Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hodgin.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After playing in several bands in Chicago, I found the Atlanta music scene to be more welcoming with less of a competitive atmosphere when I moved here. I’ve spent the last 15 years meeting great musicians and collaborators, and playing in various projects. When our last band dissolved, my friend and drummer Cooper Dozier and I started Beatnik Cowpokes, our new rockabilly project. Inspired by the raw rock’n’roll of Buddy Holly and The Cramps, we found like-minded weirdos to share our vision: upright bassist Chris Kinabrew, who hails from the storied New Orleans music scene, and Memphis Mick, the legendary guitarist and songwriter, known for playing in infamous local rockers The Diggers. Now we’re kicking off the new year with a February 2nd show at Buteco EAV and plans to record.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The hardest part is always keeping a band together. My last project, The Stoplight Roses, had a rotating cast of amazing contributors, and it lasted for 10 years. But you have to be open to new things, ready to pivot, and interested in all kinds of music. I’ve always been drawn to the Rockabilly genre so it felt like the right time to jump in and make a change.
Local bands play because of their passion, and because they want to share their songs with the world. It ain’t the money or the acclaim. They do it because they absolutely must. But there is something to be said about the glory that comes with rocking a roomful of drunks at Star Bar on a Thursday night. That feeling can make it all worthwhile.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Rockabilly was one of my first musical loves, inspired as a kid by films like Back to the Future, Rebel Without a Cause, and Cry-Baby. It’s been a total blast switching gears and trying to write songs in a very specific genre. It lends itself to wild stuff like writing alien novelty songs. You have to make sure people can dance to your music. It’s fun to let the genre determine the subject matter. And once Memphis Mick joined the band, he brought in a whole new batch of songs from classic 50’s style rock’n’roll to surf-inspired instrumentals.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Our name, Beatnik Cowpokes, comes from a chapter about the great actor and singer Robert Mitchum in a book about film noir. It’s nearly impossible these days to find an unused band name that at the same time sums up the sound of your music, and the vintage, humorous vibe of this one just seemed to be spot on for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/NLsMYKiR5OcWZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatnikcowpokes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Beatnik-Cowpokes/61551006946977/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBQwmk5k3QDakN0IY4WDAoxziDqIh802J&si=9VtrU20KJLu9LAFW
