Jes Hudak Interview for Know Your LA Bands

BeatCrave was recently fortunate enough to have a moment’s time with the wonderfully-talented, east coast transplant, Jes Hudak. With the release of her self-titled debut EP just weeks away (March 31st to be exact), Hudak has quite a bit to be excited about. As the hour before her music is brought to a much broader audience through iTunes and Amazon fast approaches, BeatCrave wanted to talk with the audaciously humble singer/songwriter and try to get a sense who she is. Simultaneously we wanted to learn how she manages to creates a sound that is both heartfelt and melodic with just the right amount of depth to really make the listener pause and realize they are listening to much more than just noise…they are listening to music. While we didn’t manage to crack the code of her genius, BeatCrave has certainly enjoyed getting to know Jes Hudak. We’re sure you will as well.

Where are you from originally?

Well, I was born in St. Paul, MN, went to elementary school in Pennington, NJ, moved to Saratoga Springs, NY at the start of 7th grade, which is where I consider myself from originally. I moved to NYC after high school, where I lived for five years before moving to Los Angeles. Basically, I’m an east coaster. I also happen to love the winter, so I don’t want to hear anymore of this “nothing beats the weather in L.A.” stuff everyone’s always saying.

Yeah, there really isn’t much “weather” in Los Angeles, it’s sunshine or rain. In what ways has living in Los Angeles effected your music?

I think all this sunshine is having an effect on the overall mood of my songs. They are coming out much happier, in major keys and everything! Also, my writing has definitely improved thanks to the people in LA that I’ve had the pleasure of co-writing with. I miss NYC terribly, I’m definitely a NY girl at heart, but for the time being I will suffer through all this terrible sunshine… Oh, poor me. Haha!

When did you decide that music was the career path you wanted to pursue?

I don’t really remember a time when music wasn’t the career path I wanted to pursue. As my mom tells it, I used to hum before I could talk, so I guess I’ve always been a musician. But I think the first time we all got a glimpse of the artist I am today was in the 4th grade talent show when I played the piano and sang, “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah.” I didn’t really start writing songs and performing them for audiences until I was 12. At that point I discovered open mic night at Cafe Lena in Saratoga. A girl named Claire sat at the piano and played some original instrumentals and I realized that I could not only do that, but that was exactly what I wanted to do. I wrote songs almost every day and performed every week throughout middle school, junior high and high school. I even made a record called “In There Somewhere” in 9th grade.

What are you currently working on?

I am very excited about the upcoming (March 31st) digital release of my self-titled EP on iTunes and Amazon! Also, I just got my home studio up and running and just completed my first home recording masterpiece in over a year!

I really appreciate the lyrics of “Life Come True.” What/who was the inspiration behind that particular song?

I wrote “Life Comes True” the summer before I moved from NYC. It was inspired by a couple of people as well as an overall attitude I’ve witnessed in my time as a musician. A lot of people want to be famous, they don’t want to work hard, they don’t want to put in the time to be good, and they just want it all handed to them. This can be irritating. Just a little.

I think that’s a sensibility plaguing our generation, definitely. What are some (hardworking) artists/bands you are presently listening to that you wish more people knew about?

• School of Seven Bells: Their new album “Alpinisms” is available on iTunes. I used to work in the East Village with Claudia Deheza; this is her current group with her twin sister Alejandra.
• Coconut Records: Jason Schwartzman’s musical escapade – very Beatles-esque, delightful. “Davy” is the new record, but “Nighttiming” is great as well.
• Colin Smith: He’s a good friend of mine from NYC, he fronts a rock band called MrNorth, but I am a sucker for his solo acoustic music. We used to sing together all the time… Sigh, I miss living in New York.

What is one artist you would love to work with on a song or album?

One? You want me to pick one? I love collaborating with other artists so much, I love singing with other singers, harmonizing, writing, recording, you name it. For one, and I’m not afraid to say it, I’d love to make a record with Timbaland. After I heard what he did with OneRepublic, I knew he would just know what to do with my music.

Timbaland is a genius, without doubt. What is something most people don’t know about you but probably should?

I say this just in case you are having me over for dinner, but I have Celiac Disease which means I am gluten intolerant. I can’t have anything with wheat, oat, rye or barley. Also, I’m allergic to peanuts. So basically, no Thai or Italian food for me.

I noticed Jackie Tohn is #3 on your MySpace friends list. Have you ever thought of auditioning for American Idol?

Hahaha, Jackie Tohn and I met in person (we had been MySpace buddies for a while) for the first time at a Trader Joe’s sometime last year. We’ve been friends ever since. I actually already did audition for American Idol, Season 5. I made it to Hollywood and everything! I got cut that week and they showed about two seconds of me, but it was quite an experience. I would definitely audition again. I don’t really have a problem with becoming a household name over night. That doesn’t bother me at all. It’s just about experience, and I want the world to hear my music. I want to move people with my voice. So I would definitely do it again.

If you could only listen to five albums for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

• Bjork, “Vespertine:” There are so many cool sounds on this record, it’s so beautifully made and my favorite Bjork album of all time.
• Tegan and Sara, “The Con:” I listened to this record so many times when it first came out. This album just affects me emotionally as well as being really fun to sing along to.
• Sufjan Stevens, “Come on Feel the Illinoise:” Glorious, amazing, beautiful, did I say glorious?
• Stevie Wonder, “Talking Book:” Home to more than one of my favorite Stevie songs.
• Colin Smith: I think he’s still making the record. Colin’s voice is not normal. I’ve never heard anything like it. I could listen to him sing forever. It’s that good.

Make sure you catch Jes at one of her upcoming shows!

• 3/30  Glendale, CA @ The Scene
• 4/03  Ventura, CA @ Zoey’s Cafe w/ Zack Hexum
• 4/21  Hollywood, CA @ Hotel Cafe w/ full band