Notes From the Grid is a bi-weekly column about the Columbia County music scene written by Rob. It is featured every other Friday in the "On the Scene" supplement of the Hudson Register Star. See all »

June 2, 2011

Matt and Joy in Hudson

I have found myself often making an example of Matt Bell and Joy Patterson, a husband and wife musical duo based in New Orleans. They make most of their musical money busking or (playing for tips) restaurants, networking with other musicians, forming or joining temporary bands for specific occasions – these are ways that a musician can get by in New Orleans. There is big music stuff happening down there, if you hesitate, it is understood that someone else will take the gig. Though it is quite competitive, there is usually a genuine camaraderie amongst musicians and most of the music one hears is lively, interesting and fun. 

I mention this attractive retro jazz/swing duet because Joy called the other day to tell me they were departing May 25 and were once again headed to Hudson with a SUV filled with instruments and musical equipment – small PA system and an amp, gig books and charts for other musicians should someone want to sit, music and instrument stands and of course, wardrobe and bling necessities.

It’s a bit difficult to believe it when you meet her, but Joy is a Hudson native and a graduate of Hudson High. Though she doesn’t appear to be old enough, she remembers the old Hudson, before the antiques and the fancy restaurants, citing fond memories of the Town Fair toy store , the delicatessens and Mama Rosa’s Italian Restaurant. Coming back to visit her parents through the years she saw a transformation - and it wasn’t very pretty – factories closing, empty storefronts, industry leaving and a basic dehydration of culture. About three years ago after an extended time away she returned to a vibrant, musical and artistic small city and was a little confused but happy.

So here’s why I point to Matt and Joy so often. On that visit, around the Christmas holidays they came into my store and asked where they could play. Sounds simple, having a music store in town I’m asked about that sort of thing all the time, but Matt and Joy approach their work a little differently than the average Hudson musician. They secured a gig or two during that visit and made plans to return in the summer when New Orleans was sweltering and uncomfortable and this time they would be prepared. Where does one play in Hudson and its environs? A typical week in Hudson for Matt and Joy - a gig at Savoia, a gig at Spotty Dog, a gig at Ca Mea (which included a lovely meal for the pair), a gig at Kinderhook Farmer’s Market and the Hudson Farmer’s Market for food, tips and groceries, a gig at DA BA food (and another excellent meal included), another at the Spotty Dog, a gig with food at American Glory,  another at PM Wine Bar. Matt gave a swing guitar seminar at Musica, followed by a short concert. On Sunday they did not rest, they joined in with the house band at the Club Helsinki Swing Dance and made some contacts for other gigs in the area, calling the Main Street Pub in Philmont, the Peint O Gwrw in Chatham, the Mount Washington Tavern in Hillsdale in order to make contact for their next trip to town. They went to visit a few friends up north and ended up forming a Honky Tonk country band, (Miss Shirleys Buckleshiners) and touring throughout Vermont state. When they returned they recontacted everyone in Hudson and ended up play a half dozen more gigs as well as networking and playing with the musicians they met on their swing in.

Here’s my point (something I touched on in the last column). Hudson is already a music town, we don’t have to change anything at all for that to stand as a truth. There are plenty of venues and plenty of musicians and there are plenty of people of town who like to listen music but that is the one aspect we may be lacking – it is a small town and there isn’t a large audience, but there can be plenty of work for any competent musician or group of musicians who seriously do the foot work and follow through. The merchants and the gallery owners and the restauranteurs are receptive to the point of often being visionary. Since we’re in the middle of a “Great Recession” (as I’ve been hearing it called lately), creatives paths may need to be blazed in order to succeed. Which is maybe a good thing. Creativity is a good thing. Music is a good thing. What I enjoy about watching Matt and Joy’s resolve in getting work (Eleven or so gigs in just over a week? That IS work), I get to look at the City of Hudson through an outsider’s eyes - and it looks nice. It looks real good.

When you read this they will probably be in Asheville, North Carolina knocking on restaurant doors, setting up to busk in the city square or forming a new version of Miss Shirley’s Buckleshiners with a few local players. Within a week you’ll have a lot of opportunities to enjoy their music (which is romantic, intelligent, entertaining and addictive), maybe while you’re enjoying a meal or having a glass of wine after an evening out or sipping a pint of porter or shopping for cheese and bread. Hudson is a buskers’ paradise – let’s use this power for the good of Hudsonkind.