F3UP

B I O

     My name is Douglas Hudson and I live in the Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland.  In Gaelic my name is Dubh - ghlass. This translates to Dark - Waters. It is from these dark, deeply coloured and enriched waters that my music finds inspiration, and with them all the variety of styles and instruments of the world’s many cultures that create their unique identity of expression.  I was conceived into the deep deep dark blue of Mediterranean waters and emerged with deliberate joy into the bristling sunlight of East African turquoise waves. I feel so lucky and am thankful to have the freedom to draw on all of this and bring colours to my world of expression through music.

   AlI I do through music - the harmony, discord, suggestion, volume, silence, legato and staccato, all soothe, smooth, heal, shock, excite and pacify and all contribute to the multitude of emotions in the “Facets of Love”.  These Accept and purvey the inter connectivity of all things in our vibrational world. 

   My first instrument, as with us all, was and is my voice.  Letting my Mum know I was ready to live this life.  Then in my early years I remember a family visit to a back street in Sydney arts festival, where i was mesmerised by a First-Nation man carving and decorating a Yidaki (didgeridoo). He invited me to play and although i didn’t understand the breathing technique , i had one breath and got that note that makes you feel sound vibration before hearing it.  This one note opened that door, you know - the one that never closes once opened.

   I then studied piano but was unable to go through the grades as i just spent my practice time learning the pieces so i could move away from the sheet music and play by ear - improvising with timings, tuning and feel.

   I then worked my way around the brass band from 3rd - 2nd - 1st cornet, then to soprano, but my teeth didn’t like the pressure.  I then jumped across and played euphonium - then bass drum, before moving on and into the fine arts.

   I then sold my trumpet and bought an electric and an acoustic guitar - went and attended a visual and performing arts degree in Brighton.  It was here that I started my journey into Latin and west African percussion/drums and movement/dance. 

  I played in bands and did session work with theatre, band and recording, one of projects and then eventually gravitated towards Scotland.  I worked collaboratively together with friends and colleagues in the scene. 

   I worked as company class percussionist at “Dance-Base” - Scotlands centre of dance in Edinburgh.

   While there I had the opportunity to be part of a fantastic core team of musicians that played regularly and recorded 3 albums over a 25 year period.  Well known for our live performances and versatility we toured nationally and internationally.  Edinburgh soon became my home with the arrival of my 2 daughters.

   Now I am a captain of a small V.I.P. Hospitality Motor Vessel - cruising the Hebrides through the summer season and writing and recording during the off season.

   Here as F3UP I want to share  and give you access to a selection of my music.  It is all about Freeing up my music to share and be available for anything that may present in the future.

Peace and Love in the chaos