Hudson Taylor North American Tour Diary: Part 2

New York City
Sunday 23rd - Saturday 29th of September

Sunday 23rd - Travellin’

After a very enjoyable first week on tour in the US with Hozier we arrived in Brooklyn, NYC. We Check into our Air Bnb and meet§ our host Paul, a songwriter, producer and all around legend whose dream it is to host bands, he was delighted when we rocked up. We had the day off so I Spent a morning on the stoop outside drinking coffee, writing words and people watching. Then went out to see Brooklyn. Walked the length of ‘pulse of life festival’ on Atlantic avenue, all the way to the piers and on to Brooklyn bridge where we stopped for a pint and a view of Manhattan. Finished our day off in a bar playing ping pong, having the Craic and chatting about the week to come.

Monday 24th - Beacon Theatre Night 1

We were all up early to film some tunes in the ‘City Winery’ to promote our upcoming show there. We all then took the subway to sound check at the Legendary ‘Beacon Theatre’ for night 1 of 3. I have no words other than ‘this is Fucking crazy!!’ The last person I saw on that stage was Keith Richards! The Stones and Scorsese filmed a movie there! All the greats have played here, Even the Elevator is famous and has to have a guy operating it at all times. After sound check I had to get out and shake this nervous excitement, so went to Strawberry fields in Central Park and tipped me cap to John Lennon’s memorial, then got some scran, headed back to the venue and to the stage. The first gig was great - a very lively and respectful audience however it was quite hard to take it all in, the whole day was like walking into the movies. I left the gig with Hozier’s ‘NFWMB’ as my soundtrack, I sung it on the subway the whole way to Brooklyn and got myself an earlyish night to be in good form for early Irish phone Interviews.

Tuesday 25th - Beacon theatre Night 2

I had a lovely early morning on the phone to some Irish people and took it real easy for the rest of the day, hung out, played tunes with paul and ate a lot of food. Felt much more ready for the gig, less nervous and hugely grateful that we get to do it all over again, It’s rare for us to play 2 or more nights in the same place especially in somewhere so big and classy. The gig that night Was brilliant, I’m Still blown away by the reaction Oisin’s tin whistle solo is getting. Harry and I met some nice people in the crowd, then got taken to dinner by a New York record label who maybe like our work. Then had beers with Our producer and friend Ryan Hadlock who gave us all a lift back to Brooklyn.

Wednesday 26th - Beacon Theatre Night 3.

Now for our last night supporting hozier in NYC.
In the morning Harry and I made a visit into the YouTube Space hidden away above the Chelsea food market. We got taken around and showed all the studios and equipment that YouTube creators can use for free..after that got a great feed in the market and walked the city high line. Drove past all the land marks on the way to The beacon and remember feeling buzzed about the gig. Got there, sound checked very quickly then got the subway to Times Square for a interview and session, then back to the venue and onto stage. we had some constructive criticism about our show the night before so moved things around and kicked it up a gear for the last night. It was my favorite gig of the tour so far, the crowd were kind our band were on flying form and i felt a lot more present on stage and less like it was the movies. Watched and took photos of Hozier’s set again, they smashed it, sounded class. Stayed for the after party, said hello, met some cool heads including Paul Rudd - he was gas! But he sent me right back to feeling like it was the movies. It was a late one.

Thursday 27th - Rehearsal and Promo.

we took the morning off, Harry and I then headed into Manhattan to play to some journalists in their office and then on to a filmed interview. Returned back to the air bnb where our band were all set up and ready to rehearse for our Headline show the next day. We had a good jam, came up with a set list and played over what we haven’t been doing for the support shows. I then stayed in and hung out with the air bnb host Paul, He was in flying form after having the basement studio used by a band for the first time.

Friday 28th - Headline Show at city Winery.

Another Glorious late morning was had. Ate Breakfast in my new favorite spot ‘Toad style’, Then drank a lot of coffee on the stoop. Our Tour manager Patch went and rented a van to have for the next week and we all drove to the Venue and Loaded in. When I hopped out the van two Very excited people came running over followed by a slightly nervous looking man. The nervous man named Dan was planning to propose to his partner Alex at our show and flew her whole family into NYC to witness. Dan said she was a big fan and she had no idea she would even be seeing us that evening either, so We came up with a plan and I went in to soundcheck. The afternoon went by very quick, got fed and watered by the venue and pretty soon we were all on stage. It’s was so nice to be headlining again, we had full band with a full setup, a full house and over an hour of tunes to play. It was crazy for our first show there, I couldn’t quite believe the turnout and the sing alongs. Some very cool heads came down, people from the shows at the Beacon and a good few who had been listening to our stuff for over 5 years and never seen us play. Then of course the proposal..We dedicated our tune ‘ Chasing rubies’ to them both and i watched alex smiling your man Dan sh*tting it the entire song. I then announced that Dan had something to ask her. He got down on one knee, popped the question and She said YES!
The place erupted, they danced together and they smiled all night. We finished up the show, packed up and chatted to some people who came down. Then we all went on to celebrate after an Inspiring and busy week in the city that never sleeps.

Saturday 29th - Last Day NYC

Safe to say there were a few sore heads in the air bnb that morning maybe even a few still out there in NYC celebrating. Our sister holly is here with us singing and shaking in the band. She’s also working on her own music under the name ‘Halli’. She asked me to take some photos for online stuff so We shot for a couple of hours around Williamsburg, then had dinner and met all the lads in our beloved Ping pong spot. We then returned home and I said my goodbyes to the host Paul and ending up jamming in to the night with Himself, Patch and Dave. Packed me bags and got some sleep ahead of our early start to Boston.