Overview of How Long Gone — Episode 902: Bruce Hornsby
This episode of How Long Gone (hosts Chris Black & Jason Stewart) features pianist/songwriter Bruce Hornsby. The conversation mixes casual banter and culture notes with deep-dive topics: Hornsby’s forthcoming album Indigo Park (out April 3), his creative process, collaborators and recording details, life in Virginia, family and sports (basketball), and anecdotes from decades in the music business.
Episode highlights
- Guest: Bruce Hornsby (legendary pianist/songwriter). New album Indigo Park releases April 3; first single is already out.
- Producer: Tony Berg. Recording locations include Sound City (L.A.) and various guest locations.
- Notable collaborators on the record: Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend), Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir, Blake Mills; engineering/recording contributions from Ariel Rechtshaid.
- Conversation mixes music- and life-focused topics: songwriting approach, accepting feedback, touring setup, instruments (Steinway artist, Fender Rhodes history), home life in Virginia, son’s basketball career, and humor/nostalgia.
Main topics discussed
- Indigo Park (album)
- 10 tracks, produced by Tony Berg.
- Features a mix of songs intended to give “chills” and others that explore quirky subject matter (examples mentioned: cryogenics, echolocation).
- Guests contributed remotely at times (e.g., Bob Weir recorded on his bus; Bonnie Raitt recorded in Marin; Ezra tracked with Ariel Rechtshaid).
- Hornsby used an Edward Hopper etching (Night Shadows) he owns for the cover art; the album’s themes skew reflective and “aging notes to self.”
- Creative process & songwriting
- Hornsby values “getting chills” as a personal test of a song’s emotional impact.
- He writes a mix of straightforward, simple songs (often the most emotionally effective) and experiments with dissonance/chromaticism when chasing new sounds.
- Uses trusted friends and confidants to bounce ideas off; reads reactions carefully rather than trusting surface-level praise.
- Not focused on mastering every modern production tool (Pro Tools, synth presets) — prioritizes songcraft over technical wizardry.
- Recording & collaboration
- Sessions took place at Sound City and other studios; some contributors tracked from home or remote locations.
- Hornsby emphasizes mutual admiration with younger collaborators — it’s a two-way exchange.
- Life & routine
- Lives in Virginia (between Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach) after long stints in L.A. and other places.
- Morning routine: often wakes early, struggles with sleep, obsessively thinks about lyrics/music.
- Health and habits: walker (replaced frequent trotting due to bursitis), experimenting with dietary changes (olive oil), low interest in material accouterments (cars, watches).
- Family & touring
- Married to Kathy; sons are athletes (one son, Keith, played at LSU and overseas).
- Avoids bringing family on extended tours; gets the euphoric performance hours but doesn’t love the travel/lifestyle for everyone.
- Music & culture tangents
- Anecdotes about working with Spike Lee (scoring approach), Buddy Rich tapes, Steinway artist relationship, and historical punk/new wave era memories.
- Hosts open with pop-culture banter (Kamala HQ rebrand, Super Bowl ads, Nerds candy commercial) that frames the casual tone.
Notable anecdotes & color
- Travel/people moments: Hornsby recalls traveling in a station wagon in L.A. to haul a Fender Rhodes; currently drives an old Toyota Highlander.
- Buddy Rich: Hornsby treasures Buddy Rich rants/tapes and even the Buddy Rich comic-book artifact among his studio curios.
- Basketball: Hornsby grew up playing, has strong opinions about modern NBA trends (shooting, flopping, season length), and is deeply invested in the sport via his son’s career. He reports playing one-on-one against a young Allen Iverson in his late 30s (Iverson was 18–19 at the time) — a colorful personal memory.
- Studio life: Several prominent guests appear on Indigo Park through a mix of in-studio and remote sessions; Hornsby praises the talent and generosity of younger collaborators.
Creative/technical takeaways
- Emotional response is the primary metric: Hornsby gauges a song’s success by whether it still gives him chills after repeated listens.
- Simplicity often wins: Some of Hornsby’s most affecting pieces are simple, folk-rooted compositions rather than more technically ambitious tracks.
- Collaboration model: Use friendships and mutual respect to recruit guests; be willing to accept remote recordings and to let producers place material.
- Tech stance: Hornsby focuses on songcraft over becoming a power-user of modern DAW/synth ecosystems — he embraces tools selectively.
Notable quotes
- “My life is kind of about keeping the self‑loathing at bay.” — on critiquing his own work.
- “Sometimes the simplest songs are the ones that give you chills.” — on what moves listeners.
- “I’m a Steinway artist.” — on his affinity for acoustic piano.
- “I don’t care. I just keep my head in the clouds.” — on not being materialistic or obsessed with gear/brand status.
Practical info / where to listen
- Album: Indigo Park — releases April 3 (first single already released).
- Bruce Hornsby’s music and the new single are available on standard streaming platforms and record retailers.
Episode tone & audience value
- Tone: conversational, nostalgic, humorous, and candid — mixes music-industry specifics with domestic and pop-culture banter.
- Who will get the most from this episode: fans of Bruce Hornsby, listeners interested in songwriting craft and cross-generational collaboration, and people who enjoy musician life stories and studio anecdotes.
If you want quick action items: stream the first single, add Indigo Park (April 3) to your music queue, and check out Hornsby’s old live material (Bride of the Noisemakers) plus the Buddy Rich tapes for context mentioned in the episode.