WANTED: HUDSON POWDER COMPANY
BACKSTAGE WITH BOISE’S COWBOYS WHO KICKFLIP
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Backstage at Hudson Powder Company’s second performance at Treefort Music Hall, BNDRY sat down with lead singer, Cooper Lowry and his band mates, Doug, Ricky, and Lex, for an electric interview. Amid the pre-show pushups, team huddles, and constant banter, they dished on their best experiences together as a band, the writing process, and the time a gentleman tried to swipe their bassist’s spot.
About Cooper Lowry.
Frontman, Cooper Lowry, along with the band, made quite the impression on BNDRY as the results poured in from our Boise’s Best campaign.
Lowry, an Idaho native got his introduction to music while attending college in Montana, frequenting karaoke nights and open mics. But, it wasn’t until he made his way back to Boise after graduating when the pieces came together to bring us Hudson Powder Company.
The first time we spoke to Lowry, he explained that he sees colors when he sings: the coolness of nights in the Idaho wilderness or the warm hues of sunsets that paint a late summer sky. It’s a phenomenon called synesthesia. Collaborating together, the band captures the authentic ‘sound of Boise’, drawing listeners in with lyrics that transport you to familiar moments of growing up, getting rowdy with friends, heart break, and all the moments worth getting nostalgic about.
Easier to Write. Harder to Share.
During my interview with Cooper the desire to learn more about the writing process took over, realizing that much of what musicians do is comparable to having your journal or diary published for anyone to read. I wondered if sharing music that told your story was hard to put out into the world. Lowry’s response was short and sweet, “It’s easier to write. Harder to share.”
“— you know, it's just so vulnerable in those moments. And whatever the situation is, if you wrote it about someone, you always think, ‘how would they feel if they heard these words?’”
Lowry describes the intimacy and complexities of writing and sharing music beautifully but in the end, made it clear that he wouldn’t give up the experience for anything.
“— writing a song is so beautiful and creating something out of nothing is just gorgeous.”
When I asked bluntly, “Is it worth it?” Without pause, Lowry responded, “Absolutely.” It was during this series of questions that I got a little insight into the song ‘Distant Love’ which Cooper described as the ‘sleeper song’ of the album and his personal favorite, citing the very real emotions and experience that steered the writing process.
REMINISCING (AND LAUGHING) ABOUT THE START.
My favorite part of the interview was the air of playfulness that was present from start to end.
Speaking about their first ever performance as a band, we took pause every sentence to embrace the laughter that filled the room. The story came through a winding conversation that ended with praise to their #1 fan, Ricky’s mom, Sherry, who was in the audience for their open mic at Willi B’s Saloon. During their set, they covered songs like Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.
“It was probably one of the most embarrassing things.” Doug said laughing, leading Cooper to jump in noting that “it was like a bunch of fifth graders,” saying his voice was off and “I think we were on the wrong key, there was no beat. It was so fucking bad.”
But the funny part came after they got off stage and sat with Sherry at her table. It was then that a gentleman approached the team handing them his business card and offering to play bass for the band.
Ricky, the current bassist, who was sitting at the table with his mom at the time recalls the moment with humor saying “he was like, ‘if you guys need a bassist, I see your talent. I know you guys are great. But if you need someone to fill in for base…’”
But maybe that moment is part of why I make a point to go to any Hudson Power Company show I can. While running around Treefort Music Hall during their set, taking pictures, videos, and cheering loudly, I couldn’t help but overhear the audience’s comments and praises. Since the good olde Willi B’s stage, Hudson Powder Company has hit some of the biggest venues in Idaho; the Egyptian Theater, Treefort Music Hall, Snowfort, and just recently, Yellowpine Harmonica Festival.
While talking about the evolution of their sound, Cooper jokingly responds, "I hope that's a good thing," before attributing it earnestly to relentless practice.
"We're in the lab, we're cooking in the studio constantly. We're in that dungeon and practicing three days a week. We're just getting closer as a band."
Their collaborative spirit shines through during band rehearsals. "Whoever writes the song or starts the song gets the ultimate say," says Cooper, emphasizing the importance of respect and artistic support within the group. Doug, a band member, notes that most songs come close to being finished by an individual, with the rest of the band adding "little sort of one-off, almost decorative contributions."
When touring, the camaraderie (and occasional chaos) only strengthens their bond.
The community's passionate support is not lost on them. Cooper and the band were genuinely moved by Boise’s reception, as seen through BNDRY’s Boise’s Best campaign. Cooper humbly shares his astonishment at the outpouring of support:
"I had no idea that we had that kind of support."