Meet HUSHPUPPY

Zoë Brecher has got a whole heck of a lot going on. Between her involvement in Kabells to her solo project HUSHPUPPY the music never stops flowing from this terrific person. Under her project HUSHPUPPY, the artist blends pop tropes with energetic bedroom pop. In our latest interview, we chat with Zoë about gear, inspiration, and family.

A Self-Portrait by HUSHPUPPY

Would You Rather

be trapped in an elevator alone, or with two other people? Who would you want to be trapped with?

Alone, hands down. I was actually trapped in one not too long ago and was so grateful that I was by myself. I don’t need social anxiety added to the general anxiety of the situation!

Some Questions with HUSHPUPPY

What was the first instrument you learned to play?


I started playing drums when I was 10. I had an acoustic guitar before that, but when I got a drum set it was a game-changer. Something just clicked and I immediately started taking lessons.

Who was a significantly influential family member growing up?

Both of my parents. They’re somehow equally tone-deaf and not musical at all but have always supported my passion and career. They bought me a karaoke machine when I was 3 and my dad took a video of me singing my first hit, “She knows that she can be whatever she wants / She knows that she can be whatever she twice.”

How has your previous education in music and performing at school influenced your current work?

I had to take some theory and classical music courses in college, and I struggled with them. But I also took a ’60s British Rock and two Beatles classes, which influenced my songwriting no doubt. I was in the jazz band and had been in jazz bands since middle school, but I also started several bands in college and that’s when I began performing original material. I think majoring in music, taking all the courses I had to, and playing in groups of different genres helped shape my style and narrow down what I wanted to pursue on my own.

Do you have a piece of musical gear that you have been really into lately?

Yes! I recently rediscovered my first-ever cymbal while cleaning out my practice space. My first drum set was a Groove Percussion, which a lot of people start out on because it’s cheap and comes with everything you need to get started like a snare, hardware, and a cymbal! So I found that the other day and played it and it sounds so bad on its own haha but it works well as a stack, so I’ve been enjoying that a lot.

What inspired you to start creating under HUSHPUPPY?

Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved making songs. In college I wrote my first album called The Feels and Wants and mustered up the courage to pass out the CDs to random people around campus. Post-college, I was writing a ton and I became more confident sharing my music. In my head, it was kind of like… “I have all this material, I think these songs are good, maybe other people will like them too?” So I got a Bandcamp. I don’t remember how I came up with the name HUSHPUPPY, but hushpuppies are one of my favorite foods.

What has been the most influential moment in your career to date?

A friend of mine made a Facebook post recommending different artists. In the blurb about HUSHPUPPY she wrote, “for fans of dykes in general,” and I thought wow! Totally! I think I found my niche.

What has been keeping you creatively inspired lately?

I’ve been going through phases of being super inspired and completely uninspired. A few months ago, I did a song-a-day challenge where I had to write and share a song every day for a week with 28 other musicians. You can listen to those on my Bandcamp page (hushpuppymusic.bandcamp.com). I named it ’24/7’ because I was completely consumed by it for an entire week. It thrust me into this very creative zone that lasted for weeks after it was over. But it’s been hard keeping that up with everything going on in the country and the world and the uncertainty of my future as a musician. That being said, my friends are all releasing these brilliant albums and with the introduction of Bandcamp Day, it feels like there’s new music coming out constantly by people I admire which is inspiring. It’s keeping me on my toes.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Yes. Some big news! I have a new album that is currently being mixed by the incredible Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties!! I hope to find a home for it once it’s complete. Also, I’ve formed a new live band. Instead of playing guitar like I had been, I’m going to be on drums! Lots of exciting HUSHPUPPY things coming your way. Stay tuned. 

Most importantly, please VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!! And be kind to each other. Bye!