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Hootin (aka Nick Houghton) is a singer-songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia. And here is all the background that you need to know about Hootin.
How long have you been performing music?
I (Hootin, i.e. Nick Houghton) am a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the west coast of Canada. I’ve been in the world of music for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories was as a 6-year-old playing Cotton Eyed Joe on the violin in a traveling show. In my teens I took up the drums, playing in every jazz band, orchestra, and musical in the B.C. area, eventually enrolling at the local conservatory, where I got to work closely with jazz icons like Paul Horn and Misha Piatigorsky. After University I played with the funk rock band The Party On The High Street, performing constantly all over the world for six years, releasing 5 albums, one of which was recorded at Bear Creek Studios with Ryan Hadlock, a Grammy nominee for his work with the Lumineers. While with The Party on High Street we partnered with a pair of actors and helped write a musical titled The Saints of British Rock.
This is my first venture as a solo artist, after 6 years on the road with TPOHS and the subsequent hiatus from music during which I lived in Los Angeles I’ve returned back to my home in Canada, where in 2021 I released my first full-length album “Exit Conditions” and followed it up with a single Wake Up Call in January of 2022 and a second in May of 2022 titled The New Queen.
What should people expect when they check out your music? How would you describe yourself?
It has taken me quite a while to come to a description of the style of music I create. The best I have come up with so far is “Expressive Alternative”. Being a drummer by trade, rhythm and energy are usually the most important factors in good music for me; lyrics being a close second. I usually begin writing a new song with the drums or percussion to define a feel. From there I take time to think about all of the things that have been going on in my life that tend to otherwise be hard to express verbally; things I’ve been feeling, thinking about but maybe struggling to articulate… I then pick one of these ideas that I think fits the energy of the track I’ve put together so far. I build the rest of the instrumentation to fit the tone and timbre of the idea I’m trying to express. Finally, I then find lyrics that don’t describe the feeling I’m trying to express… but demonstrate it. I want each of my songs to be about something. A concrete idea that I can name but allows the listener to have their own experience with.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams at the minute with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out to build a name for themselves?
We are square in the middle of a new age of music. Getting radio play used to be the ultimate goal because it was really the only medium for getting your music out there. These days, with pretty much unlimited access to any type of music the audience could ever want, I think the thought process of ‘standing out’ has changed; for both the better and the worse. On one hand, musicians no longer need to try to fit into a radio/commercial-friendly box. Because of this, I think, the variety of amazing music out there has really exploded. On the other hand, it has really compartmentalized the scene. Trying to “stand out” to the whole world I think is impossible these days. The internet has made our interests not only so individual but has also allowed us to enter niche communities that make our allegiances to our existing preferences so fierce. My goal is to build my niche community. A fan base that is laser-focused on interest in what I put out. It will likely result in a small, core base… but that loyalty is invaluable. An impassioned fan spreads their favorite music like a missionary. I think this is the way the modern musician should strive to reach a wider audience. Find and craft a unique style, build a small fiercely loyal fan base and allow them to spread the word. I think the days of striving for mass appeal are over.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
I have a new single titled McLean which will be released later in 2022 that I’m really excited about. This one was inspired by my mother and her hometown of McLean Saskatchewan. I also really enjoy recording videos of my solo jam sessions in my studio. I post these regularly to my instagram. All of the links to my social media are available on my website: www.hootinmusic.com
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel you would be best suited to open for?
I think Half Moon Run would be a great group to open for.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
He’s already getting pretty popular but I am a massive fan of an artist named Still Woozy. I think the world would be a better place if everyone listened to his music hahaha.
What are your own first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
I really don’t remember the details but when I was super young (5 or 6) I was in some traveling show that did a number of shows in western Canada. The only thing I remember was playing the violin part for a live performance of “Cotton-Eyed Joe” by Rednex. It was terrifying. But the song was a huge hit at the time and seeing people really light up was pretty impactful.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
I saw one of my favorite Canadian bands in Victoria B.C. called Wintersleep. I’m a drummer by trade but have never been a fan of Rush’s Neil Peart. I respect his technical prowess (how could you not) but he was robotic, and I felt he had no real spirit to his style. The drummer from Wintersleep (Loel Campbell) however is the complete opposite. People who don’t know any better often make fun of Ringo Starr as a terrible drummer. Ringo is a minimalist and brilliant one at that. He didn’t just keep rhythm, he used his drums to create a soundscape. Think of the song ;Come Together’. It’s an amazing example of how drums can be so much more than just rhythm. Though I wouldn’t call Loel Campbell from Wintersleep a minimalist, he has the same incredible skill of using his drums to add incredible depth of texture to the song. Seeing them live, I was fixated. I don’t think I watched what the other band members were doing even once. Haha.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
I can’t fathom how any socially aware person could pick just one issue to be passionate about. Gun safety, American imperialism, the pandemic, inflation, reconciliation, climate change… The list goes on and on. I think like most people it feels like simultaneously being pulled apart in more directions than you can count. I wish I could say I’m satisfied with the level of action I’ve taken on even one of these issues but, like most people I think, I can’t. It’s something I need to reflect on and make improvements, and I hope everyone reading this would say the same.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I’m a big fan of Dashboard Confessional. Sometimes it feels good to listen to angsty teen music that makes you feel like the confused self-conscious teenager you once were. I used to hide this but I’ve found more often than not people relate to it more than make fun of me for it.
Although 2021 was another year to forget, there were some amazing new albums released, what would be your album of last year? And, what new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
I mentioned them before but I’m a massive fan of Half Moon Run from Montreal. They are putting out incredible music and performances all over the place. Sit yourself down and listen to one of their albums beginning to end. Treat yo’ self
What does the remainder of 2022 hold for you?
I’m releasing a single every 3 or 4 months. It’s a lot of fun to hyper-focus on one track at a time. If I hit a roadblock on it I can just walk away for a couple of days and process rather than feeling pressured to complete it. It’s an amazing way to work. I also love recording myself goofing around in my studio. I put these jams on my Instagram fairly regularly.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
I am by far the most active on Instagram. You can find me at https://www.instagram.com/hootinmusic/ You can find links to all of my social media accounts on my website at www.hootinmusic.com
