NC based soul band who blend dust-covered-vinyl nostalgia with modern sensibility; recently named one of “Music Connections” Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists & Bands. Driven by a lust for songwriting, the band’s fervid live performance is heightened by undeniable instrumental prowess, roaring B3 organ and electric guitar, trumpet, and 3 part vocal harmony. With relentless touring, sold out shows and major festival appearances the band has earned a reputation as one of the East Coast’s most promising acts. The band name Hustle Souls pays homage to the Muscle Shoals sound. While not at all a tribute act, the band did use Muscle Shoals as a beacon to point the band’s wide ranging influences toward a cohesive center where Southern twang, swamp, and gospel blend with soul funk and groove. After releasing a series of live in studio videos called Snaggy Mountain Sessions, the band was contacted by gold and platinum mixer and producer Eric “Mixerman” Sarafin (the Pharcyde, Ben Harper. The Brand New Heavies etc.) about making an album. Hustle Souls debut full length “Color” was released in 2018. In 2021 the band released a 6 song EP, titled Daydream Motel which has earned praise from American Blues Scene, Bluestown Music, Aldora Britain Records, Midwest Record, NC Music Mag among others. Lead single “Montana” recently charted on Roots Music Report’s Soul Blues Song chart. Hustle Souls band members are: Multi-instrumentalist Billy Litz Guitarist Chris Everett Bassist Jonathon Taylor Drummer Kevin Scott
We love your new fire music! How did you come up with the concept for the song?
I started imagining a kind of apocalyptic sing along, a bunch of close friends and family spending their last night on earth getting wild in some old dingy basement bar. I didn’t want to just describe that exact scene in the song but instead wanted to write the kind of song those people might be singing. In the end I think the song is about resiliency in the face of difficulty and loss, about joy as the final act of rebellion when things finally fall to pieces and most importantly about showing some love to the people you care about while you’ve still got the chance.
What is your favorite part about the song?
My favorite part is either where I say, “I’ve got a flask in my pocket I’ve been saving it for.” I think it makes me feel kind of wild to shout that part and usually gets a rise out of at least one person in the crowd who knows the feeling I am talking about. Or it could be the line “Someday this train might make a wrong turn, if it all goes to hell let it burn let it burn ” I go full Tom Waits on the word “burn” and it’s just a powerful moment for me.
What were you most meticulous about on your latest song?
We were meticulous about capturing a “vibe”. Sometimes we layer every instrument with click tracks and even midi and quantization but on this one we made sure the lights were really dim, there was whiskey flowing and we were all feeling something. We caught most of the song really raw in one take. The only thing we overdubbed was the harmony vocals. Even the lead vocal was captured live while the band was playing. This is not how we usually record but for us it’s the best way to capture a really emotional vibe.
Your latest collaboration, how did this come about?
We have a pretty stable relationship as band members and with our producer Eric Mixerman Sarafin. We’ve been working together for years and just naturally fit for this one.
Who did what on the song?
I wrote the song alone at my house and then brought the song to the band, we all figured out how to bring it to life and our producer, Eric, guided us and figured out how to capture the magic in the studio
What was the writing process like?
Ladidada came really quickly. I woke up one morning and while still half asleep sat down with the guitar. I was feeling kind of off and moody, kinda always feel that way when it’s cool and gray in the mornings. I usually have to really fish for a song but this one just came out of nowhere and presented itself to me. I think I finished the song in one day which is really rare for me. I kept thinking, that was too easy, it must not be that good… but sometimes the muse just does the work for you I guess.
What kind of mood was set in order to create the magic?
When we play this song live we have to play something really BIG before it because this one is so intimate. I usually set it up with a story about joy and loss and love. If the magic is right we get people cheersing and hugging their friends. We’ve made people cry with this one but I think there is a bit of bittersweet joy in it. We don’t want to ruin anyone’s night by bringing up memories of people passed on but it is the biggest honor to see a physical manifestation of someone truly feeling something from our music.
Is there a critique you’ve gotten on the single that you worked through and it’s made the overall work better?
You know my voice isn’t for everyone. Never has been and probably never will be. And sad brooding songs are not for everyone either but on this one we stuck to our guns and did what we believed would make people feel some kind of way.
What are you most excited about for fans to hear on your latest single?
We’ve been playing this song live for a while now and have gotten a lot of requests of how to listen to the song. I just hope that if the song means something to someone they will be able to access it whenever they want.
What has been the best feedback so far?
When you make music that you care about you want or even expect other people to care just as much as you do but that is rarely the case for most artists. Even the greats fail to connect with people sometimes. I’ve had crowds of people singing along and sloshing beer around and watched a dozen people cry to this one. It really doesn’t get better than that as an artist. The first time we made someone dance with our music was a big deal, but someone who knows the words and sings right along with you or breaks down into tears…. that’s a whole new level and very surreal.
Leave us with your favorite fire lyrics of the song?
Sing Ladidada
Smash your glass up to heaven
Remember this feeling
it might be the last time that you feel it
Sing Ladidada
Make a toast to your friends
and tell ’em you love ’em
might be the last time that you see them