I recently got introduced to your sound and am impressed not only by your vocal prowess but the quality of the musicianship behind you. Can you talk about your band some and how you choose your band?
Yes, I am certainly not a “lone wolf “singer-songwriter. I am very grateful to be flanked by incredible musicians who also happen to be wonderful humans. Honestly, that is why I decided to call them “Good Company”- they are in fact just that. The heart of “ Good Co.” is Hunter St. Marie. (Who also now happens to be my husband. ) Truth be told, since I first saw him play slide guitar on stage years ago at a club called “Lucys”( San Marcos, TX )I knew I had to make music with him. There was such an ease to his playing style and a quiet confidence that I felt very attracted to. He can play a mean slide and has TONE! Honestly, I could go on and on. He’s an amazing guitar player.
In 2010, I started a new band in Austin and called him up. Much to my delight, he was just leaving the band he was in and was looking for something fresh. We played alongside each other with a rotating cast of musicians in local venues and then were both cast in an off-Broadway production that had made its way to the Zach Theatre in ATX. In the fall of 2013, the production of A Night with Janis Joplin closed on the west coast and Hunter and I returned to Austin, TX after performing in the show for roughly six months or so. Soon after our return, we put together my backing band that would end up being, “Good Company”.
The band is a combination of new and old musical connections. Hunter and I were both involved with a cover band in the Austin area that connected us to Cecilio Ruiz III (drums/vocals) and Bryce Powell (keys/guitar). They both are such incredible players, it was a “no brainer” to ask them to come on board. I had already shared the stage with them in the cover band “London Calling” so I knew what they brought to a live show. Cecilio hits hard and plays with his whole heart. And, Ceci sings like a bird!! Over the years playing together, we have taken on a sibling type relationship- I know he always has my back, on and off the stage. Bryce is overflowing with talent. He plays keys and guitar for the band depending on what the song calls for. He brings a chill factor to the group, but make no mistake- the dude can get down! Eric Lenington ( bass guitar) played alongside Hunter in the Texas Country scene for years, so it was an easy fit to have him in the band. He brings such a fun energy to the stage. Eric is also great at design! He has become quite an asset when it comes to the business side of things. His handy work is shown on the cover art design and layout for “Salvation & Soul Restoration”. Brannan Lane( percussion) is the icing that was finally added to the proverbial cake. He saw us play a few times and enjoyed the band so much that he approached Hunter after a set at The Saxon Pub (Austin, TX ) about sitting in on the next show. He did just that and was with us ever since. Brannan is such a selfless player. He only plays what will truly benefit the song- no ego, just heart.
I have played in a number of bands throughout my musical career and this is by far the most dynamic and tight group I have ever had the pleasure of fronting. These five gentlemen provide a musical platform for me to perch from and fly. I’m a lucky gal.
Do you feel it was harder to get a start being in Texas since there is such a competitive music scene-especially blues?
I have been working in the Austin Live Music scene since the late ’90’s. Having fronted “Remedy”( five-piece rock band) late ’90’s, “ Blu Funk Junction”( nine-piece rock/horn band) ’99-2001-ish, “Cari Hutson Band” 2002-2006, to “Cari Hutson & Good Company” 2011- current, I have definitely put a dent in my 10,000 hours of gig experience.
I found the Austin music scene to be very accepting however it was made clear from the start that you have to make your mark. With so much quality musicianship around every corner, I had to step up my game. I’ve made a couple of records in my time here in Austin and I do feel now with Salvation & Soul Restoration I am ready to truly “make my mark”.
I’ve never been able to truly nail down a genre. My writing is inspired by a handful of different styles and is driven by emotion. I would not call myself a blues artist. I have written some bluesy songs. I’ve written some crossover pop/country tunes. Hell, I even have some pretty solid rock tunes. I’m “Cari Hutson”. Soulful, honest, true- I’m whatever that sounds like.
What venues in Texas have been most supportive to you?
I’m sad to say that a handful of the Austin venues that I got my start in are no longer open- Steamboat, Black Cat, Momo’s, Jovitas, Strange Brew. I loved each one of these venues for vastly different reasons.
Bringing us into the current scene, One2One and The Saxon Pub have been like a second home to me and the band. One2One provides a more “rock club” atmosphere and staging. Curt Ganem (house sound engineer) treats every set with the same energy and intention. He truly cares about the mix out front and for us on stage. He is a gift. The ownership has recently changed during the pandemic. I had the pleasure of meeting the new owner, Flip Lockhoof, at our most recent livestream show from the venue. It seems he will be doing his best to keep the heart of the club alive and well. The previous owners Gregg and Destinee cared deeply about the musicians and the Austin music scene. I will miss their presence in the venue. But, I have no doubt I will see them once again in the crowd when live shows commence again. They are true music supporters.
The Saxon Pub has my heart. A smaller venue- part dive bar, part listening room, part rock club. It’s an enigma, really and has legendary status. I have been playing there since the late 90’s and the best thing I can say is outside of some building renovations, not much has changed! Richard Vannoy (house sound engineer) makes sure each night that all three bands get the same energy and attention to detail. Even pre-pandemic, Richard washed the microphones in-between EVERY SET! No stinky mics there!Ha! He is the soul of that venue. The owners Joe and Judy Ables are salt of the earth, beautiful people. Much like Destinee and Gregg, they care deeply about their staff and musicians. I know because I am both of those to The Saxon Pub. My deep connection to The Saxon Pub is precisely why I chose to release Salvation & Soul Restoration from their stage. I feel at home there. I can’t wait to set foot on that wood stage with the band on February 12th. It’s going to be great to hear Richard’s mix coming from my floor wedge again.
Salvation & Soul Restoration is your first proper release into music- why did you choose to do it now with a five-song EP? What songs do you feel are your most accomplished and realized of how you’ve become as an artist?
What is that saying again…? “Timing is everything”? Ha!
It’s been a long road to get here. In 2011 when I recorded my first full-length record, I was very “green” to the business side of the music business. I really loved the songwriting and sound of that record but couldn’t quite get behind using that record as a “calling card”. As sonically beautiful as it was, the soul in my vocal performance was missing.
In 2018 Don’t Rain on my Sunny Day was “released”. We had a packed CD release show at One2One in Austin, TX but still no formal release. Hunter and I had just had our daughter Hazel and life took such a turn. Money was tight and still, we both agreed that something got lost in the mix and mastering of the recordings. The goal of that record was to get something in the hands of the fans that sounded as close to the live experience as possible. I think we achieved that.
At the close of 2019, we were awarded a Major Grant from BlackFret- a wonderful, local nonprofit organization that supports original music. We had plans to use the bulk of that grant to tour. Come late February/early March, it was clear we were not hitting the road any time soon with the news of Covid 19. So, what now?
It was in the time at home in quarantine that Hunter and I were able to dive back into songwriting. We already had two newer tunes pre-pandemic, “The Rescue” and “My Breath”.(“The Rescue” had already been recorded and not yet released) We soon added “Blame” and “Take the Day” to the list. Then came “ Stand up”- a tune from a previous band that we gave new life. It occurred to us- we have enough new tunes for a killer little EP! This is where we could put some of the grant money to use! The business of music can be rather expensive. With the help of the grant we were finally able to afford to hire a publicist. Finally, we could get a small machine behind the music. Eyes and ears would hopefully, eventually mean more “butts in seats”. And truth be told, I finally felt this collection of songs was ready for a formal release. Salvation & Soul Restoration is a statement I can get behind. Theses songs and performances are honest and true to the bone.
“The Rescue” is the most vulnerable I have ever been in a song. This song was quite the departure from my usual vocal performance style. My vocal approach is usually quite bold and full of grit. “The Rescue” took to a soft and controlled vocal. I feel like I grew as a singer and writer in this song. That Sunday afternoon around our kitchen table, Hunter and I both knew we had written something special. It felt different. It was real. There were definitely some tears shed.
“Take the Day” is another one of the five songs that stands out to me. It’s one of the only songs that I have had part in writing that I actually WANT to listen to! Listening to my own songs usually makes me a bit nervous and I tend to pick it apart. Am I strange? Anyhow, it’s become a bit of a mantra with me and my gal pals. I hope it inspires others as it has inspired me to take better care of myself.
Do you have plans on re-releasing your 2018 full-length LP – Don’t Rain On My Sunny Day? That album is fantastic all around and deserves to be properly released as well!
Thank you for the kind words! We had such a great time recording that record. Funny enough, Hunter and I decided just a few months ago that we are indeed going to remix and remaster Don’t Rain on My Sunny Day! We are both pretty excited about it. Hunter has been adding a lot of new “bells and whistles” to our in-home studio (Homegrown) and will be getting back to work on it soon! As far as the re-release goes we will see what happens! Stay tuned!
I hear a mix between artists like Heart and Beth Hart in your sound, I’m sure you have your own influences that you hold more dear. Who first influenced you most to find your voice musically?
I’ve never gotten Heart but have definitely been compared to Beth Hart. Both are incredible, so thank you.
My first musical influence was actually my mother. She and I would harmonize to The Judds together when I was a little. My mom had a really pure and sweet voice. I miss that voice.
As I got older(grade school) I was into Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. I grew up in tap, jazz, and ballet classes and really was drawn to how both Janet and Paula managed both singing and dancing on stage. But, as it turns out, I was not meant to be a pop star.
My older brother Coy was heavy into the blues. I would hear Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray booming from the inside of his bedroom walls and it perked my ear. He later introduced me to Etta James and Lou Ann Barton and Janis Joplin and suddenly I could see the blues in color! It was in one of my first shows in front of a packed club (Steamboat Austin, TX ‘99) that I found my full voice in the Janis Joplin song “Try”. It was the first time I sang the song “full out”. I surprised myself that night. My brother was in the audience and I’ll never forget him yelling out, “That’s my sister!” It was a cool moment. It was then that I realized my voice was capable of so much more than I had known. It changed the way I approached writing melodies and performing.
Do you find the Janis Joplin nods are overdone some for yourself and other female blues artists? You obviously played her previously – do you sometimes get “typecast”?
There was a time early in my career that I would get annoyed at people always requesting Janis Joplin covers at my shows and parties. I had actually started to refuse to play certain songs. When you are trying to come up in the music business you are constantly asked to describe your sound in reference to known artists. It’s hard to avoid comparison. Women especially are always compared to one another in music- even if the styles or genres are notably different. It is what it is. For me, the Janis reference is locked in because I spent time performing as her in the off-broadway production of A Night with Janis Joplin. I am more than okay with the references or nods regarding Janis. She’s a legend. She was one that helped pave the way for women in Rock n Roll. If the torch gets passed on to me, even in reference, I’m cool with that.
Has your perspective of choosing to be a musician changed since the pandemic and what was the last show you remember performing live in front of an audience?
Pursuing a career in music is crazy- I’ve always known that. I vowed to myself a long time ago to live a passion-driven life, no matter what that meant regarding my bank account. I have been blessed in my life to have been surrounded by people that believe in me. Whether they lifted me up financially or emotionally, I have kept the will to keep pushing forward with the help and love of the community. This pandemic has changed my perspective yes, but not about whether I will continue my passion as a musician or not. But more so, how can I use my art to better the world? How can I grow and continue to influence my daughter and other girls to know that they can be anything they want in life?
The last time I was on stage before the shutdown was at One2One in Austin, TX. I was singing with a local Led Zeppelin cover band called, “Tex Zep”. It was a killer night. So much fun! The energy in that venue was palpable. Funny enough, I remember wearing kitchen gloves to that show, not understanding quite yet just how serious the virus was. I left the venue that night and wouldn’t return until months later. But, upon return, there was no crowd. This time, we wore masks and didn’t hug upon seeing each other. This time we performed to small screens. The livestream became our venue. Strange times indeed. But, we are making the best of it!
What else can we look forward to in 2021 from Cari Hutson?
More music! We will be remixing, remastering, and re-releasing 2018’s Don’t Rain On my Sunny Day. We are currently writing new material and will be working on some new videos to feast your eyes upon. The plan is to hit the road as soon as it is deemed safe. So, let us know where you want to hear Cari Hutson! We will come to your town as soon as we can do so safely! Until then, we will continue to play livestream shows. Check out www.carihutson.com for show listings! Sending out love to you all! As always, thank you for supporting original music! “See you” live from the Saxon Pub Facebook page for our EP release show Friday, February 12 at 9 pm (central).
All photos coursey of Carihuston.com
