NYCS Swag Spotlight: Hudson Valley

We especially love introducing our followers to country artists and groups who are from our home state of New York. This week’s Swag Spotlight fits the bill. Hudson Valley is a new female-fronted country band that is rooted in country vocals with a rock-infused sound, all while keeping with a fresh perspective that comes from growing up in New York.

We chatted with the lead singer, Sarah Owens and her drum-playing husband, Richie, one of the members of her band, all about their journey together, their new music, and how the landscape of country music has changed over the years.

Both Sarah and Richie grew up in Hudson Valley, New York, but it was Sarah who always dreamed of playing music. “It was always music,” she tells us, “There’s never been another option for me […] I was going to be a country singer,” adding later, “For me, I always sang country music, it was always my thing.” Sarah grew up on female powerhouses in the country music genre like Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and Trisha Yearwood, despite her friends being interested in other genres, and country music not getting the recognition it deserved in New York during her upbringing.

Although she played music her entire life, including playing in a cover band with her husband, it wasn’t until 2018, when she and her new husband finally made the big move to Nashville. “Once we came down here, it was just all country all the time, and I was like, finally, we were where we needed to be,” she explains. The plan originally was to continue to write and eventually release music as a solo female artist; however, an industry executive suggested that she create a band instead. After a night out with her husband and two other potential band members, Hudson Valley was formed.

 

Currently, Sarah fronts the band with Richie playing drums, Andrew Kopek on bass, and Matthew Farinelli on guitar. The foursome combined their influences in the rock, punk rock, and country music genre to create a sound that makes Hudson Valley so authentic and unique. Because of the vast influences, the songstress tells us, “With being influenced by rock music, Hudson Valley is [essentially] a rock band with country lyrics.”

That notion is ever present in their newest released single “Right Place Now.” Ironically, the romantic country-rock jam was the first song that Sarah ever co-wrote during her trip to Nashville in 2017, just before she moved. “I had always written my own music, but I had her written music with people who had number one songs. I was scared to death,” she shares with us about writing with fellow country artist Sheri Austin.

After getting the idea one night after seeing Vince Gill perform at the coveted Grand Ole Opry, she took the title “Right Place Now” to a write, ultimately creating the song. “I wanted it to be something about being in the right place now. As much as it was about being in Nashville because that’s where I feel like I belonged,” she explains, “It suddenly became about my husband. As much as it’s about a place, it’s about a love at the same time.” The brand new single ultimately has its root in Nashville but is relatable because of the romance.

We think this is only the beginning for Hudson Valley. Their unique perspective on country music will keep them in the limelight for sure, as they continue their journey. Currently, the band has a residency at Blake Shelton’s bar, ‘Ole Red’ in Nashville and plan to release three more songs before the year is up. The group also promises that they will be out there touring again when it is safe for fans to come to shows, and hopefully playing venues in New York! Until then, fans can enjoy their new single and their previously released project Seven.

To keep up with Hudson Valley follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Right Place Now” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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