Sometimes proper rock leads to improper spelling, according to Dan Hubbard (he of the Humadors noted above). “A couple years ago I was on a drinking bender most of the time with my best friend Dan Hundman,” said Hubbard. “He called us the Humadors cause our last names both started with Hu. I know, pretty lame, we were drunk. I thought it was a made-up word, had never heard of a humidor. Anyway, it looked good next to my name, and since the spelling is a bit different it is a word that doesn’t exist, and we get to decide what a Humador is. Still trying to figure that out however. It will come eventually.”
Hubbard and the Humadors will display that carefree attitude for all to hear tonight on WEFT Sessions, airing at 10 p.m. on WEFT-90.1 FM. Hubbard was a good sport and answered even more of our questions, transcribed after the jump.
Smile Politely: I see that you played the Canopy Club in March 2007. Is that your most recent Champaign-Urbana appearance? Have you always lived in Bloomington-Normal or did you move there at some point?
Dan Hubbard: Canopy Club in 2007 would be our last time there. Just put this band together over the last several months. We have a new CD coming out, and one of our goals is to get something going there, along with many other college towns. I’ve always lived in Bloomington. Graduated from illinois state a couple years ago and been playing music full-time ever since.
SP: How has the response to your solo CD been? I’m writing this from work where myspace is blocked, so I’m working from your sonicbids site. Do you have a new CD coming out soon? Do you have any other appearances scheduled in the area?
DH: I’ve sold a thousand copies not including on-line sales (haven’t really kept track) of my solo cd and ordering more. It was kind of a mellow, acoustic, somewhat depressing break-up CD, and our new CD as a band is all rock ‘n roll. Everything in the past has been basement recordings that we made sound as professional as possible, but our new CD was all in a real studio. Very excited about it. It’s definitely the best thing I’ve been a part of.
SP: Have you played live for a radio show before? How do you anticipate it being different from a regular live gig? Will it be just you, or will you bring the full band?
DH: Played for a radio station in Bloomington, but it’s been a while. It will be the full band. Obviously, there won’t be the fan interaction that there is at most live gigs, but there will be people listening, and like any other show we will try to make the best impression on the listeners that we can.
SP: How would you describe your sound for someone who’s never heard your music before?
DH: I think It’s rock ‘n roll, but it has a bit of everything – folk, soul, blues and a little funk at times. People tell me it’s hard to classify, which I think is a good thing. I don’t think there is any other bands out there like us. I also hear people say we sound a bit like Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, which is a great compliment. He is my all-time favorite so I’m sure that comes across a little in the music.
SP: Was there a moment when you realized that you wanted to be a musician? How did that come about?
DH: There wasn’t one moment. I think over time I realized that is was the only thing that truly made me happy, and I saw it could make other people happy too. I really believe it is what I am supposed to be doing with my time on earth. Even if I never get “big,” there is still a good number of people out there who get something from my songs, and that makes it all worth it. It’s the only thing that I’m truly good at.
SP: What’s a singer or band that you’ve been compared to that you don’t think is representative at all, and why not?
DH: If people really listen and make comparisons it’s never been anything I didn’t think was representative at all. Some people who just see a guy with an acoustic think I should know some Dave Mathews or Jack Johnson. I don’t have a problem with those guys, but I don’t listen to them and don’t think I sound anything like them.
SP: What is the greatest album of all time? Why?
DH: Tom Petty – Wildflowers. Every song is great, and it just flows the whole way through. It’s an experience, and actually the first album I really listened to the whole way through. I think that’s what first sparked the possibility of being a musician in me.
SP: What was your favorite band when you were in junior high?
DH: In junior high I listened to stuff on the radio like Soundgarden and Silver Chair, but I was also making the transition to my father’s favorites like Simon and Garfunkel, Dan Fogelberg, and Tom Petty. I was also getting into Counting Crows. Kids thought I was pretty weird.
SP: What do you like to do in your spare time?
DH: I love to golf. Obviously it would not be smart for me to play a lot being that I’m a struggling musician, but if I have some extra money in my pocket I’ll hit the links. I also love to go drink with my friends. Also expensive.