Harry Hudson Taylor of Hudson Taylor has released his debut solo single, Dear You, It's Me. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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The new track is a rare spoken-word piece from the singer - "a personal letter set to music, offering a moment of reflection and stillness".
Speaking about the song, Harry says: "I wrote this as a diary entry during a break at the café where I was working. I was writing along to the instrumental hip-hop beats my boss always had playing.
"It started as something I needed to hear - a quiet conversation with myself. I figured, if I needed it, maybe someone else might too. That’s why I’ve included the instrumental version as well - something grounding and spacious. I like the idea that it can hold people without words, just as it did for me."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m a songwriter and performer originally from Dublin, now based in Berlin. I co-founded the band Hudson Taylor with my brother, Alfie, and after some time away, I’ve started releasing music under my own name again. I teach music, theatre and canoeing to German teenagers every summer and so I am currently answering this from a tent beside a river.
How would you describe your music?
It’s raw, self-reflective, and honest. A blend of soul, folk, and singer-songwriter, with some grungier elements in there. However, this recent release blends all that with elements of Hip-Hop and traditional Irish music.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Paul Simon, Damien Rice, Elliot Smith - storytellers who lay it all bare. And more recently, artists like Villagers and Ren and bands like Big Thief and Flyte.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Officially, when I ten days old I was at a Genesis concert because my parents were working there. In my living memory though, when I was 12, I went to see The White Stripes in Marley Park. My babysitter brought me to the front of the pit and protected me from the mosh pit. It was epic.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Shaggy - It Wasn’t Me on CD. It had two versions of It Wasn’t Me and the song Angel as well.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Always changes but this week, it’s a new release by Irish band The Fynches - a song called Heavy.
Favourite lyric of all time?
The whole of Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would probably also be Still Crazy. The Melodies, the chords, the delivery. It’s top class stuff from the wizard himself.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find me on all streaming platforms under my name - Harry Hudson Taylor. Or follow me on Instagram and YouTube. I also released six songs under the solo project Lady Bird Lad since the end of Hudson Taylor in 2022 and of course I have about 60 songs released under Hudson Taylor.
Alan Corr
