Hudson Rose
“I have been busking for about three years now. Last year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival I was lucky enough to be selected as a top ten finalist in the busking competition and had the chance to perform on the main stage in Toyota Park on the last night.”
“I write my own material also. ‘Family Heart’ (for example) is a song I wrote for my Nan. She was diagnosed with cancer when my mum was only 17 and was told back then she had three years to live. She is still alive today, although this last year has been the hardest one yet. She has never been to one of my gigs; so I wrote a song for her.”
Hudson Rose
At just 17 years of age, Hudson Rose is a young lady whose star is definately rising. In 2020 she has already performed 14 shows at the coveted Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) and been bestowed the Young Person of the Year Award at MidCoast Council’s 2020 Australia Day ceremony (under her real name, Georgia Hudson).
It was the young artist’s fourth foray to TCMF. “I opened for Queensland band Homegrown. They were on ‘The Voice’ last year. That was really really cool. And I got to play on the Fanzone Stage in the heart of Peel Street, and the HSF Artists’ Showcase,” Hudson told Julia Driscoll of the Manning River Times.
We’re delighted that Hudson has accepted our invitation to Busker What’s Your Story? to talk about her music and her busking experiences.
You grew up on the mid North Coast? It seems to be a great breeding ground for country singers and musicians.
Yes, my hometown is Wingham. I love it! It’s a community that is very supportive towards my music. After a long trip away, there’s nothing like coming back home.
How often and where do you busk?
I’ve busked at a few festivals and markets along the Mid North Coast (as well as the Tamworth Country Music Festival) and it has truly helped me to become the artist I am today.
Now I do gigs every weekend (it’s the best part of the week) to keep me busy. I believe every opportunity to perform is an opportunity to keep getting better.
I also love to get together with other musicians and I attend the Peppertown Jam each month in Newcastle. With no rehearsal or practice, you get up on stage with the band and play your songs. It’s the best feeling!
How would you describe the difference for a musician between busking and gigging?
I enjoy both!
When busking, people choose to stop and listen. They chat to you between songs and ask questions. I think sometimes there is more interaction when you’re busking. Sometimes at gigs, you need to work harder to maintain the interest and engage the audience.
At first, getting gigs was hard for me. It is completely different to busking, as the majority of the time you have an audience (and they are always listening and watching – even if it doesn’t seem like it) so always being enthusiastic and engaging (as well as professional) is very important.
How do you engage people’s attention in a busy pub scenario?
It’s important to be enjoying what you are doing and having fun. If you seem interesting and inviting, people want to listen more. Looking at people, reading body language and talking to the audience helps to determine what people are looking for and helps you then develop the setlists accordingly.
Any standout memories from busking?
I’ve been busking for about three years now. Last year at the TCMF I was lucky enough to be selected as a top ten finalist in the busking competition and had the chance to perform on the main stage in Toyota Park on the last night. That was such an incredible experience for me. It motivated me to become better at my craft and to then perform on those stages more often.
When people are singing or dancing to your music, it is the best feeling! Music has so much to offer and really speaks the language of everyone.
You write your own material. Picking a couple of your favourites, what can you tell us about your originals?
I love writing my own songs, I think it is such a great way to express yourself.
The interesting thing I’ve learned, is that there are people who relate to the songs I write. I have been writing songs for about two years now and am hoping to release a couple of singles later this year.
‘Hey Now’ is a fun, feel good song, about all the little things you experience and expect as you get older.
‘Family Heart’ is a song I wrote for my Nan. She was diagnosed with cancer when my mum was only seventeen and was told she had three years to live. She is still alive today, although this last year has been the hardest one yet. She has never been to one of my gigs and so I wrote this song for her.
Tell us a little bit more about your experiences in Tamworth
This was my fourth year attending the festival and it keeps getting better and better each year!
In 2019 I was selected as a top ten busker to compete on the main stage on the last night. While in 2020 I still busked, as a 2019 finalist, I was not eligible to be selected again. Busking is still a favourite of mine.
This year I was doing more gigs than ever before as well as networking and meeting some amazing people and artists.
What’s something really interesting about Hudson Rose?
My mum says if I was not a musician, I would be a comedian! I have some pretty good jokes (if I do say so myself)…
And some great advice you’ve been given along your journey?
One piece of advice that has stuck with me is to ‘stay in your lane and do your thing’ and ‘no one is more you, than you’.
A good friend and mentor of mine Jackson James said that to me at just the right time.
Where else can people see you gig or busk this year?
I regularly do gigs up and down the Mid North Coast from South West Rocks to Sydney. If you keep an eye on my Facebook page (Hudson Rose Music) I post all my upcoming gigs and performances.
Love to see you at one!
Image Credit: Bob McGahon Photography
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hudsonrosemusic/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hudsonrosemusic/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr0j3SmHMlOPbbWxidp5qEQ
Leanne Ortiz 