We had the good fortune of connecting with Pete Atkinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pete, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always had a knack for writing music and my friend and former member Sam Van Wagoner encouraged me as far back as high school to pursue the music and in 2008 him and I started writing tunes together and our music has progressively grown into what it is today!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Waylon Jennings once said in an interview something along the lines of ‘Hank Williams was the only singer who ever lived who could make you feel good about feeling bad’ and I have always loved making people laugh and it shows in our lyrics for many of our songs. We have a solid mix of serious to funny vibing tunes. Life isn’t easy. You have to make it fun. That’s our jobs. There is no destination. Only a journey. Things are difficult for everyone and they never get easier. You get better at them. That’s what we’ve done musically and personally. A lot of these songs were written on booze soaked napkins and about poor decisions made in life. None of us get out alive and every day we waste ain’t coming back. Call it toxic positivity if you want but life is too short to dwell in the sadness. Feel the sadness but dwell in the love! I think you’ll feel that in our music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d be taking them to Jacks Roadside BBQ to eat, The machine shop for a concert
If it’s fall rotten manor haunted house
Head up north to see the northern lights if they’re visible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our Drummer Danny Kimosh Jr. has been a huge inspiration and part of making this project what it is! He has helped record and produce all our Hard Luck Pete material and recruited most of the amazing musicians who have jammed with us. Having a friend and band mate like him is truly a blessing. We’ve been able to record in house at his studio the Clarkston Roost with high equality professional equipment thanks to him, saving us thousands of dollars. He always has a smile on his face and a solution to any problem! Most importantly he has Trader Joe’s ginger mints for me in the tour van.

Website: Hardluckpete.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/hardluckpete

Twitter: Twitter.com/hardluckpete

Facebook: Facebook.com/hardluckpete

Youtube: YouTube.com/hardluckpete

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