Written during the pandemic, the song’s lyrics candidly deal with social media overstimulation
Singer-songwriter Henry Rice-Gossage, better known by his stage name Bud Rice, isn’t new to Montreal’s music scene: he’s been performing all around the Island for over 15 years now. But with bars closing and then reopening, and then closing again, he hasn’t been working as much as he’d like to since the pandemic.
Inspired by this unique situation and, as a post on his Instagram explains, the overwhelming sameness of social media content, Rice has come out with an energetic new song titled ‘All The Same Thing.’ The single was released on February 1st. A music video is also on its way, and set to come out on February 8th.
I had the chance to sit down (virtually) with Rice and talk about his musical influences, the projects he plans on releasing this year, and his new single. Here’s our conversation; it has been edited for clarity and length.
Jasper: Can you start by briefly presenting yourself and your work?
Bud Rice: I’m a singer and a songwriter. I’ve done one album that I released in 2015 called ‘Belfast,’ which is a ten-track album. Recently I recorded a second album called ‘Piece of Heaven’ which I haven’t released [on streaming services] yet.
What do you like about the music scene in Montreal?
I think there’s a very collaborative effort that happens with musicians in Montreal, which I appreciate. I find that my colleagues are more like buddies than competition and I think that there’s a real unity among working musicians in the city. They help each other out when they can and collaborate with each other as best as possible. I think it’s a very community-based city.
What inspired you to become a professional musician?
Mostly my family. My dad’s a professional musician, my two uncles are also musicians, so that was definitely there growing up. I think my dad being able to have a career in [music] and raise two kids off of [it]… it felt like a possibility for me as well, so I stuck to it.
Is it difficult to get by as a musician in Montreal?
Yeah, it’s difficult, for sure. I worked hard enough and got to a point where I was working five nights a week, which is great, and that’s not the case for everybody. I was very lucky to fall into the right bars that wanted to keep me on. But yeah, music has been my sole income for the past five years, I’d say.
And your music, how would you describe it?
I usually just say folk and rock ‘n’ roll. I think that I have a lot of influences in soul and Motown and funk music, so there are hints of that in the songs. But predominantly it’s folk rock. It’s a singer-songwriter sound. All songs are written just by me with my guitar and then produced with a full band.
Which musicians or bands would you name as influences?
Growing up I listened to a lot of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell… Lyrically I think they influenced me in terms of taking the time to focus on what I’m saying and saying it in a coherent, articulate way. Musically, Wilco, Ryan Adams, and the Black Keys were big influences. It’s a whole melting pot. I also listened to a whole bunch of Motown as a kid, Aretha Franklin…
Your first album was titled ‘Belfast.’ What’s the connection between your music and your Irish heritage?
I’m not one of those second-generation Irish guys who hangs on to every last bit of their heritage, but my mother was born in Ireland and I have family out there. I think the reason I called the first album ‘Belfast’ was because it was an introduction to me as an artist. […] It made sense to tie the two together: where I come from and what I’m doing, with music.
You’ve just released a new single called ‘All The Same Thing.’ Is it different from the rest of your music?
Yeah, I’d say it’s very much more rock, compared to my second record, for example, which was more acoustic. It’s heavier […].
And where was it recorded?
It was at my buddy Ken Presse’s studio. He’s in the band ‘the Franklin Electric’ and he does a lot of production as well. Him and I co-write quite a bit, too. He just seemed like the right fit […].
Finally, are there any projects that you’re working on for the future?
We’re going to release [Piece of Heaven] in Spring this year. We’re looking at April for that. Then in March I think I’m going to get back in the studio and record a four-track EP, probably more stripped-down and similar to Leif Vollebekk. We’re going to try to do a more mellow EP.
You can stream ‘All The Same Thing’ on Spotify, Youtube and Apple Music.
Music, art writer
