Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Westover/Hobbs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Westover/Hobbs thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
When we play live, people are always asking what kind of music is this. We can’t really put our finger on it either because our influences are broad and we’re open to anything, which is why we have a bio such as this.
WESTOVER/HOBBS is a multi-instrumental, genre-defying duo who deftly utilizes Baroque-Pop, Avant-Folk, and New Wave styles in a semi-solid Mixolygian, Post-Americana way while showcasing their Criminally Eclectic tunes in a completely unique Gregorian meets Gypsy Revolution slant.
Think B-52s meets Fairport Convention meets Yo La Tango meets Gary Numan meets Sufjan Stevens meets Beirut meets Les Rita Mitsouko meets Laura Nyro meets Vashti Bunyan meets Devotchka meets Nico meets John & Yoko.
WESTOVER/HOBBS’ art-forward, ‘agit-prop’ song-works, while apolitical, invite you into their world to share their quirky ideals and bask in the glow of their on-stage lamp and flower arrangement and may include accordion, DX7 keyboard, melodica, hand bells, triangle, harmonicas, and/or kazoo.”
However, people are still sometimes confused…We don’t know why. It seems self-explanatory to us.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
We both have been in other bands. Todd Westover has been playing in bands as a drummer, keyboardist, bass player, and singer/songwriter since he was 15 yrs old, including The Bell-Rays and Toothpick Elbow, and other rock/punk/psych bands. Diana Hobstetter aka Mrs. Hobbs picked up the accordion in mid-life and has performed solo, with previous duo band Ketchup Soup, ukulele rock band The Ooks of Hazzard, and multi-media theatrical shows, bringing folk/cabaret/jazz to the mix.
We’re just being ourselves, and we feel we’ve got something special. When we played at the Joshua Tree Accordion Festival, legendary Zydeco accordionist, Doug Legacy (who has worked with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Van Dyke Parks, Oingo Boingo and Todd Rundgren), said “I’ve been around this industry for a long time, and I know how hard it is to be original, but I’ve never seen anything like you guys. You really have something unique there.”
Westover/Hobbs is not just a band–it’s an experience. Live shows are a glimpse into our world, where there is a lamp, flower arrangement, funny banter, secret hand signals, costume changes, and our wide-ranging musical offering.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Getting to play music with the one you love is the best. Working on new songs and arrangements, making funny videos and other social media posts—even loading/unloading the car for gigs is fun.
Our favorite thing at gigs is seeing the whole room smiling back at us.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Come to our gigs, download our music (free on Bandcamp), watch our videos (on YouTube), love us on socials, and laugh at our jokes!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westoverhobbs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westoverhobbsmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WestoverHobbs
- Other: Bandcamp: https://westoverhobbs.bandcamp.com/
