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Kristian Bush unhitches himself from Sugarland
By John Benson
When it comes to most musical solo projects, the band member in question is usually trying to distance themselves from their day-gig group in order to show off their keen songwriting ability and top-notch performance chops.
This is not the case for Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, who is following up his debut solo hit single, “Trailer Hitch,” with the spring release of his first album, “Southern Gravity.”
With Sugarland on hiatus — bandmate Jennifer Nettles started a family and released her own solo album, “That Girl” — Bush is going on the road this winter. That includes a Friday show at the Dusty Armadillo.
Fans will more than likely get to hear new Bush songs such as the rocker “Make Another Memory” and the ’70s-sounding title track, “Southern Gravity.”
The Vindicator talked to Bush about memories of Youngstown, his solo career and why there is no better time to be a fan of Sugarland.
Q. Looking back over the past decade, what memories do you have of playing the Youngstown area?
A. I remember pulling into the venue. We were expecting 60 people, and there were about 700. I remember being really shocked like, “Where are we?” and “What just happened?” It was one of those things where you guys were like ahead of the curve. This is really early on in the career of Sugarland. We were driving around in a minivan.
Q. Um, did the minivan have a trailer hitch?
A. No (laughs).
Q. As far as the success of “Trailer Hitch,” did you see it coming?
A. I’m quite humbled and shocked. The whole thing is moving at a clip that I’m familiar with because it happened before, but I’m also quite surprised because I know how unlikely it was the first time. I’m very pleased with this.
Q. The zombie-filled video for “Trailer Hitch” is a hoot. How excited were you to make your own Michael Jackson-like “Thriller” video?
A. When you do videos, a lot of directors will send you ideas, and sometimes the ideas look interchangeable, and it turns out that’s how they do it. So when [management] called me and said, “What do you think about zombies?” I said, “Like Michael Jackson?” They were like, “Yeah.” I said, “Can we get them to dance?” They said, “Yep,” and I said, “I’m in.” Also, I like “The Walking Dead.”
Q. If your video is correct, the secret to taming the zombie is to play a banjo.
A. Yeah, I’m waiting for people to try that on the show.
Q. Comparing your solo music with Sugarland songs, how does the new material distance you from your main gig?
A. First of all, I didn’t want to distance myself. What’s quite interesting to me, I’m not sure most people know that the past two or three [Sugarland albums], I wrote all of the songs and I co-produced all of those records. So expectation-wise, it’s kind of like Sugarland, but I’m singing. I certainly don’t sound like Jennifer. And I certainly don’t look like her. So it’s a totally different gig going on there. The way I kind of explain “Southern Gravity” to people, I believe music should do one of two things: shake your hips or explode your heart. And if it’s not doing one of those two things, then you ought to turn it off.
Q. Finally, Sugarland fans want to know that the “All I Want to Do” band will be back.
A. Absolutely. You’re getting me right now. Jennifer is about to make her Broadway debut in “Chicago.” It’s one of those things. If you’re a fan of ours, you know that we’re just creative people. We’ve been incredibly lucky, but it’s likely because we’re just doing that thing we did in that very first song we wrote. We’re just trying to make a dream come true. It takes a lot of work, luck and persistence. So if you’re a Sugarland fan, it’s a good time. You’re getting two scoops when most people get one.