We recently connected with Huston Sonhouse and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Huston, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
Big ensemble bands have been a staple in country and rock and roll for years, with a minimum of vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and a soloist – either electric guitar, slide guitar, fiddle, banjo, etc. Big bands have been the norm for decades. As a solo musician that uses a loop pedal to record myself live to build my own backing band, I create a live show that is anything but traditional. At my live looping performances, I try to pair the intimacy of an underground singer-songwriter set with the rich complexity of a full band sound. I think my style and music could really only exist in this era where technology has helped make the one-man acoustic band a reality without sacrificing musicianship.
Huston, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been writing and playing music since childhood. I served as a lead guitarist, singer, and writer in various bands of many different genres and toured around the country. Like many folks during covid, I underwent a musical metamorphosis in 2021 and emerged with an entirely new solo project. The resulting EP, Old Maverick Road, released in 2022, showcased my baritone voice and rock-influenced guitar playing in an eclectic western style that is uniquely my own. My latest release and debut full-length album, Fruit from the Tree (2023), blends rock, country, blues, and americana in a mosaic of outlaw-influenced sound with arresting imagery and haunting themes based on the seven deadly sins. I’m very proud of the album and hope people will give it a listen.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I really enjoy the craft songwriting and playing the guitar, in particular. But the most significant and unexpected reward I get from playing music is meeting and getting to know all sorts of people from all sorts of places. Everyone I interact with is truly kind and supportive. I think in the technological age we live in it’s easy to forget that we’re all in this together. I’ve really enjoyed the camaraderie and community I’ve found with strangers across the country, and I look forward to continuing to meet folks at shows as I tour to more new places.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
YouTube! It didn’t exist when I was younger and I wish it did. I could’ve learned a lot more and quicker too. I discover something new everyday on YouTube. It’s an incredible resource for musicians.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hustonsonhouse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hustonsonhouse/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqd9nbvnXsHDxEceWtADdw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/52ijraAWkJRDLxiWOlQzgO?si=DAWvDez-RZKM5MXDZVSMYA