Co-produced by hip-hop star Kanye West, Mr. Hudson are about to release their new album Straight No Chaser. We catch up with the titular frontman Ben Hudson to talk about Supernova’s success, looking like Paul McCartney and what it’s like to have a pair of trainers named after you…
What is the new album Straight No Chaser like?
Hopefully Straight No Chaser is one of those rare things that is quality pop. My heroes are people like Bowie, Damon Albarn, Outkast and Prince, who make music you can get drunk to and shake what your mama gave you to, but still at home in the sober light of day the lyrics are strong and you can go back to it again and again. So, hopefully I’ve made one of those records.
Do you have a favourite track on the album?
It changes. If I was going to be a cheesy, promotional loser I’d say the next single, which is White Lies. We just shot the video in LA. We have Good Hudson and Bad Hudson, like my alter egos, and I wear a black wig and darken my eyebrows and I look like Paul McCartney or a reject from a Beatles tribute band. But I think my favourite track at the moment is called Stiff Upper Lip because its weird but it works.
Your first single Too Late Too Late went to No. 41 in the charts but your last single Supernova went to No.2. How important are chart positions to you?
Probably
not as important to me as it should be. Most important to me is whether people
sing along to a track when we tour, and with Too Late Too Late they do. Does it make people wanna dance? Does it
move people? Is it on a jukebox in a pub in
Calvin Harris has remixed Supernova, and you’ll be supporting him
on his
Yeah, definitely. I’ve just heard his album for the first time and it’s cool. It’s that thing of quality pop. It just sounds good. He’s a quality producer.
Kanye West has described you as having the potential to be “one of the most important artists of his generation”. How do you feel about that?
Its heavy, isn’t it? It’s kind of heavy on my shoulders, to be honest with you. It’s almost not for him to decide. It’s up to Joe Public and the people at home. He’s making a noise on my behalf and saying, “Maybe you need to think about this guy? Maybe he’s worth another listen?” It’s a pretty massive compliment.
You have a pair of Louis Vuitton
trainers named after you: the
It’s not the first thing I think about. I think some people think, “I wanna be in a band and look cool. Better write some songs.” I write the songs and then think, “We’re playing tonight. I better find some clean clothes.” I like the fact that my reputation proceeds me. I’m not really into brands. It’s more about something that has an interesting cut or fit.
You have also sung on records for
Jay-Z and Sway. What appeals to you about hip-hop music?
I love it. When I was growing up, I was into guitar bands. By the time I was 23, I’d kind of rocked enough and was rocked out. I was like, “Ok, what have I neglected? What can I get into? I haven’t given hip-hop a proper listen, let’s have a proper look.” Kanye was one of the first people I got into. I guess he’s more accessible than 50 Cent wrapping about getting shot and being misogynist.
You’ve worked with American artists and producers, but there is still something very English about your music. Is that a conscious decision?
It’s
just me being real. When I got into hip-hop, I learnt that the only way that I
could be involved and be useful to hip-hop was by being myself. If I was to put
on a New Era cap and a baggy tracksuit and shave my hair and start talking
hip-hop speak, that’s pointless. There are plenty of people doing that already.
I can’t sing in an American accent and I don’t understand why everybody does.
They’ve got plenty of people doing that over there already. I think that’s why
it’s important I don’t move to
Mr. Hudson’s new single White Lies
is released on October 12. The album Straight No Chaser is released on October
19.
