Taken from his forthcoming new album Digging Up The Scars (out 23 April UK/EU), Neilson Hubbard‘s lead track has a chorus that soars with the spirited declaration of “Digging up, digging up the scars, I don’t mind if you don’t mind, knowing who we are”.
It’s a theme that runs through his new album, described as a pleading question to a lover and the universe at the same time, asking “What do I believe in? What do you believe in? What do we believe in?” While known as a solo artist and renowned producer, Hubbard is also a keen photographer and filmmaker (with Joshua Britt, through their company Neighborhoods Apart, he directs and produces music videos). I’ve seen some of his photography work and love how he uses a shallow depth of field and careful framing to isolate his subject, giving his work a greater authenticity and stronger presence. It’s also a way of seeing inside the photographer’s eye…an insight into their mind and feelings – a projection of how they see the world. It’s easy to draw parallels between this and his music which looks beneath the surface of the every-day for a deeper meaning, raising questions that we all ask but rarely share.
Watch his accompanying video for the title track below.
Neilson Hubbard on Digging Up The Scars
Like many of the songs on the record…. I wrote this with Ben Glover. He helped me hone in on the theme of the album which encapsulates this song. Digging up the scars is about digging for the truth in ourselves and each other…. to ask the questions and not be afraid of the answers.
It’s always special to work on videos with my video partner Joshua Britt from Neighborhoods apart. He helped me bring this one to life at the beginning of the snow and ice storm in February. Also my wife is always game to jump in and dig in the snow without gloves or do some expert shoveling when it’s 10 degrees. It’s always a group effort.
Without giving too much away, the album sees a few changes in Hubbard’s sound including the addition of Juan Solorzano’s lap steel which lifts those soft understated vocals. It’s also been described as the apex of his art, epic and intimate, symphonic and simple. One to look forward to.
Digging up the Scars is out on 23 April (UK/EU).
http://www.neilsonhubbard.com/