Hueston: “My music tends to lean on the emotional side.”

With the show slowly approaching time is running out for interviews, but that didn’t stop us from meeting with singer, songwriter, and Rhode Island representative Hueston! Together we talked about his pathway into music, who he’d love to collaborate with, and what motivated him to submit an entry for the American Song Contest. Learn more about him below!

Welcome Hueston – I’m so excited to speak with you and help our readers get to know you better as an artist! Why don’t you give us a quick introduction as to who you are?

I’m a very straight forward guy. I keep it simple and direct. When I was younger I was a part of a band called The Blancos but had to leave that path to create my own in the music industry. I love writing music and it has always helped me express emotions or feelings I might have stuck inside. It’s been a channel for me to express everything. 

Now you were recently announced as one of the 56 artists participating in the American Song Contest, representing the state of Rhode Island! What has life been like for you since the cast announcement was made?

It’s been a long road to get here. After the past few years, I’m grateful to be able to be on a stage again. I’m humbled by the opportunity to represent my state. Not much has changed since the announcement, I’m focused on a new direction for my music and just been buckling down and creating. 

I’m curious to learn more about your journey into becoming a musician. When did you first realize you had a passion or talent for music, and at what point did that turn into a career in music?

I’ve always loved music since I was a kid! In fact, I started playing guitar at 10 years old. I’ve been in the music industry for ten years. I was a teenager when I got my shot in the music biz and the rest has been history. I am thankful for this opportunity!

As an artist you’ve been described as not finding “easement in this wave of commercialism plaguing the music industry today”. With that in mind how would you describe your music to others?

I’ve always been an original. I like having my music speak my emotions, so I’ve always been on the edge of genres to put it some way. For me it’s more about the songwriting than anything else. At this point I think my music could be considered something between Chris Stapleton and Adele. 

Based on my research I know that you write and produce most of your music on your own. What does the songwriting process usually look like for you and how quickly do song ideas come to you?

I can be pretty quick to write music. Songwriting has always come kind of naturally to me, its been the way I express and deal with so many situations in my life. No matter how tough life gets, writing songs has been my way of getting through it and coming out stronger. 

What Is one thing that people might be surprised to learn about you? Like something people couldn’t just find on the internet or on social media?

I might look tough on the outside but I’m an easy going person that likes to hang out and laugh. 

And I’ve heard your song “Held on Too Long”, and I will say it blew me away. Can you tell us a bit more about what the song is about?

My music tends to lean on the emotional side. Trying to explore different relationships and situations that can be either happy or painful. In this case, Held On Too Long is about that relationship that is not really good anymore, but you can’t let go until it’s extremely painful. 

Without giving away too much information, what has the preparation process been like for you? What can we expect to see from you on the main ASC stage?

I’ve had this song ready for a while now, so preparation for it has been simple. Like I mentioned, songwriting is a big part of my music, so we wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Nothing big, just my voice and the words. 

For our readers who want to connect with you ahead of or after the contest, where can they find you and your music?

I just launched a new website www.iamhueston.com and you can find me on all social media channels as @iamhueston. 

Alright, one final question for you – is there a final message you’d like to share with our readers?

My message is that you are enough, you are beautiful no matter who you are. No matter what you’ve done, no matter what you’ve been judged for doing, no matter if you have been bullied, no matter how much you’ve been told you can’t. I believe in you and I think you can! The key to unity is not choosing a side, but loving everybody unconditionally, right where they are at. 

Well Hueston, I want to thank you again for your time today and we wish you the best of luck in the American Song Contest moving forward!