Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugh McCulloch.
Hi Hugh, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi! My name is Hugh McCulloch, lead singer/keyboardist, and writer of Strange Orchard. Ever since I was born I’ve been surrounded by music. My father is a jazz guitarist and multi-instrumentalist and played for me and in the house, since before I can remember. Growing up, I joined the strings class at Stone Academy, the band at League Academy, and eventually entered the jazz program at the Fine Arts Center playing clarinet, piano, and singing. My interest in truly pursuing music came in my 8th-grade year when I watched the Queen biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
The idea of being a star, Rock & Roll, and performing was addictive. The pandemic had also just hit hard, sending us inside and me out of school. With nothing to do and nowhere to go, I found myself drifting towards my grandfather’s old piano that sat in our dining room. The piano had only been played by a dusting cloth since we had acquired it. Without any knowledge of playing piano or being a real singer, I became determined to create a band. I began to slowly learn what I could from my father, and use the knowledge I gained from my Jazz class at the Fine Arts Center.
Over the next two years, I became solely dedicated to learning the piano and working on my dream. Before Strange Orchard was truly born, I went through three bands: The Aliens, Sadies, and Loch & The Mystic Vans.
This included five different lineups with the music evolving as l and the groups grew into different musical focuses. With the help of local jam nights and risk-taking venues, I was able to propel the bands into the music scene. During this time I learned how to deal with the business side of things such as how to successfully book a gig, promote the band, and keep track of money in a business setting. All of this happened by the time I was 15. During my Sophomore year in high school, two members of Loch & The Mystic Vans quit for personal reasons, I and Andrew who had become not only my best friend but a creative and the keystone to the band were left to mend the band back into functionality.
Deciding to rebrand and start fresh, we named the band, “Strange Orchard”. Created a new logo, new songs, and a new sound. We decided to go into the studio with just me and Andrew, using my dad and our studio engineer (Rusty Milner) for bass and guitar. Putting our collected paychecks together, we recorded three songs and released two as singles (Jar and Modern Mind). Releasing music has proven the biggest key to opening doors and with gigs flooding in and popularity rising we knew we needed a real lineup. We held jam sessions with a few different guitarists and bassists from our classes at the Fine Arts Center till we landed on Dalton Hix, at only 17 by far the greatest guitarist in the state if not further- don’t believe me?
Just go listen to him play. We also collected jazz bassist Miles Jernigan who shortly left for college leaving us to use my father on bass. At first, this was a last resort, but we shortly realized it was a lot easier since he was always there and already our sound engineer. Not to mention it is a great joy to make music with the person who gave me the abilities too. Over the last few months, we have grown and grown, feeding off each other and pushing ourselves musically into new sounds and captivating live shows.
After being in the studio this past June and July, we now have 2 Eps coming out in the fall and a better-than-ever lineup of shows to accompany them. Chasing a dream is by far the most difficult and risk-taking thing someone can do. I’ve found the best thing to do is not wait, throw yourself at it all you can. If you truly want it and truly love it, it won’t be so hard.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Certainly not. The hardest part that seems to come back, again and again, is not only keeping up with the band members and their schedules but also finding a lineup of people who are good players and dedicated enough to keep being successful. A lot more goes into a band than what the public may see or think. The hardest-looking part is often the easiest. I have to send out calls and emails with full press kits every week-two week to a sea of venues in order to keep the band playing.
You have to do this months ahead of time. While doing this you are juggling dates around, changing rates, personalizing every message, and making sure every member is free that day. Once you have the gig, you have to make sure all your equipment is working. If something is broken such as a wire you need to go buy more (this happens a lot…). Once everything is in check, you must load the van. This is easily my least favorite part. For one show you must unload and load the equipment 4 times. Sometimes it’s not a far walk, sometimes it is. Sometimes it is 40 degrees out, sometimes it is 105. Performing has also brought up struggles amongst members. Something we all suffer from is the natural heat of the sun.
If a stage has no backing, the sun often beats down on our backs which have proven to make you feel very sick. Andrew has fought nerve damage on his hands which can make playing painful. I suffer migraines from the heat and singing. But these things come with the job, and it is more than worth chugging through it. Playing and writing music is the delicious fruit at the end of the branch. Often people come to me who want to start a band who struggle to write music or face stage fright.
Luckily that part has always been doable and consistent. Yes, there are plenty of hiccups in the process, but like playing a sport, you don’t always score first, sometimes not at all. But it’s the thrill of the game that powers you on.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Strange Orchard is focused on creating new original music. I want to take people back to the musical environment of the 70s. Lyrics that tell stories, that neighbor poetic verses. The sound of real people playing a real song with all the risk that brings to bear. At the moment, we specialize in creating an energetic and constantly changing live performance.
Even though we’re just a band playing tunes, we are creating a special environment anywhere we play. I like to think of music as physical and not just something you hear. Creating a sound that is three-dimensional, touches you, and hopefully leaves a mark on you. When thinking about the broad picture, it doesn’t matter what form this picture comes in, or how vast its appreciation is.
I want the songs I write to serve as a comfort, a savior from boredom, enjoyment to anyone who wants it, or simply a soundtrack for whoever deems it fit. I want my songs, the band’s songs to outlast us, to live on like the music of my heroes.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Be patient. Whether it’s waiting for a big break, talking to people and getting answers, or simply growing and honing a craft. Being patient is the only way to successfully get through it. You will not always get the outcome you need instantly. It takes time to convince people something is worth the risk.
It takes time to get better at what you do. If you rush it or don’t allow yourself the time that is necessary to do something, you will end up with a lesser product or worse, no product at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://strangeorchardband.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/strangeorchard_band
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrangeOrchard
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCZch_tUQrGsMRfjL8wFqc7g
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ikFACgezT9VQj3ij6
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ED4h6jTqubriBDXJeRoBe?si=RvjA-2zlRBCj5kxxA6H7uQ
Image Credits
Zoe Henry and Xek-pic Photography
