Jackson Hole, Wyo.’s Cary Judd has been on the road since 2003 bringing his indie singer/songwriter sound to any venue willing to listen. Judd performed in front a busy, lunchtime crowd on Wednesday outside of the University Center Satellite. It was a successful day show in which Judd sold more than 30 copies of his album, Looking Back From Space.
Judd’s sound is easy to win over the average listener, mixing an arrangement of folk, electronica and acoustic rock. The music covers a vast landscape of influence and style, which Judd has been accustomed to since an early age.
"I started playing music at age seven," Judd said. "First instrument I learned was the piano, which translates to every other instrument."
The switch from keys to strings is what Judd calls a "weird story."
"My Dad and I were in Chicago during Christmas time and we came across this crime scene, and there was a dead body of a homeless guy and he had a guitar. And that is how I got my first guitar," Judd said.
Early music influence came before Judd began playing music.
"I was five years old and my sister would play U2’s War album, and we’d drive around listening to it over and over again," Judd said. "The song ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ blew my 5-year-old mind."
Judd is currently attempting to blow more young minds as he has opened for big names like Citizen Cope, Of Montreal and Rocky Votolato. Fans of Jimmy Eat World will instantly fall in love with Judd’s knack for writing smart pop songs.
"Jimmy Eat World is definitely an influence. I like them a lot," Judd said. "I never really learned to sing, but I decided a few years ago to take vocal lessons and Jimmy Eat World’s album, Clarity, was in my CD player the whole time. That is what I practiced singing along to."
After the tour, Judd plans to begin recording his new album and resume a touring schedule. Making music is Judd’s passion, something he knew he wanted to do from day one.
"I’m American, and I’m a musician. It just seems like (music) was born into me," Judd said.
