Hupman Brothers

The Hupman Brothers are the next important up and coming musicians from Nova Scotia to watch. Ryan and Scott Hupman have an original sound and play with superb musicianship making them accessible and remarkably at ease; they are able to approach all styles of music and make it their own. As brothers they find each other easily in the music and become as if one, knowing where the music is heading and how to explore better the boundaries of rhythm and melody. Most often, Scott holds them within the tension of time and space through his rich percussive guitar work and Ryan performs the freedom of expressive and intricate solos. The lead vocals are exciting, emotional and enhanced by harmonies that are pure, clear and evocative. This can be experienced by listening to their CD, released this year, which is a self-titled collection of 16 original songs that weaves lyrics, melody and harmony into a seamless expression of the everyday love, hurt and wonder we all share. Their stories are our stories.

Born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Scott and Ryan come from a family of musicians. Scott, now 30 years old, picked up his grandfather’s guitar when he was 13 and never looked back. His younger brother, Ryan, 25, given his first guitar for Christmas when he was 9, a Sears’ Harmony, soon followed suit. Both attended their church choir and played for local and school events. Scott remembers being in plays, variety shows and playing music whenever he could. Both Ryan and Scott began playing when they were young and song writing when they were 16 years old. Within a very short time they knew that music was their life. Early influences in their musical development were B.B. King, Chet Atkins and Eric Clapton and while they soon played many styles, their love of Blues was their first love and continues to hold a place of honour in their set lists.

Not always in a band together, Scott played with several bands in Halifax. Ryan founded his first band, The Ryan Hupman Blues Band, when he was working at home during a summer break from University. Scott moved to Wolfville in 2002. He says that he knew he had found home when he joined the band and began a life in the Annapolis Valley. The band became The Hupman Brothers.

From their father’s box of 45’s where the music of the 50’s and 60’s was played on their Fisher Price record player, to listening to their Dad, Grandfather and Uncle make music, to a lifetime of performing, Scott and Ryan have lived music. Ryan is compelled by the visceral quality of music, the communication that cuts to the point where one can feel a wide range of emotions. Perhaps of most importance to Ryan and Scott is the sharing of music together, which they believe moves us all to feel connected while our lives are expressed in song.

For now they perform throughout the Maritimes to a growing group of fans who love their work. They often tour with one of their best fans, Matt Andersen, whom they met at the Deep Roots Music Festival in Wolfville several years ago. They are musical architects; they imagine always changing and new spaces to which we are invited to share. The Hupman Brothers are gifted Canadian musicians and generous performers, a class act.