Gary Hector along Trinidad's north coast, called Blanchisseuse
EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to No Depression’s new “Postcard From” series, where we ask artists for a dispatch from their daily lives on the road, in the studio, or anywhere in between. Our next installment comes from Gary Hector, who makes Americana music in Trinidad and Tobago. He’s working on his second album, Memphis Medicine, and hopes he can get it pressed on vinyl soon and tour.
Good day, No Depression Readers!
I am Gary Hector, a singer-songwriter born, bred, raised, lived, living, and here in Trinidad and Tobago, two islands in The Caribbean.
We are proudly the home and creators of our own music—Calypso, and Soca, and also the Steel Pans. All a huge part of our annual, two-day Carnival.
So, it’s not quite the hotbed or epicentre of outlaw country, Americana, and roots music, but yeah, I’m here, writing and performing these types of songs, and basically, I’m in a scene of one.
I once fronted and led a couple bands, but found myself solo in late 2019.
And I more-or-less decided to see how far I can run, create an illusion of starting over, shake it up, put myself under pressure. So I read a Gram Parsons book, followed by a Hank Williams book.
Of course, I was very much aware of both, so I went in very deeply.
I kept reading, kept listening, kept watching documentaries, kept stumbling upon the new and newish posse: Sierra Ferrell, Jaime Wyatt, Hayes Carll, Pokey La Farge, lots.
Everyone writing songs, telling stories, moving on their own trails.
So, Yeah, here I am, two solo albums in, the second one is still unreleased as an album (got a vinyl dream) and I’m still deep in the situation.
The songs even got a nickname which started as a joke—Trinicana—and remains a joke.
To me they’re all just songs and it’s all connected anyhow. I really don’t go around proclaiming “I’VE GONE COUNTRY !!!”
I am looking to get out there on the road in the USA in 2025, that’s the next thing: take the songs to the people. It’s still the proven way—get on Hank’s Lost Highway.
Big Love from Trinidad and Tobago.
— Gary Hector
