It's almost a year and a half since New York blues bashers DADDY LONG LEGS released their Jimmy Sutton-produced album Lowdown Ways. To commemorate the anniversary of their Yep Roc debut, the band released the digital only deluxe edition of the album with three unreleased tracks from the Lowdown Ways sessions. This was the perfect opportunity for this blog to talk to singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist Brian Hurd.
1) For the viewers of this blog who would not know you, What would you tell about Daddy Long Legs to introduce yourselves? How long are you together as a band? What is your musical background? Who is playing what instrument in the band nowadays?
Hmmm well that’s a tall order let me see see here.... We’re a New York City based Trio playing our own supercharged style of Rhythm & Blues. We’ve been at it a decade now touring the world, releasing records and leaving a trail of utter devastation in our wake. We were formed over a mutual love of razor sharp blues heroes and It’s been the same original lineup since the beginning. Josh Styles on Drums and Percussion, Murat Aktürk on Guitar and myself on Blues Harp, Guitar and Lead Vocals.
2) About the latest full length record "Lowdown Ways", what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a "live" in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs?
Lowdown Ways was recorded in Chicago at Hi-Style Studios and was produced by Jimmy Sutton and engineered by Alex Hall. All the basic tracks were done live. We don’t do a lot of overdubs!
3) Do you use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?
Mostly analog but we use some modern equipment to try to get the best of both worlds.
4) Is there a main composer in the band or is everybody involved in one way or another?
I would say I’ve been the main composer but everyone brings their own thing to it and all the new songs we’ve been writing this year have been very much a group effort.
5) What is your favorite topic/topic that comes easily when you write a new song?
Personal experience.
6) How would you describe the kind of music you guys are playing? If I were to call it "Roots rock'n'roll", would you agree with this description or do you consider there is way more than that?
We call it Rock N Roll salvation through the spirit of Roots N Blues!
7) Do you have a new video on youtube featuring a track from the LP?
We have the “Pink Lemonade” music video and also the official album trailer that feature two singles from “Lowdown Ways”.
8) To what kind of music did you listen to as teenagers? What were your favorite bands as a teenager? Name 3 bands that you consider still have an influence on your own work today.
We were all raised on Punk Rock. The Ramones, The MC5 and The Stooges have been a big influence. Our music is a lot different sonically speaking but the spirit and the attitude is there.
9) What can concert goers expect at a Daddy Long Legs gig? Are you playing any famous cover
songs during the set?
songs during the set?
Most people have described our shows as being a spiritual experience. Our gigs are hot and sweaty with a lot of foot stomping and hand clapping. We don’t do a lot of covers but when we do we tend to go for something a bit more obscure.
10) Are there any bands in the USA today you consider yourself close to, musically speaking?
Were sort of in a class of our own. Even amongst the so called “roots rock” or “punk blues” type bands but there’s a lot of great bands out there we dig a whole bunch such as Bloodshot Bill, Harlem Slim, Blind Boy Paxton, Nikki Hill, Blackfoot Gypsies, The Nude Party & JD McPherson.
11) What are the plans for the rest of 2020 as far as Daddy Long Legs is concerned?
We’ve been focusing on writing new music and we’re now closing in on another albums worth of material. Stay tuned!
12) Anything you wanna add?
Daddy Long Legs is The Truth!
PURCHASE IT HERE: https://daddylonglegsnyc.bandcamp.com/album/lowdown-ways-deluxe-edition
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