“It’s about being young and having dreams,” musician Chris Hurd ’11, reflects, describing a favorite album. It’s clear that within this concept of dreams lies something of great importance and understanding to Hurd, who adds without hesitation, “Make your fantasies into reality.”
Hurd holds a weekly gig at Acoustic Café on Tuesday nights, and is scheduled for an upcoming recording. Though his musical résumé begins in infancy, it was at Fairfield that his songwriting developed and he started lessons with Chris Morrison, who Hurd hails as “one of the best guitar players in Connecticut.” Gigs aligned, and a loyal following of classmates came forth. Hurd’s fantasies are indeed becoming a reality, and with an innate modesty, he acknowledges the magnitude of his influences.
Born into a family where music was choice, he recalls listening to The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Oasis, via record player at a young age. The records his parents loved to play continue to be among Hurd’s greatest influences, and it was his older brother, a musician himself, who got him started on guitar. Hurd’s songwriting began in his early teens, later playing in a number of bands in high school encouraged by his friends and family.
In this delivery is the subtle but essential key that keeps Hurd and music fused – music is not something he does, it is an extension of who he is, and he doesn’t intend to ever stop.
Hurd details all this with humility, humor and sincerity. His optimism is intoxicating and something he aims to include in each song, explaining, “People have enough negativity in their lives.”
For Hurd, the focus doesn’t fall on fame, but instead on striving to make a record that he enjoys, including all the ranging, minute details of the creative process. “You can’t be concerned about what other people think, or you won’t do anything,” he says.
“People don’t have to listen. Don’t come to a show if you don’t like it, or, better,” he adds, laughing, “come to a show and I’ll play to you anyway.”
The inspiration of family and fellow musicians is preserved in Hurd’s songs. It is the strong allure in his performance however, that unites the influences, learning, trying and growing in an enlivening work that is all his own.
Hurd dreams of making an album that could be placed beside his favorites, the ones he remembers from the family record player, fit perfectly among them. Knowing Hurd’s accomplishments thus far, there’s no reason to doubt him.
Hurd’s music can be found on YouTube clips, Facebook, or Acoustic Café.
“When you’re alive, you’re never too old to try,” Hurd smiles. “It isn’t going to be easy, but if you really want to do something, if something really makes you happy, try it.”
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