Meet Brooks Whitehurst: Guitarist, singer, and songwriter with Honest Men

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooks Whitehurst and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooks, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For as long as I can remember pursuing music has been the only thing that I saw myself doing. I think it’s been less of a conscious decision to pursue music and more a result of how my passion specifically for playing and creating new music has naturally affected certain life decisions. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So, I’m in a band called Honest Men. We’re an alternative/indie rock/pop (enough qualifiers for you?) band from Austin Texas. We first formed in Waco, Texas about 4 or 5 years ago from pretty humble beginnings. At the time we were just 4 college friends who loved to play music so we scratched together a few songs and performed them at our college (Baylor Univeristy) battle of the bands. We ended up winning and the prize was getting to perform on a fairly large stage at a yearly event the school holds for the entire student body. At the time I don’t think any of us really took the band all that seriously but I think even that very small little taste of success we experienced very early on showed us that there was maybe a bit of potential there if we wanted to pursue it. Fast forward several years, two EP’s, several state and national tours, and we’re more excited about our future than I think we’ve ever been. We just spent the last year or so recording our first full-length album which is in my opinion our most mature, honest, and ambitious collection of songs to date. As a band I think we’re constantly trying to break new ground creatively but still remain honest about who we are and the music we’ve made in the past and I think our upcoming album is at once nostalgic and unique, accessible and sonically ambitious. I think I can safely speak for all 3 of us in the band and say it’s the work we’re most excited for so far, regardless of what happens once it eventually gets released. From a more objective perspective though I think the thing I’m most proud of is just how hard we’ve all had to work to get where we are just to have the very small amount of success that we’ve experienced thus far. Even before everything that’s happened in 2020, the music industry in the last 10 years had changed dramatically and it’s now harder to make money in this business than it’s ever been before. The primary money-maker for the vast majority of artists these days is touring, which obviously is non-existant this year, and so what was already difficult at best has become exponentially moreso in the last 10 months. All that to say the only way to have any success in music these days is to work incredibly hard and often for a long time without ever really making any appreciable amount of money. It’s a grind to say the least. Beyond just being musicians and writers we’ve had to be booking agents, managers, graphic designers, creative directors, accountants, the list goes on and on. I’m in awe of bands like us trying to make it in the music industry and incredibly proud of the 3 of us for continuing to do it day in and day out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, Austin is not hurting for fun places to eat, drink, or hangout so this is going to be a tough one. This is my answer so I’m going to say it’s April so that it’s warm enough to be in/around some body of water, but still cool enough that you don’t instantly regret doing anything outside. First up, Sour Duck Market. It’s the 1 place my wife and I go to more than any other because they have just about anything you could want at any time of day. They’re a bakery/restaurant/coffee shop/bar that does all of those things excellently. If you end up there in the morning go for a kouign-amann and a coffee. Any other time of day go for one of their draft cocktails and just throw a dart at their menu. You quite literally cannot go wrong here. Most of their seating is in their backyard which is the best place to kill a few hours. Other great morning/lunch recs would be Valentina’s Tex-Mex barbecue, Paperboy, or Better Half. The list is endless. Next, get yourself a kayak, paddleboard, tube, whatever, and get to Lady Bird Lake/Colorado River. If you’re lucky you might see a place called Pallet Pops. They’re a floating popsicle stand on the lake/river that paddle up to for a boozy (or not) popsicle. Last I checked the city actually shut them down (apparently the permit for a floating popsicle stand is pretty complicated) but they have plans to be back once the weather warms back up. Barton Springs or Deep Eddy pool are also a great hang when the weather is warm, and if you end up at Deep Eddy you can stop by Pool Burger on your way back for an incredible smashburger, crinkle-cut fries, and a tiki cocktail if that’s your thing. For dinner, once again, the list of good options is a mile long. A few favorites include Loro, Suerte, Odd Duck, Peached Tortilla, and Contigo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The primary foundation of my musical training/experience/etc. has come from church to be quite honest. From certain perspectives, including my own at times, I know that’s not always viewed as being the most creative, or rigorous experience around but the people I got to play music with, interact with, and learn from in that environment were really inspiring and encouraging for me along the way.

Website: https://honestmenmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honestmenmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HonestMenMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honestmenmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6tn0SCpX46V6GQbDYQNQA
Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ed5eSusVIBEIvmkASgzKj https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/honest-men/id1006846471

Image Credits
Quinn Pierson