Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Delaware and moved to Northern California when I was 18. I currently live in Rocklin, CA, just outside of Sacramento.
What is your earliest memory of music?
I would say my earliest memories of music revolve around hearing my mother sing. She’s always singing and loves to sing harmony. I feel I have a pretty good ear for harmony, and I can say with great confidence that it’s because I heard more harmonies being sung around the house and in the car than anything else! (Thanks Mom!)
When did you start being an artist?
I grew up singing and playing instruments and was always looking to be creative. So, in a sense I was always an artist, even as a child. I didn’t start writing complete songs until I was around 18 years old, so maybe that’s when I began to find my voice as an artist.
How would you describe your style?
I have so many different influences that I would describe my style as a melting pot of folk, blues, rock, with some jazz tendencies sprinkled in here and there.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you often explore in your music?
I think I tend to regularly explore love and inner thoughts and emotions that sometimes people deal with on a regular basis, whether it’s a positive or a daily struggle. I hope people can hear what I’m trying to say in my songs, relate to them in some manner, and hopefully it helps in some way to help them feel heard. Writing songs for me has become extremely therapeutic and spiritual.
What is the meaning behind your stage name?
My stage name is my real name, no hidden meaning there.
What is the story behind your most famous song?
I’m not sure if I have a “most famous song”, but I will expand on one that I’ve been thinking about lately. I released “Step Outside” with The Quinn Hedges Band in 2012 but was always proud of this song as I feel it speaks to the masses. It is about how people tend to be hard on themselves, which may lead to a negative self-reflection. I am 100% guilty of this, so I fall into this category as well. Sometimes, for me, the only way to get out of this way of thinking is to take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective. One of the lines in the song that I’m proud of is:
“If you get visions in your head
that make you regret
things you might have done or said
don’t let them spread
because they’re only just visions”
Sometimes we let thoughts (visions) fester in our mind until we create whole new narratives because we overanalyze situations or events to the point where the reality has become distorted. This song is letting the audience know to recognize this is happening, and to simply step back, and “Step Outside” your mind for a moment to find your bearings again.
What is the hardest thing about being an artist?
The hardest thing about being an artist are the feelings of,
Am I doing enough? Am I writing enough? Am I good enough? Am I progressing? Am I making a difference to those who are listening? Is anyone listening?
I think you get the point. As an artist, these questions, and a million more, are constantly running through my mind, which is always a challenge.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The best thing about being an artist is that when I finish writing a song or completing a project, you name it, I am very much fulfilled spiritually. Music is amazing in the way it heals and provides its own therapy, both as a creator and listener.
What are your goals for your music career?
My main goal has always been to perform at Austin City Limits. Growing up watching Stevie Ray Vaught rock that stage, it always seemed like the pinnacle of all shows, at least to my mind when I was a child. Other than my dream goal, I intend to continue writing and releasing albums.
What do you like to do in your free time (outside of music)?
Aside from performing/writing/recording, I like to spend time with my family. I have two sons, Liam and Mason, and just like being an artist, I’m doing my best navigating being a father. It’s always a work in progress. Outside of that, I am a baseball fan (Philadelphia Phillies) and football fan (Philadelphia Eagles), and I really enjoy BBQ’ing and smoking ribs, brisket, you name it, with some really close like-minded friends!
Do you get involved with charities or causes that are important to you?
Yes, a few times a year I donate my services to perform at Sophie’s Place, a Music Therapy outlet within the Sacramento Sutter Children’s Center, performing for sick children and their families. Music Therapy does wonders for these children that have fallen ill and Sophie’s Place, developed by former NFL great Steve Young and his Forever Young Foundation allows for children and their parents an opportunity to escape their, often stressful, hospital room into a dedicated music space that provides incredible relief to admitted hospital patients. My hat goes out to the incredible McConnel Music Therapy Team, and to all music therapists worldwide for the amazing work they do!
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
One fun fact about me is that I was an extra in the movie “Dead Poets Society”, which was filmed in Delaware, where I grew up. I was about 9 or 10 years old at the time and if you pause the movie at exactly the right spot, you can tell it’s me! As I recall, I made about $130 for my day of work, which was proudly used to purchase the original Nintendo Entertainment System.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me is waking up at around 5:30 AM, making lunches for my two boys, brewing coffee, and heading into the office. My day-job consists of working in IT for the state of CA. After work, I will load up the car and head out to perform for 3-4 hours as a solo musician. If I don’t have a gig that evening, I will generally chip away on a current music project and spend time with my family.
Do you have any upcoming projects we can be excited about?
Yes, I have a couple projects I am working on now. I am planning to release an EP in Summer 2024 that revolves around Summer. Growing up back east, my family would spend our summers on the Delaware beaches, specifically Dewey Beach. I’m currently writing a short album revolving around the days of being carefree and experiencing love in a nostalgic setting for me personally. The project is currently in the arrangement stages but am hopeful for an early summer release.
I also continue to work with my cousin, John B Hedges, on a project called “Cousin Hedges”, which is going t be amazing when completed. We’ve been working on this project off and on since the release of my album, “Slightly South of Stormy Clouds”, which was released in 2017. Slightly South was the first collaboration that John B and I teamed up on, and to this day is the best project I have been a part of.
What are some of the standout tracks on your latest project?
My last project was a Christmas album titled, “Night Divine”. I think a couple of the standout tracks are “O Holy Night” and “Blue Christmas”. This was a fun project that allowed me to interpret some holiday classics that we all know in my own way.
What are your favorite topics to write about?
I tend to write about love and personal struggles/hurdles in my own songs. It’s a way of self-therapy as songwriting is extremely spiritual to me. The project that I am working on with my cousin John B is primarily focused on being a parent and navigating through all the stages and emotions linked with parenthood. It’s a topic that so many can relate to.
How do you deal with creative block or artist block?
I have dealt with writer’s block many times and when you are in a drought, it’s really tough to get out of at times. The best way I have dealt with overcoming the block is to just keep on recording ideas, whether they are just a melody line, a chord progression, or lyric passage that popped up in your head. I regularly use the Notes and Voice Memos apps on my phone to quickly record ideas. This way, when creativity moves you, you have a library of ideas built up that you can access when finishing a song. Another way I have dealt with a block is to set a deadline for yourself to complete something. To be honest, I was in quite a severe block until I recorded “Night Divine”, which has helped me immensely. Currently the creative juices are flowing again, and I’m really excited about what’s coming up in the future!
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is that sometimes it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. There’s tons of other amazing advice that has been to me that I may be failing to mention at the moment.
On a funny side note, the piece of advice I’m trying to teach both of my sons right now is: “What do you do if you have to pee?…gotta lift up the toilet seat!”. I’m hopeful they will both heed this advice at some point in 2024 (they are working on it currently…. It’s really fun making silly songs with them while trying to parent them in the process.
What was the best show or tour you have ever been on?
There have been a lot of great shows and have had the opportunity to open for some amazing artists such as Duncan Sheik, Matt Schofield, Tyrone Wells, Nicholas David, Michael Chapdelaine, and a few more I know I’m failing to mention at the moment. They were all so special to me so it’s hard to pick just one.
What’s been your favorite moment of your career so far?
I think one of my favorite moments of my career were the recording sessions for “Slightly South of Stormy Clouds” at MilkBoy The Studio in Philadelphia. I booked a few days with John B and we worked with so many amazing musicians such as Tim Sonnefeld (engineer), Xavier Foley (upright bass), Aaron McHendry (drums), Tessa Seymour (cello), Thor Espanez (Saxophone), Vince Tampio (Trumpet), and even my uncle Johnny Hedges (bass), plus many more. What made it so special was also being there with John B and watching all of our hard work come to life before our eyes. It was amazing!
Where can people find your music online?
All of my albums are on all of the major streaming outlets. Just search Quinn Hedges (or The Quinn Hedges Band) and you will be able to find them. Also, you can find out about my upcoming events at my website www.quinnhedges.com.
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. This was a lot of fun!
