By Chris Lambie
The opening night of a music festival is all about getting in, grabbing your drinks tickets and noting headliners’ play times. You notice a small stage to where punters are purposefully gravitating. Before you know it, you’ve discovered a new favourite act and have to fight for space at their next performances. That’s how I first got to know and love Hussy Hicks. I imagine the same process for many Bluesfest fans who have seen them climb ever closer to the top of the bill.
The Blues and Roots core duo of Leesa Gentz (vocals, percussion) and Julz Parker (guitars/vocals) have been working their musical magic over the past decade and a half. With a swathe of recordings, awards, national and international tours under their belt, they’re not about to let adversity stop the creative flow. Coming off the cancelled plans of ‘pandemic time’, they faced further challenges from the devastating floods in their Northern Rivers base. They tell me, “We had packed the van with our basic stage gear in case the driveway got cut off. But everything else went under water. Our studio’s 3.2 m off the ground but the water went over the roof. We lost all our merch which is annoying. And losing all our vinyl is such a punch in the face because it’s such a beautiful thing and takes so long to make.” The pair made it to Europe not long after and as regular performers there over many years, they were fortunate to have some equipment stored there. Waiting for them since the cancellation of their 2020 visit.
They finally got to show off music from their album of that year, Gather Up The People, plus new tracks from an upcoming EP. Ironically, the first single from the EP ‘Same Boat’ was released on the same day that Parker went to a stranded neighbour’s aid in floodwaters in a kayak. (Images can be seen online.) Gentz admits to mentally ‘hearing’ lyrics from the song at that moment. “When Julz paddled off over to his house, there was definitely a bit of ‘I’m paddling, I’m paddling…’ going on. The song was written in that really early lockdown period, about nothing specifically. But no matter where you were in your life, certainly as musical creators, we were all stuck in our houses and we weren’t allowed to go to our jobs. As a songwriter it’s good to kinda get it out.”
Next track ‘Capitulation’ features the rhythm section of bass player Tracy Bassy and drummer Ali Foster. Parker’s signature guitar drives a lively riff-laden hook. Musically, they agree, “It’s a banger’. On the subject matter, “For probably the last five, six years even, we’ve been herded into these little groups – where we formulate our opinions based on what our friends think and what the algorithms tell us to think. We get so certain that we can’t even have debate with people without putting them in a different pile, politically or socially. It’s not healthy. I think we all learn by facing people on the opposite side of the opinion pool and learning why they have their beliefs.” In fact, Hussy Hicks are a band that appeals to just about every demographic. Audiences are typically a mix of millennials, baby boomers and beyond. From homeowners to couch suffers. Fans of rootsy high-energy blues, rocking Country and all the best dance-friendly rhythms. “The old universal language thing. Being back out in the world again, there’s so much nuance in the human experience to be dived into that we missed out on, stuck on our [Covid] islands. Acclaimed as one of the best guitarists around, Parker cites early inspiration. “The Emmanuels, obviously. I was lucky to get to play in Phil’s band for a few years. So that was amazing for my guitar learning. Before that, my dad’s British blues collection. Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher…and people I’d see on the live scene.” Gentz’s killer vocals reflect the wealth of influences she draws from, adding extra punch when Parker let fly with some serious shredding. “I grew up listening to all the music of the early 80s. Madonna, Pat Benatar… Then I started singing Country music. My parents were into Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. I was singing with my sister – 90s American Country like Trisha Yearwood. In young adulthood I was introduced to soul – new soul and also Etta James, Billie Holliday. I fell in love with those distinct amazing voices. Now we listen to everything. Our tour car playlist is quite extensive!”
Of the European tour, they are happy to report that there hadn’t been a bad gig. “They’ve all been great in their own way. Everything from major festivals (Ireland’s Electric Picnic, L Fest in Wales, Madame Guitar in Italy) and a bunch of really cool little club shows. It is the first time we’ve been able to tour the 2020 album. So, between that and the new EP and some live favourites, there’s a lot in the set.” Their northern hemisphere fans hadn’t forgotten them. “Actually, someone requested ‘A Million Different Truths’ off the 2010 album last night. We gave them the long-term fan respect and had a crack at it. It’s been heart-warming to see people coming back.” After thousands of live performances over the years they agree, “The stage is our happy, comfortable place.”
The latest song released from the EP is the deliciously down and dirty ‘I Am Not A Dog’. “My angry track”, Parker laughs. “Where all the frustrations come out. After all the restrictions and stuff, we tried to get through remaining as mentally well as possible. So it’s cool to let all the frustrations and built-up energy out on this track. Loud and grungy and a fun one to play live.” Gentz adds, “I play the toolbox in this song and at one of the festivals here, a bunch of people created this sort of toolbox dance. It was pretty funny so let’s see where that goes in the future.”
Despite losing time and opportunity to pandemic restrictions and treasured instruments and furniture from their home and studio to flooding, one creative endeavour was kept safe. The Hussy Hicks app – worked on with Luca Maran – offers music lovers tour dates, band insights and news PLUS three playable 8-bit video games, one for each song on the EP. Luca Maran Each game is tailored to match a song. For ‘Same Boat’, players control an inflatable boat of Hussy Hicks downstream escaping and avoiding a myriad of obstacles. The ‘Capitulation’ game is a choose-your-own-adventure road trip. There are over 100 narrative paths based on player choices, and 18 different endings offered, including a gig inside a dragon’s stomach! The third game sees the Hussy Hicks battling again their perfect antagonist and alter-egos, the Hussy Hacks. “People who like the app, love it and just lose their minds. Others say, ‘Just tell me when the record’s out’.”
The Australian east coast tour will, as in Europe, be in full band mode. “Ali [Foster] flew over and our friend and collaborator Raphael [White] on bass.” (“We had him over from France when lockdown first hit so he was stuck with us.”) Following shows in Queensland and NSW, a second round of dates will take the band to Tassie and Victoria in early 2023. They expect the planned Lismore gig to be an emotional one. “The theatre copped it as bad as anyone in town. So, we’re passionate about playing an appropriate local show. It will be quite special.”
HUSSY HICKS SAME BOAT EP AND APP TOUR
October 15 & 16 – Nimbin Roots Festival, Nimbin NSW
October 21 – Sound City, Port Lincoln SA
October 22 – Rock the Ranges, Quorn SA
October 23 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Goolwa SA
October 30 – Wolvi Stomp, Sunshine Coast, QLD
November 4 – Stag & Hunter, Newcastle NSW
November 5 – Patonga Blues Across The Bay, Patonga NSW
November 6 – Blues and Berries, Woolgoolga NSW
November 10- Froth, Bunbury WA
November 11 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River WA
November 12 & 13 – Blues at Bridgetown, Bridgetown WA
November 15 – Perth Blues Club, Perth WA
November 16 – The Duke of George, Fremantle WA
November 18 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore NSW
November 19 – Regent Theatre, Murwillumbah NSW
November 20 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads QLD
November 25 – Manly Fig, Sydney NSW
November 26 – Upper Lansdowne Hall, Lansdown NSW
November 27 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour NSW
Tasmania and Victoria dates tbc