SA’s Kenny Hughes comes of age with new blues offering Born & Raised

Born & Raised offers a rich tapestry of familiar favourites from all his single releases over the past five years, plus two brand-new tracks, showcasing his diverse musical prowess. Each track offers a unique narrative, capturing the essence of his journey and musical exploration. We chatted to Hughes about his journey and about Born & Raised.

Over the past seven years, you’ve travelled extensively and released numerous singles. How has this journey shaped you as an artist, and what are some memorable moments that have influenced your music?

KENNY HUGHES: My experiences on the road have left indelible marks on my music. I’ve had the most amazing times at the different shows I’ve been fortunate enough to play. You learn a lot on the road, mostly that whatever idea you might have had about what it would be like is probably wrong. It’s not all sunshine and roses in this industry, but it’s something I wouldn’t trade for the world. With regard to the music itself, when I started out, I thought I’d always be strictly playing the blues. My music has evolved into more of a blues-rock-funk vibe and I’m grateful for this, as I’ve always strived to play that which excites me, and this excites me. As far as memorable moments, probably festivals. I’ve played quite a few now and there’s just something incredible about stepping onto a festival stage.

Your new album Born & Raised is a blend of soulful blues with rock undertones. Could you share insights into the creative process behind this album and how it represents your artistic evolution since your first release?

Born and Raised is really a few years in the making, as is evident by the accumulation of previous releases with two new tracks. Each song has a special meaning to me, as they were all written at a certain point in my life, and the lyrics express what was the most important thing to me at that time. It’s interesting looking back at the stories that each song tells and how different they all sound, at least to me – really an insight into my emotional as well as creative state at the time. Some tracks are more heartfelt and sombre in their writing, while others were clearly written at more joyous points in my life. 

Each track on Born & Raised has a unique narrative. Can you delve into the inspiration and story behind your favourite track from the album?

Well, it’s hard to pick a favourite, but I’d probably say ‘Blues Truth’. It was the first song I wrote, which already makes it special to me, and it tells the story of a man who knows what it really means to be a musician. The ironic part is, being my first written song, I had no idea what it meant to be a musician! I’m still figuring it out, day by day.

Working with producers like Evert Snyman and Jo Ellis, how did their influences shape the overall sound of the album, and what dynamics did you find most enriching in the collaborative process?

Evert Snyman and Jo Ellis are vastly different creative minds, like two sides of the same, brilliant coin. I always have a basic idea of where I want the songs to go, but with the minds of producers such as these two fine gentlemen, I’m always surprised at the evolution of the tracks through the recording process. While the main idea stays largely the same, the tracks just sound so much bigger, more alive than I could have done all on my own.

Collaborating with artists like Evert Snyman and Albert Frost, your album boasts a collaborative spirit. How did these collaborations enhance the musical experience, and what dynamics did each collaborator bring to the table?

Firstly, I learnt a lot. When you’re the young kid in the room, it’s best to listen. Evert introduced me to his recording style, which I was pleasantly surprised by, and I look forward to working with him again soon. As far as Albert Frost, what can I say that hasn’t been said before. The man is a legend. 

Your song ‘Run Along’ pays homage to some of your favourite guitarists like J.J. Cale, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and John Mayer. How have these influences shaped your playing style and how important is it for you to honour the blues tradition in your music?

John Mayer once said that you should listen to what you’d like to sound like. I’d like to think that my playing has been greatly influenced by these powerhouses. I always strive to be better, and I believe I’ve got a long way to go, but picking the guitar up always feels like home. While the genre I play is constantly evolving, I believe the blues will always play a pivotal role. Every lick I play has a bluesy undertone. I’d never want that to change.

With Born & Raised offering such a rich tapestry of your musical journey to date, do you have a favourite moment or memory from the singles that form this volume of work that stands out to you?

Probably the two new tracks, ‘Blues Truth’ and ‘All Over Me’, as these two tracks feature my full band: The Kenny Hughes Trio with Jayson Pieterse (bass) and Marais Swanepoel (drums). We’ve got a good thing going and you can really feel it on these two tracks.

‘She Knows’ addresses mankind’s relationship with nature. What message do you hope listeners take away from this track, especially considering its deeper connection to the elements and the Earth?

The idea behind the song is to stop and listen, from time to time. People get so caught up in their trivial problems, me obviously included, when there’s an unfathomable treasure that lies right beneath our feet. It’s a song I’d hoped would just remind you where you are, a giant rock drifting through space.

You’ve achieved remarkable success, with several singles hitting No 1 on the Mix FM SA Top 40 and being a finalist in the Banger Music Awards in the US. Looking back, what are some career highlights that have been particularly meaningful or surprising for you?

Kenny: There are so many I could mention. Opening for some of the greatest talent we have to offer, performing at ‘bucket list’ festivals for thousands of people. However, if I were to pick just one, my first No 1 on the SA Top 40 was surreal to me. I worked hard for many years, practicing guitar and singing basically daily, but to receive an accolade such as a this just instantly makes it all worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love playing. This was just the icing on the cake. 

Listen to Born & Raised here.