Interview w/ Hybrid Blues

From “The Land of the Long White Cloud” Aotearoa (New Zealand) Hybrid Blues are a 4 piece band featuring Mike Everard (guitar), Adam Pendred (bass), Grant Mccracken (drums) and fronted by award winning singer-songwriter Roy Hudson (Loose Moorings, Koru). After Roy’s impressive musical career in the UK/Europe he has returned to his homeland in furthering his passion for the DNA to all modern music today: the Blues. Their self-titled album released on September 13, 2020 with 11 tracks ranging from Blues, Blues Rock, Country Rock, Latin, Stoner Blues, Rock & Soft Rock. Currently the band is working on new material and just releases a new single, “Lifeline” on April 9th that is receiving global airplay. Hybrid Blues music fulfills the pallet of a wild range of music throughout the world, with a genre that can only be described as… “Hybrid Blues”.

Interview by Tim Brown

When and why did you start playing? first started playing and learning to read music at the age of 14 playing trumpet for college big band and took up acoustic guitar early thirties. Quickly got bored with playing covers so began writing my own songs and performing at a UK song writers club, Ascot.
Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? To many to mention but writing influences from artists such as Billy Joel, David Gates, Cat Stevens, Bill Withers, Jim Croce and vocal influences from artists such as Paul Rodgers, Bill Withers, Scott Stapp
Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? Influenced by my Aotearoa (New Zealand) Maori Culture to be able to sing in groups then my parents record collection, to which I didn’t have much choice as a young man but learnt the art of song writing from artists such as Willie Nelson, Kenny Rodgers. However once I started earning money my influence was more towards artists such as Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, David Sanbourne and in the eighties turned more towards Haircut One Hundred, Duran Duran and never got into Blues/Rock till my early thirties.
Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD’s? Free, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Company, Bread, Queen, all the above and loads more.
Have you been in competitions? Fleadh’s? Any prizes? Runner up in international song writing competition for a song called “Enough” and Americana Latan song award for “Left in Limbo”
Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV. Yes Hybrid Blues are a Live Band and currently performing Blues Festivals and Chopper Meetings throughout Covid Free Aotearoa (New Zealand)
What makes this kind of music “good” to you? Blues is the Real Deal, it’s pure, simple, and truth itself and like Mr Buddy Guy has mentioned, Blues is versatile enough towards making it any Genre you want but at the end of the day, it’s still the Blues.
Why did you choose to play this kind of music? I’ve performed for a metal band “KORU” UK, but many people don’t actually realise there’s not actually very much room for error when performing live as it’s quite regimented to which I found not only demanding on the vocals but you really had to alert at all times for the changes etc. With the Blues you have a freedom to do whatever you want, not one night is the same.
Let’s Talk about your music and your last work… Someone once asked me what my songs are about and what inspires them, my answer to that was “Life itself” Ok some of my songs are a little made up and a bit of tongue and cheek. but like itself, taken from childhood memories and fantasies that have been quickly picked up and thrown into the mix for good measure.
www.hybridblues.com