Exposed Vocals Interview: Chris J Hudson on Midnight Blue, Industry Struggles, and Finding His Voice
The journey of an artist is often paved with moments of triumph and despair, creative breakthroughs, and crushing setbacks. For independent artists, the road can be especially grueling—navigating the industry alone, battling self-doubt, and fighting to bring their vision to life with limited resources. Yet, it is within this struggle that some of the most powerful, soul-stirring music is born. Midnight Blue, the latest EP from rising artist Chris J Hudson, is a testament to that journey—a deeply personal reflection of love, loss, and resilience. With its haunting melodies and raw lyricism, the project is more than just a collection of songs; it’s an unfiltered glimpse into an artist reclaiming his voice after years of heartbreak and industry disillusionment.
In this exclusive interview with Exposed Vocals, Chris J Hudson opens up about the defining moments behind Midnight Blue, the trials of being an independent musician, and how the energy of Los Angeles has shaped his unique sound. He shares the deeply personal stories that inspired his music, the lessons learned along the way, and his hopes for the future. From industry setbacks to viral moments of success, Chris proves that the road to artistic mastery is never easy—but it’s always worth it.
Exposed Vocals: Midnight Blue is described as a soundtrack to your journey. What emotions or themes were most important for you to capture on this EP?
Chris: This EP reflects the “blue” period of my life. I put my personal and love life on hold for my music dreams and ended up heartbroken after the two industry deals I had turned sour. I felt like the thing I love most, music, betrayed me and I had nothing to show personally or professionally after six years in L.A. I felt lost. Both of the situations I was in were regarding music that I created for others, though. I hadn’t seriously put effort into releasing my own project. Midnight Blue is about my resolve to take my dreams into my own hands and finally release the music in my soul. It’s about longing, loneliness, and feeling lost sometimes, but also about hope and how our struggles mold us into who we’re ultimately meant to be.
Exposed Vocals: As an independent artist handling every aspect of your music, what have been some of your biggest challenges and triumphs?
Chris: The independent game can be tough! The biggest challenge is: how do I make the project come to life the way I envision it? I am working with incredibly small budgets, and while that stops most people, I think it forces you to become extremely resourceful if you have the will to do it. My gym teacher used to say, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and while I used to think it was cheesy growing up, I understand now that I’m older. It’s true. I’ve gotten so much accomplished learning to do it myself or calling in favors. Being in L.A. has been a huge help too, because photographers, directors, and just about anyone else you need to get a project completed are in abundance here. It’s an industry town, and almost all of my friends here are in the film or music business in some way.
My biggest triumphs come when I feel like I’ve made it. Last year I went from only friends and family following my music to being written about in blogs, having meetings with music industry big shots, being scouted by a label, attending a Grammy party by an artist I grew up idolizing, and having a Vice President of one of the big three major labels slide into my DMs. I also got flown around the United States singing on a big tour through another project I’m involved in. Amazing things are finally starting to happen. Dreams really do come true!
Exposed Vocals: How has the city of Los Angeles influenced your sound and creative vision?
Chris: Los Angeles has the electricity of a big city but the laid-back vibe of a coastal town. It couldn’t be a more perfect representation of my sound. I call it Palm Tree Soul. Coastal music tends to be chill and vibey, even in rap, where L.A.’s biggest representative, Snoop Dogg, is laid-back. There’s also a tradition of using real instruments and incredible musicianship, one of the reasons Dr. Dre’s sound is so well respected. I wanted to bring those elements into the music, and also sprinkle in some Quincy Jones jazz flavors—he’s a hero of mine. The legendary producer lived less than ten miles away in Bel Air and produced Michael Jackson. It’s almost as though there’s something in the air that you can feel. It definitely sinks in if you let it.
Exposed Vocals: Your music has been compared to the pursuit of artistic mastery, like Van Gogh’s. Do you feel that struggle and perseverance are essential to great art?
Chris: I think so. To be an artist is to face criticism and face rejection. You put your heart and soul into your work, and some will love it with enthusiasm, but others will hate it. The higher you go, the more of each that you’ll face. Add to the fact that all artists have their own inner critic to wrestle with as well, and the creation process becomes even harder.
Like many artists, my music has a message, and I want to share it with as many people as possible. It has the greatest chance of reaching the masses if it’s created masterfully, and I only look up to legends that have incredible talent and dedication to their craft. Most legends are geniuses at what they do. I think there’s something beautiful about trying to master a pursuit, whatever it may be. We end up drawing so many life lessons from it that even if we never perfect what we do, we become much better people as a result. This theme is explained beautifully toward the end of season one in a show called Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix.
Exposed Vocals: What was the most personal or vulnerable track for you on Midnight Blue, and why?
Chris: The one I struggled releasing the most was definitely Monochrome. That song is about admitting how hard it is to be an adult and how my father made it look easy. When I wrote the song, I was two months behind on rent, and my landlord had just put a 3-Day Pay-or-Quit Notice on my door. I had no idea where I was going to get the money and was staring homelessness in the face. I had also spent over ten thousand dollars on a lemon of a car that needed major engine repairs two months after purchase. My life’s forecast felt like rain every day.
I was on my knees praying when I saw the full moon come out from behind the clouds and shine into the room. I took it as a sign and immediately went to my piano and wrote and sang the song with tears still in my eyes. That’s why at the end of the first verse, I sing, “I hope the moon will light my way.” To this day, it’s the best I’ve ever sung on a track.
Exposed Vocals: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be, and what kind of track would you create?
Chris: This is a tough one! I would say if I could pick an era, I’d collaborate with Pharrell Williams in the Justin Timberlake era. The music they made was just so innovative. The work they did with Chad Hugo on the Justified album was amazing. The best example of this is the song Like I Love You. That song is basically just an acoustic guitar and drums, and it became one of the hottest dance songs. Contrast that with a harmonically complex song like Nothin’ Else, which is a song that’s more complicated than most pop producers would create. Pharrell can do it all!
Exposed Vocals: What message do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Chris: I want listeners who are going through something to feel like they can take shelter in the music. It’s a place they can go where there’s someone who is understanding. I want them to know that it’s okay to feel blue, but know that, like my Grandma used to say, “trouble don’t last always.” There’s something good coming on the horizon.
Exposed Vocals: What’s a piece of advice you would give to up-and-coming independent artists navigating the industry?
Chris: Don’t let anything stop you—not lack of money, bad contracts, or having little or no music industry contacts. Just use whatever you have available to make the music and the videos. Don’t let it stop you; let it transform you. Let it make you more resilient. More resourceful.
Exposed Vocals: Beyond music, are there any creative or personal aspirations you’re currently exploring?
Chris: Yes! It’s all about giving back in a meaningful way. I love social media, but I’m not the kind of guy who wants to constantly post myself doing mundane tasks like going to the gym. I’d rather get in front of the camera to give people something useful—knowledge. With that being said, I’m launching a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching everyday people about what makes music incredible and helping them develop their listening skills to more deeply appreciate and understand music.
Exposed Vocals: What’s next for you after Midnight Blue? Any upcoming projects or performances we should look out for?
Chris: I’m going to release a new EP before the summer, a companion EP called Midnight Black. This new project will be darker and punchier. It’ll give your speakers more of a workout. Both EPs will tie into an album that I’m aiming to release in the winter. I’m also going to do another live performance video like the one I did with MoskoStar1 for the song What Do U Wanna Do. That video has gotten so much love on Instagram—it deserves a sequel. Stay tuned.
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Chris J Hudson’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and an unshakable commitment to his craft. Midnight Blue is not just a reflection of the struggles he’s endured—it’s a declaration of his artistic independence and his refusal to let setbacks define him. As he continues to carve his own path in the industry, his story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the magic that happens when an artist takes full control of their destiny. With each release, he’s not only refining his sound but also proving that great art is born from raw, unfiltered experience.
With Midnight Black on the horizon and a full-length album in the works, Chris J Hudson is showing no signs of slowing down. Whether through his deeply personal songwriting, his innovative approach to independent artistry, or his upcoming ventures in music education, he is leaving an undeniable mark on the industry. His story is still being written, but one thing is certain—this is just the beginning. Stay tuned, because Chris J Hudson is an artist you won’t want to miss.
