Brodie Foster Hubbard

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Brodie Foster Hubbard

cover of "You Know Me," circa 2008
Born Brodie Foster Hubbard
1978
Phoenix, Arizona
Occupation Singer, guitarist and songwriter
Website
www.brodiehubbard.com

Brodie Foster Hubbard (born 1978) is an American country music and rock music singer, guitarist and songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona, relocated to Los Angeles, California, an event which was simultaneously celebrated and mourned at a going away roast and show at in December 2006.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

After several years in various punk rock and hardcore punk bands, Hubbard began playing his own compositions in a solo capacity in October 1999. [2] He caught attention for his catchy hooks and melodies, deeply personal lyrics, and his guitar playing style; across his lap, using his thumb across the frets, the strings in Open D tuning. [3]

In the beginning of his career, the majority of his works were about romantic relationships prior to his marriage, and were categorized as indie pop. After his divorce, Hubbard began to delve into darker material such as murder ballads that would become his signature, a style Hubbard has dubbed as "outlaw indie rock," his own version of outlaw country. [4]

Hubbard's lyrics have made literal and figurative comparisons between love and heartbreak to vehicular manslaughter, strangulation, and stabbing. His songs have broached such topics as domestic violence, poverty, narcissism, and revenge (including a bludgeoning by shovel and desert burial of a man caught sleeping with the lover of the song's narrator in "No Faith").

His song, "Powers" (named after the Brian Michael Bendis comic), was nominated for Best Song [5] in the 2006 Arizona Ska Punk Awards[1]. The lyric, "the broken heart I wear on my sleeve says everything" is a reference to the broken heart tattoo on Hubbard's right shoulder, surrounded by his initials, which subsequently became his logo.

He has independently released four CDs: American 1978-2001 (2002), Legacy Of Sentimentality (2004), Don't Screw Up Like I Did, a split release with Father's Day (2005), and "You Know Me" (2008).

Hubbard was a music promoter and political activist in Phoenix, Arizona for several years, working with groups such as the Irish Human Rights Coalition (an Irish Republican group), Food Not Bombs, raising money for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan at a concert held on September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of 9/11, a benefit for Amy Dykes of Atlanta synth-pop duo I Am The World Trade Center [6], and a benefit for the West Memphis Three [7].

Hubbard is a proponent of the DIY ethic and has been quoted as saying "none of the music I support today is played on the radio." He is, however, a fan of country icons like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline.[8].

Hubbard was interim host of the Willow House's Monday night open mic, co-host and producer of Grand Avenue LIVE, billed as "downtown Phoenix's only talk show", hosted by Kevin Patterson at the Trunk Space, every first Thursday[9], and also made occasional appearances on Uncle Sku's Clubhouse. He appeared as a drug dealer in the interactive film "The Weathered Underground."[10] and as himself in "Back From Reality," and he continues to play shows in Los Angeles while also pursuing a career in writing and production in film and television.[11]

[edit] Discography

  • American 1978-2001 (2002)
  • Legacy Of Sentimentality (2004)
  • Don't Screw Up Like I Did (2005, a split release with Father's Day)
  • You Know Me (2008)

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Lemons, Stephen. "The Bird" (Phoenix New Times, December 28, 2006)
  2. ^ O'Connor, Christopher. "Wallpaper Chase" (Phoenix New Times, January 30, 2003)
  3. ^ Fanning, Christopher. "Brodie Hubbard" (College Times, August 25, 2004)
  4. ^ Kelley, Brendan Joel. "Single Going Steady" (Phoenix New Times, March 2, 2006)
  5. ^ Dominic, Serene. "Live Wire" (Phoenix New Times, March 2, 2006)
  6. ^ Pitchfork Media (August, 2004) link
  7. ^ Sony Records' Pearl Jam website (June, 2005)
  8. ^ Orf, Christopher. "Aural Fixations - Remembering the first record we ever bought" (East Valley Tribune, January 15, 2006)
  9. ^ Escudero, Nicki. "Grand Ave. Tonight" ('"Arizona Republic, November 18, 2006
  10. ^ official site of "The Weathered Underground"
  11. ^ Escudero, Nicki. ""Show at Paper Heart marks homecoming for Hubbard" (Arizona Republic, September 13, 2007)