Likely one of the most original bands in Nashville, The Royal Hounds features one of the city’s wildest front men with one of the best guitarists in Music City.
In a world where 2+2 equals 4, the combination of Scott Hinds and Matheus Canteri easily add to six! With their wild showmanship, stage tricks, quirky original songs, and stellar musicianship, it all adds up to the most unique live show around.
The Royal Hounds last release, Poker All Night Long saw plenty of success, even charting on the Americana radio charts. Lead singer Scott Hinds spent three years in Vegas in the Tony Award Winning show Million Dollar Quartet, but he is now back home in Tennessee, taking the Royal Hounds across America and across the globe.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with The Royal Hounds about their latest project, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I like to think of it as good old American rock and roll. We mix in some honky tonk, some latin, some rockabilly, but it all comes down to rock and roll!
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Since I was a baby, I loved entertaining people. Before I could even speak, I was doing impressions of Jimmy Durante and Jack Benny (two of my mom’s favorites, if anyone remembers who they are). I eventually picked up a guitar and more than playing music (which I love), I’m driven my entertaining others. Seeing them having a great time, dancing and singing along! It’s what keeps me going now. I love having played a place and hearing people say, “Y’all are the most unique band we’ve seen. It was so fun!”
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This is a release that’s been building for years. It’s the first album to feature Brazilian wonder-guitarist Matheus Canteri, who joined the band three years ago, but only recently moved to America. He is not only the best guitarist we’ve ever had in the band, but he’s the best guitarist I’ve ever seen (and that’s saying a lot considering I live in Nashville. We have our fair share of good pickers here). Matheus’s playing has become so integral to the sound of the band and I’ll buy you a beer if you aren’t blown away by his chops.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
With so many bands out there, how do you stand out from the pack? It’s all in our live show and quirky tunes. When the band first formed, I told the other guys in the band, “I’m not interested in being another local bar band. I want this group to be the most unique spectacle anyone has seen on stage.” And that’s been the driving force.
Our songs are also what separates us. It seems nowadays, everyone wants to be a Jason Isbell, who I love. But the thing is, not everyone can pull that off. I will never write a song as gut-wrenching as Isbell, but I know how to turn a phrase and keep the party moving. Why not play to my strengths and with a guitarist unlike most have ever seen and a few stage stunts mixed in, well, it certainly separates us from the pack!
And because we’re such a visual band, we’ve really gotten into releasing a lot of videos lately. All the social media outlets help us spread the Royal Hounds word!
What was the last song you listened to?
According to my Spotify, it was “Always Late With Your Kisses” by Lefty Frizzell. You just cannot beat that guy’s vocals. I honestly think he gives George Jones a run for his money!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I mostly do Spotify, but in recent years, I’ve been getting into vinyl. There’s something about the experience and ritual of listening to an album with intention (and a whiskey-ginger in your hand).
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify. I know there’s controversy over streaming music among musicians. They say, “The music industry isn’t what it once was.” Well, it never was what it once was. It’s always been changing and if you cannot figure out how to exist in music’s modern world, you’ll be left behind. I at least pay for the subscription so I feel like I’m contributing a bit. Haha.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Any of our social medias like Instagram, Facebook, Wuphf, or YouTube.
Anything else before we sign off?
Yes, our guitarist needs a Grammy. If anyone has one laying around they don’t want, shoot it his way.
