Long-time YouTuber HuffDaddy, renowned for his contributions to the gaming realm, also notes an extensive and diverse repertoire of original music to his name – not least of all the fiercely honest, melodic and mighty new metal release In Silence.
We caught an interview with the man behind the music, to find out more about the project, the transition from YouTube to songwriting, and what the future may hopefully bring. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hey – excited to talk music with you, thanks for the interview! To introduce things, where are you based, and when did you first start writing original songs?
Hi, I’m Garrett, but I go by HuffDaddy. I was born in Northern California and raised in Southern Maryland, so I’ve experienced quite a bit of the diverse cultural landscape of the U.S.
Music has always been a significant part of my life; I picked up the guitar in high school, although I’ve had my ups and downs with it. I’ve enjoyed creating content on YouTube for years, primarily doing song covers. However, I ventured into writing original music toward the end of 2023, and it’s been an exciting creative journey ever since.
In Silence is stunning, great vocals and production, poetic and honest writing, with a great hook to balance out the nostalgic familiarity of the style. Was this a song that came to you unexpectedly, or did you sit down to write – what was the creative process?
Thank you! In Silence was significantly influenced by In Circles by Sunny Day Real Estate, particularly regarding its lyric structure, which I found captivating. The creative process for this song unfolded quite naturally for me; I typically start with a concept and let it simmer for several days. During that period, I’d reflect and wait for new ideas to crystallize, allowing the song to evolve organically.
You mentioned that authenticity and enjoyment are a huge part of why you make music. How do you plan to maintain that carefree, genuine angle, as your audience grows and ultimately starts to expect a certain sound from you?
That’s a great question! I genuinely love creating content across various genres, and while I anticipate that some listeners may gravitate towards a specific sound, I’m not sure I can adhere to just one genre. My musical tastes are eclectic, and I want to keep that variety intact in my work. As my audience grows, I hope to remain true to myself and my creative impulses, regardless of external expectations.
Do you play multiple instruments yourself, and produce this all as a solo effort?
Everything I’ve released has been a solo endeavour, embracing the DIY spirit of independent music. While I’m primarily a guitarist and have some basic piano skills, I don’t play all the instruments you hear in my songs. Much of my production takes place in my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), and my ability to read music has certainly helped me in this process. I enjoy experimenting with sounds and pushing the boundaries of my capabilities.
You’re well known as an independent YouTuber – how easy or difficult has it been to transition to the more emotive discipline of music, and were you able to reach more listeners thanks to your YouTube connections, or was there no thread at all between the two worlds?
The transition has been intriguing and, at times, challenging. I’m unsure if my YouTube audience has seamlessly converted to music fans or vice versa. Many of my subscribers have been with me for about 15 years, and their interests have evolved along with my content. There’s definitely potential for crossover since I’ve focused more on music recently. However, my YouTube roots primarily lie in gaming, so it’s a new venture for me to connect music with this established audience.
What made you choose the name HuffDaddy, and did you toy with other artist names when starting your musical endeavours?
I know some may find the name a bit whimsical, and I totally get it. HuffDaddy originated as a nickname and has stuck with me for nearly ten years. It started as a fun term among friends, and I embraced it wholeheartedly. While I’ve occasionally thought about other names, I feel a strong commitment to HuffDaddy as my artistic identity.
Is live performance a part of your plans, and if so, what would a stage show from HuffDaddy entail?
Absolutely, I would love to perform live! However, I’m still figuring out the logistics and timing. I believe starting with open mic nights or small local venues would be a great way to gain confidence and experience. I envision my shows as a blend of music and personal storytelling, creating an engaging atmosphere for the audience.
There’s a ton of music on your SoundCloud profile, a lot of which is distinctly versatile and different. Who or what first inspired your passion for music, and when do you typically sit down to create a new song – is it for fun, or for therapeutic reasons, or do you have some other goal with writing and releasing?
I appreciate you highlighting my versatility! My inspiration for music is quite diverse, but ultimately, I create for both fun and therapy. My musical preferences shift based on mood and emotion, which keeps things refreshingly unpredictable. I have over 5,000 songs saved on Spotify from various genres, and my favorite tracks frequently change, reflecting my evolving tastes and feelings.
Which other track from your repertoire would you recommend to new listeners, and why?
That’s a tough choice! I would recommend Daydream, featuring the artist neverforever, as I believe it captures some of my best work to date. If they enjoyed In Silence, I’d also suggest checking out Forgiveness On My Mind (Rock Version) for a similar vibe.
What’s your biggest ambition right now, and how will you go about reaching it?
In the short term, I’d love to achieve the YouTube Silver Play Button as a milestone of my growth. Over the long term, my ambition is to produce a hit song that resonates with people and is remembered for years to come. I plan to achieve this through consistent content creation, honing my craft, and engaging with my audience.
Is there anything else we should know about HuffDaddy?
I’m thrilled to announce that my new album, Lost and Found, is set to release on November 7th, 2024, on all streaming platforms! It represents a significant step in my musical journey, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
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Download or stream In Silence. Find HuffDaddy on TikTok, YouTube, X, Steam, Apple, Soundcloud.
