South on Main is known for celebrating Southern culture through its food and live entertainment, and that’s exactly what they’re bringing to the stage this Wednesday with Whiskey Shivers. The Austin-based bluegrass/rock band has turned the heads of everyone from Rolling Stone to CMT to Paste and beyond, and now they’re coming to town to get Little Rock’s shoes a-stomping.
Ahead of their May 25 performance, we got the chance to talk with Whiskey Shivers vocalist/guitarist Jeff “Horti” Hortillosa about the tour, the music and the album that changed his life.
If you had to pick one album that changed your life, what would it be and why?
JH: “Saturday Morning Cartoons” by various artists — it was the first CD I owned at 8, because my drum teacher told me to, so I could play along. That was how I learned to play music with other people. The band has randomly picked up a copy of it, and it still holds up.
What’s your favorite thing about going on tour?
JH: Seeing all the friends we’ve made over the last few years [and] making new friends.
While working on your last album, what’s the most valuable lesson you learned?
JH: Trust the producer’s vision and experiments. We worked with the legendary Frenchie Smith at The Bubble here in Austin for our latest. He’s a loon and a genius, and sometimes he would take a roundabout way of making a complete track. After take 20, it’s easy to get frustrated, but in many instances, it doesn’t make sense until it all comes together in the end.
What song are you most proud of and why?
JH: Our new original track “Reckless,” in my opinion, jumps out of the speakers more than the rest. Bobby (fiddle) and I recorded vocals at the same time, shouting into one condenser microphone from both sides, and you can hear it. Something about the way our voices blend in air is so alive and raw, and Frenchie did a great job of capturing it live as opposed to separately, then digitally splicing it together.
However, I want to give a strong and close second place to “Cluck Old Hen,” which takes an old traditional and makes it muddy and gross, in a modern and super sexy way — like Swamp Thing in neon blue short-shorts, rockin out his Crossfit six-pack haphazardly and most sexily making sexy cheeseburgers while drinking a beer.
What can audiences expect at a Whiskey Shivers show?
JH: Aside from fast picking, barely perceptible by the human eye, there will be a lot of improvised jokes. We have a free spirit approach to shows, and sometimes genuine comedic gold is produced.
You can learn more about Whiskey Shivers on their website, and get tickets and event info by clicking here.