One of the best feelings as a music lover is hearing an artist for the first time and instantly knowing that they’ll not only become a big part of your life, but a lot of other people’s lives as well. We got that feeling as soon as we pressed play on Hudson Ingram’s charming track ‘Linger,’ which reflects on different moments that he wishes could’ve lasted longer. It’s a sentimental and relatable story about coming into your own and mourning the things you had to leave behind to do so, created with some assistance from musical mastermind Aaron Dessner.
Not only does Hudson have the official Dessner cosign, but he has the THP cosign as well! He knows just what details to include in his lyrics to really enrich the stories he’s telling, and just how to capture immersive emotion in his vocals to pull right at your heartstrings. And now that he’s releasing music through a joint venture between Interscope Records and Aaron Dessner, he’ll be able to reach so many more people and soundtrack both their best and hardest moments.
We’re honored to have been able to ask Hudson all about ‘Linger,’ working with Aaron Dessner, his recent tours, and so much more! Listen to ‘Linger’ below, then keep lingering on this page to read our exclusive Q&A.
Hey Hudson, congratulations on the release of ‘Linger!’ What has it been like for you to let the song out into the world and see how much fans love it?
I definitely feel a wash of relief knowing that the song is finally out. I’ve held onto this song in my back pocket for a while now; it’s been almost like my own little secret that just my friends and I have been able to enjoy. I’m glad that that pool of people has expanded. It’s not just mine anymore and I’m very excited about that… it’s meant to be shared.
There are so many beautiful lyrics on ‘Linger,’ with one of our favorites being “I should’ve stayed up watching the stars from the patio floor.” Is there a certain line you’re especially proud of?
I think that one of my personal favorites, and one I’ve seen that has connected the most with others, is the line “…Went from, ‘How are you doin’?’ to, ‘I hope that you’re well.’” I mean, this is quite literally what happened. I think that shift naturally occurs in people you know, especially when your lives change, and people get older, things change. That’s exactly why I wrote this song, though – I’ve been there. It’s almost like a reminder to hold onto those things. It’s the last line of the second verse, going into the chorus, and I think that almost inherently forces you to listen in and wonder what those lines actually mean in the context of the song.
You wrote ‘Linger’ shortly after graduating high school, moving to pursue music, and reflecting about things and people you missed from past times in your life. If you could have a conversation with that past version of yourself who felt lost and lonely, what would you tell him?
I honestly wouldn’t even tell that past version of myself anything. I think that, ultimately, those periods of time in your life are necessary and really give you perspective. It’s all a part of the journey – that’s kind of what I wanted to document with this song, and this project in general. It really goes there to show that at the end of it there really is something greater to all of this. There’s a reason to hold onto the good things in your life, and the things that bring you joy are also a part of that journey.
You work and release music with Aaron Dessner, who we love! What is your creative process like when you’re working together?
It’s really nice to have someone like Aaron on your side. I think that the reason why I enjoy working with him so much is because he understands music the same way that I do. We both are aiming at the same end goal when we are in the studio. Half of what we do is working on songs that I’ve written and brought in, and the other half is us sitting around playing instruments and writing new ones, whether it’s from scratch or over sketches he has floating around. He’s really been helpful building the world around these songs, making them feel like they’re all coming from the same place. There’s an atmosphere at Long Pond [Studios]. I think there’s a sound there that you can’t really get anywhere else.
Congrats on your recent tour with Noah Rinker, almost-finished tour with Steinza, and upcoming shows with Brenn! How do you prepare for your live shows, from picking the perfect setlist to getting your energy up before you step onstage?
A lot of it comes down to just loving the songs you play live and knowing what works and what doesn’t. I’ve spent a lot of time with these songs, and I’m really proud of how they translate in a live setting. I’ve definitely learned an immeasurable amount from being on the road this side of the year. It’s a completely different side of the music, for everyone involved. I couldn’t love it more. I think the hardest part, though, is right before the show actually starts, where it’s just pure anticipation. My friend told me a trick one time that if you stay grateful more than nervous, the anxiety goes away. That’s helped so far.
You’ve gotten to play at iconic venues like NYC’s Mercury Lounge and LA’s The Troubadour in the past few months. Has a certain memory from touring this year really lingered in your mind?
Every time I step on stage, I get reminded of how appreciative I am to be playing music in any capacity. I remember not even a year ago sitting around in my apartment, wondering if I would ever even get the opportunity to play my songs live, no less at some of the venues that have come up on the road this year. When I was playing The Troubadour in LA, about halfway through my set, I turned around and looked up at the iconic blue sign, then immediately turned around toward the audience to see a group of my hometown friends screaming from the balcony. That’s really what all of this is about.
‘Linger’ is your third release under Interscope Records, following ‘Real Life’ and ‘Baby Just Be.’ What’s been your favorite part of this new chapter?
I think the greatest thing that I’m thankful for is the opportunity to be working with such an incredible team and creative group of people. Before these songs, every aspect of the music whether that be cover art or even music videos were all made internally by me in my bedroom, and now that I am able to continue to create the things I love, in the way I love, with people behind me to bounce ideas off of and make my ideas happen has been has been nothing short of a dream in and of itself.
We love that you made themed Spotify playlists inspired by ‘Real Life’ and ‘Baby Just Be!’ What songs would you choose for a playlist based on ‘Linger?’
I actually made a playlist for ‘Linger’ recently! It’s made up of a lot of old Bob Dylan, Paul Simon. Some newer stuff – Bon Iver, John Mayer. I remember listening to a lot of that at the time when I wrote the song. There’s a lot of that Americana/folk influence in there, I think that’s where I found a lot of the sound for these new songs. A lot of it is just stuff I listened to while growing up, Don McLean, Tom Petty. That’s like the entire blueprint for me.
One of our favorite sentiments you’ve shared in your music is the line “give me real life” in ‘Real Life,’ celebrating the things that make life feel genuine and meaningful. What makes you feel alive in your daily life?
I think a lot of what that song is about is finding those authentic things and reaching out for them. It’s easy to get caught in everything going wrong in your life, the world, social media, etc. I think I got caught in that quite deep for a while, and the only way out was through my friends, my family, and allowing myself to be in the present moment. There’s really nowhere else that you can exist.
What can your fans look forward to in the rest of 2026?
A lot of new music, and a lot of that music being played live. I’ve spent a lot of time working on this project, dreaming it up, making sure the songs were there. I’m excited that I’m finally getting to share it and connect with it in person while I’m on the road. Meeting the people who authentically listen and enjoy the music is the most rewarding part. There will be a lot of that.
Thank you so much to Hudson Ingram for answering our questions! Now, honeybees, we have some questions for you. Which lyric from ‘Linger’ makes you tear up the most? Have you gotten to catch Hudson on tour this year? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can also buzz on over to our Reddit community to chat with us.
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