Toronto’s Old Hoss Shares On His Debut Album, Mid-Atlantic & More
For fans of old-school country grit, Mid-Atlantic, the debut album from Toronto’s Old Hoss (Kris Gies), is a refreshing throwback. Known for his bass work with Flamingo Bay, Gies brings his “mutant country” style to life with raw, live-recorded energy alongside producer Steve Bigas in Raleigh, NC.
The album’s single, “Smellin’ Like A Rose,” pays tribute to the wild life of wrestler “Playboy” Buddy Rose, while tracks like “Smoky Mountain Way” and “Small Town Christmas Eve” showcase road-trip nostalgia. Drawing from influences like Neil Young and Johnny Cash, Old Hoss delivers a timeless Americana sound, stepping boldly into the role of bandleader and songwriter to bring his music to life.
First off, care to introduce Old Hoss to our readers?
Old Hoss is a brand new project from Kris K. Gies. You can call it ‘country rock’, ‘alt-country’ or perhaps ‘garage n’ western’.
Your debut album Mid-Atlantic has a raw, old-school energy, capturing a timeless country sound. What inspired you to take this direction for your first solo project after playing bass in Flamingo Bay?
While I would chip in an occasional song in my previous band I wasn’t the primary songwriter. I did however spend a lot of time working on the songwriting craft. Along the way I had accumulated some songs I truly enjoyed and with that a vision of a new path formed as well. Eventually I felt the inspiration to make this path my main focus.
The album was recorded in true “old school” fashion, with you bringing your bedroom demos to Raleigh, NC. Can you tell us about that recording experience and how it influenced the final sound of the album?
I had a collection of demos which I recorded at home on a small handheld recording device. The demos consisted of just vocals, guitar, and bass. I wasn’t too sure what to do with them so I sent them to an old friend and producer Steve Bigas to get his opinion. He really liked the songs so we arranged a time where I could visit him at his relocated studio in Raleigh, NC. I spent two days in the studio and laid down all the guitar, bass, and vocals. Steve took it from there. Ron Cole added the accordion and organ which I really feel put the songs over the top. The accordion in particular adds a very unique aspect to the tracks. Steve likes to keep the process raw and authentic which I felt the songs required. I knew I could trust him with the mix.
“Smellin’ Like A Rose” was inspired by professional wrestler Playboy Buddy Rose, and you’ve mentioned it takes on a musician-centric twist. What drew you to use his story as inspiration, and how does it relate to the life of a touring musician?
I’m a big fan of classic pro-wrestling. Preferably the old territory days where the shows ran on local television with a small budget. You can feel the crowd buzz and the dark, smoky arenas have a special feel. Playboy Buddy Rose caught my attention with his style and attitude. He doesn’t have the look that you normally associate with a wrestler but he was always able to work the crowd into a frenzy. I had read stories about his eccentric lifestyle outside of the ring as well which included keeping all his cash in a paper bag. So that line started the song and I was able to follow it from there. Musicians and wrestlers live a similar lifestyle on the road. Driving from town to town and performing to various audiences. You gotta be able to work.
You’ve cited influences like Neil Young, Tom Petty, and Johnny Cash. How do these artists shape your approach to music, and how do you incorporate their influence while keeping your own voice in the songs?
Tom Petty has been at the top of my list pretty consistently since I discovered Full Moon Fever in my Dad’s collection as a kid. His ability to craft catchy hooks along with meaningful lyrics seems simple but nobody can do it quite like him. When I’m writing a tune I often ask myself “Would Petty like this?” I love the early Johnny Cash Sun Recordings in particular. His original guitar player Luther Perkins has had a huge influence on the way I approach the guitar. Neil Young’s attitude towards writing and guitar hits the same for me with his emotion and feel for the instrument. I could list several artists and bands that have had a major influence on my writing but those three are a pretty good starting point.
What’s up next for Old Hoss?
Putting together the pieces for a live band here in Toronto. I have a stash of new tracks which I am really excited to record. I’ll have to find some time to head back to Porcelain Records in Raleigh to lay down more tunes sometime down the road.