Cody Hibbard knows who he is as an artist, and as his latest single releases show, he won’t be pigeonholed into one sonic or thematic lane. Instead, Hibbard proudly wears his diverse influences on his sleeve and injects them into each release.
About a month and a half removed from the release of his country and rock infused single “We Speak Country,” Hibbard is back with “Beer Problem,” a 90s-inspired tune that would feel right at home on a golden-era Brooks & Dunn album.
We chatted with Hibbard all about “Beer Problem,” as well as sonic diversity, new music, tour dates and more!
Pro Country: The last time we talked, you mentioned feeling that your last single, “We Speak Country,” perfectly fit your upbringing and your way of life. How have you seen fans react to the song on the road?
Cody Hibbard: It has been a hit on the road for sure. A lot of my fans are a lot like myself. They work jobs and try to keep a simple life, but also try to get the most out of it and enjoy it, so I knew this song would strike a chord with them.
PC: Your new single, “Beer Problem,” released a month and a half after your last single, “We Speak Country.” What did you enjoy about releasing another single so quickly after “We Speak Country,” and why did you and your team feel that “Beer Problem” was the right follow up?
CH: I enjoy writing, recording and listening to new music. I’ve always said I’m a music fan first and an artist second, so I really enjoy the release process of new music. I plan on continuing the trend and dropping more music consecutively. “Beer Problem” is a summer time drinkin’ song, so we had to get it out for the muddin’, lake, fishin’, golfin’ days. Plus, I love to mix it up. “Looking Back Now” was a serious heartbreak song, “We Speak Country” was a patriotic anthem, and “Beer Problem” is a “don’t think about it, drink about it” song.
PC: You co-wrote “Beer Problem” with Alex Maxwell, Bryan Frazier, Dawson Edwards and Marc Oriet. Can you take us in the room and talk about how the song came together?
CH: We played a show in Anahuac, Texas. We got done with our set and went over to our merch table to talk to fans and sign. When we got there, I noticed a pile of clothes sitting at the bottom of the merch table. After a while, a guy walked up, reached down, put a hat on from the pile and walked off. He came back about five minutes later, reached down, grabbed a shirt from the pile, put it on and walked off. He did this about four or five different times before I finally asked him what he was doing. He told us he was hitting on women, and when he would get turned down, he would change his shirt or hat and try again. I asked him if it was working. He said “nope, but sounds like a beer problem to me.” It dawned on me at that moment that every redneck I ever grew up or worked with could put something off like work or take rejection and say “beer is going to solve that problem.”
PC: “Beer Problem” sounds as if it could’ve been plucked straight out of the 90s country sound. How important is it for you to showcase your wide variety of influences and to put different sonic sides of your artistry on display?
CH: It is the most important to me. If you’re not putting your own style to your influences, then you’re copying them. I’ve said it since I started music: I hate when an artist starts to sound the same on every song. I didn’t just grow up on country music. There is a huge persuasion of different genres in every song I have. “Beer Problem” was a way to bring myself back to my roots of growing up on 90s and 2000s country, just with a little rocky-tonk riff.
PC: The last time we talked, you mentioned that you had several new songs on the horizon. What information, if any, can you give about any forthcoming releases? What can listeners expect to hear?
CH: All I can really say right now is get ready. We just talked about the different songs I put out and how sonically, they bring out the influences I grew up on. There’s going to be some shake up on the production, and songwriting wise, I feel like I’m writing some of the best music I have ever written. I’m really excited for the rest of the year and what we are dropping. It’s really going to showcase a very wide spectrum of me as an artist and as a songwriter.
PC: Your website shows a busy touring schedule through July and into August. How much are you looking forward to staying active on the road and bringing your music to several different states over the next month?
CH: I’m pumped. Being on stage is a high like no other, and I’m just in my element up there. It’s an hour or two of not worrying about anything in the real world but engaging your fans who have paid their hard-earned dollar to see you. We took some time off at the beginning of the year, so I’ve been itchin’ to get back at it.
*”Beer Problem” is featured on The Best of Pro Country playlist!*
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