Hush Money Talk New Album, Musical Influences And More

US four-piece Hush Money have released their new album ‘Go Back Home’. We were eager to speak to them to learn more about the new record and more: 

Who is in Hush Money, what do they play and how did you meet?

Seth Weaver, Caleb Logan, Nathaniel Newberry, and Greg Weaver.

Seth and Greg are brothers and Nathaniel is the 1st cousin of Greg and Seth. Greg met Caleb at College in Biology Class.

When did you begin songwriting?

Some of the earliest memories I (Greg) have of songwriting are from 7 and 8 years old, just making stuff up that rhymed and most of the time just funny stuff. But I really started to get serious about it around 18 or 19 years old, when life started really happening and I had things to write about.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Mine and Seth’s family is full of musical folks. Dad was a singer and guitar player, our grandpa was a singer and guitar player, 2 of our uncles were bass players and one doubled as a drummer. So music has been important for as long as I can remember.

 One of your new songs is ‘Bad Side’. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

A character who has found himself on the wrong side of the law and is planning to inflict some form of restitution upon corrupt local authorities. The central moral of the song is to always respect everyone and to do what is right because everyone is capable of extreme measures of retaliation especially ones that are victimized.

The track is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We felt like the song had more of a modern day Tombstone vibe so we wanted to capture that. The video was produced by Andy Pilkington from Very Metal Art. He did a fantastic job capturing exactly what we had in mind.

Your new album ‘Go Home’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

We wanted to show our audience that there is a much more diverse side of Hush Money. For those who haven’t listened to us before or been to a show we wanted to introduce them to a different side. This album is the result of our regional influences. The deep south of the US is a melting pot of music and we were drastically influenced by that. What you hear is the result of nature taking its course after growing up in the area.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded the album at LedBelly Sound Studios in Dawsonville, GA with Matt Washburn. He was very involved in the production of the tracks from start to finish. Matt was an unbelievable resource to help us create this.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Listen to the end of “It ain’t love” very closely. I’ll leave it at that.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

One of the coolest things we were able to do was use our Dad’s original 1967 Fender Twin Reverb amp to record massive parts of the whole album. After he used the amp for decades we were able to shine a light on his influence all through the album.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest? ‘Think Back to Mama’, a song we dedicated to all the Mama’s in our live

Angriest? ‘Bad Side’, A song about backwoods southern justice

Reflective? ‘Need a Little Rain’, sometimes you need bad times to realize you’re in the good times.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That we were able to speak to someone through our music, that we were able to bring them happiness, made them feel seen, or allowed them to escape real life for just a little bit by getting lost in our music.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

As a drummer I’m very partial to my 26-inch kick that is a recreation of Bonham’s kick!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Ellijay, GA.

Apples, Chickens, Family, Mountains, and Small-Town

How do you look after your voices?

Making sure we do our vocal warm ups and singing every day. The more you sing the stronger it gets. Hot tea and honey go a long way as well.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Personally, I’m a big Lord of the Rings fan so probably one of 4 books from that series. Although i’m not sure our style fits the fantasy realm haha!

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

There are so many to name, Allman Brothers, The Eagles, Metallica, Waylon Jennings, The Beatles, The Rollings Stones, The Foo Fighters, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the list goes on and on.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024/2025?

There are whispers, but nothing we are ready to say at this point.

Who created/designed the album artwork?

The great team at Open Heart Media out of Atlanta, GA.

Was it a difficult album to write?

No, it came very naturally. We were very very in the pocket while writing this.

What makes Hush Money happy and what makes you unhappy?

Hush Money is happy when we can deliver music to folks and it brings them happiness. The nature of the business right now is a struggle that brings us frustration at times, but generally we are a very positive and happy group!