Life & Work with Hank Houston of Missouri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hank Houston.

Hi Hank, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
originally
I came from the Pleades.
Also known as Seven Sisters, 7 young stars in the northwest of the constellation Taurus.
My mother said when I was born, she could see a forest fire outside burning quietly in the morning darkness.
I was always interested in music and art. Id ask my mother questions about the music on the radio on any and every car ride. I taught myself piano and guitar about 1998 and started writing songs about 2004. Played piano for a reggae band in 2009 and learned about Ethiopia and Rastafarianism. Started a band called Bringers of the Dawn the next year and went on tour to promote our first album, Granny Dread. (2010)
Kinda took a break in 2011 from music to focus on my art. I paint and also make large sculptures out of wood. I have installed large art sculptures at Moonrise festival in Baltimore and EDC Vegas as well as most recently at Lightning in a Bottle in Bakersfield. I began to write songs again during the 2020 and decided to release my solo project in 2024 on all streaming platforms and build a website for my art and music. Now Im just exploring being a human that can make sounds and images from my thoughts and dreams. Its fun and also terrifying. I love it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Gotta have trials and tribulations! Im thankful for the lessons and growth in my short time on earth.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Im a visual artist and a performer as well as a songwriter. I mostly write songs in my studio nowadays and build large canvas frames for my big paintings. every few years I will assemble a team to build a giant weaved structure at a music festival somewhere in the U.S. In 2022 I was the Environmental Art Director for Mid by Midwest festival in Downtown Springfield Missouri. Im known for large art/murals and the domes I weave, as a visual artist.
As a musician Im not known for much. Yet.
But I like to write music that is simple, not over produced and feels like maybe your cousin made it in his basement. Im experimenting with what creativity is worth (internally and externally )and where it exists after you let it go into the world.
I want my work to ask the listener a deep wordless question that has no answer. I guess they call that curiosity. The relationship between the viewer/listener and the piece of art itself has always interested me. So I think that is what gives the things I create a relatable and almost personal feeling, setting them apart from others.
I find perfection insulting and would much rather create from a vulnerable and open place. My practice is one based in nonjudgement.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Listen to my music and buy my art yall.
If you want to collaborate, contact me through my website.
www.hankhoustonhands.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hankhoustonhands.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hank_houston_hands/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7tzv_jPKZH6r5TurIFq8g and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8k8lZFBSg
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o15j22bwT4&list=OLAK5uy_meonu4XA069_wxQGM7hyV-i6EvaujLjCM