In the ever-evolving world of music, few artists stand out as distinctly as PawPaw Rod. Known offstage as Rodney Hulsey, PawPaw Rod is making waves with his genre-blending approach that marries funk, R&B, and pop in unexpected ways. His latest project, Doobie Mouth, marks a significant step in his artistic journey, offering a fresh exploration of love, self-growth, and the dynamic experiences of life on the road.
Raised in Oklahoma with deep roots in the soulful sounds of Motown, PawPaw Rod’s music is a testament to his early influences and his evolution as an artist. His stage name pays homage to his grandfather and reflects the familial and cultural connections that have shaped his music. Doobie Mouth, the title of both the EP and a playful persona, embodies his laid-back, creative spirit while allowing him to explore new musical territories.
Chatting with Schön!, PawPaw Rod discusses the inspiration behind his music, the impact of his upbringing as a military brat, and what fans can expect from Doobie Mouth. As he gears up for a major tour, PawPaw Rod shares insights into his creative process and his hopes for the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did you come up with the name Pawpaw Rod?
I definitely caught the bug for music early on. Growing up, music was always in the house —Motown CDs, Jackson 5 movies, The Temptations. My family was really into that, and it sparked my love for performing. I got my first taste of it in church, and holding that microphone, I knew I needed more. Over time, I just chipped away at it through different band setups and different artists’ names. It’s been a long journey, and I’m thankful to say I truly love it and I’ve fallen in love with the work with it so much that I don’t ever see myself stopping. The name Pawpaw Rod comes from my Oklahoma roots. In the South and Midwest, ‘Pawpaw’ is what we call our grandfathers. My friends used to joke that I acted like an old man, so they started calling me Pawpaw Rod. In hip hop, having a name given by your community is significant, and this one stuck because it honours my roots and my grandfather, who always had words of wisdom to give you, always had cool rings on with the goatee and the square boots.
You’ve lived in various places due to your military upbringing. How has that influenced your music?
I feel like so far in my life through travelling and going to different shows, campaigns, and photo shoots, I meet a lot of people who are military brats as well. What I get from being on set and in studio sessions is a sense of camaraderie, a sense of belonging or being a part of something. When I’m on stage, I’m getting a sort of attention that’s reminiscent of being a new kid in a school and having to introduce yourself. Maybe there’s a sense of attention and belonging that comes from being in the entertainment field or meeting new people constantly. I think in a lot of ways, that affected my music. It affected the way I feel, as if I pulled from different genres because the sounds were always different based on the places I moved to. I absorbed all of that like a sponge. It was bittersweet when I was younger because I hated having to move every couple of years and having to be accepting of change. But nowadays, it’s the reason for who I am and why I am the way I am. I can go to a new city and get on that stage like I’ve been there before. I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and it led me here.
Your new EP, Doobie Mouth, is coming out soon. Can you tell us more about it?
I think it’s just a continuation. I tell people a lot in interviews that my style is like a wedding —something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I also feel like I’m time-travelling through sounds. One minute you might hear something that’s very ’70s inspired, and something else might have an ’80s pop or dance music feel. On this project, I have a song called ‘When I Get Home’ that’s more R&B-driven in a modern sense. ‘Cherry Tree’ has a pop style to it. I think it’s just me taking all the experiences I’ve had in life and letting them all be showcased. It feels like uncharted territory because some of the sounds on this project are my first time really embracing them. Along with the name PawPaw, I was also called ‘Doobie Mouth’ because I’m always smoking a joint or something. It was more like an ode to how I came up. That same kid is still present in this forever-changing life. I like to think of music as how I motivate myself. When I’m writing these songs, it’s getting me through confusion or sadness or things that I need to keep going, and it’s a plus that people are enjoying it so I can sing it with them. I have a song on the project called ‘Hello Dear’ where I say, ‘All the nights I cried for myself, I’d hide with a way up, hope it’s not too soon to embrace this room as the healed me only one way to find out.’ That’s me having a conversation with myself and allowing my music to serve as an open diary for my dreams, hopes, and the world I’d like to live in.
What do you hope listeners take away from this new EP?
I want people to feel like they’re always welcome when they listen to my music. It’s something that’s hopefully a soundtrack for forward movement — enjoying time with family, enjoying solitude, embracing the unknown, and having a lust for life and a sense of purpose. Even if you don’t have a sense of purpose, it’s a place where you can be, where you won’t be judged, and you can just have a good time, let loose, or escape. Those are all the things I try to capture and want out of life.
You’re about to go on a big tour, and you’ve just completed your first Lollapalooza. What are your thoughts on performing these new songs live? And do you have plans to tour internationally?
I’m excited to bring these new songs to the stage. I’ve already been performing some of them, like “Shadow” and “Hello Dear,” and it’s been amazing to see people dancing and singing along even before the songs are officially out. I’ve worked closely with producers to ensure that the songs translate well live, with elements that encourage crowd participation. I think we’ve nailed it, and I can’t wait to see how people respond when I hit the road. The tour that I’m going on will be around 30 dates. I’m doing a couple of them as support on Still Woozy’s tour, and around 10 or so as my own headlining shows. Currently, the tour is US-based, but I’ll be heading internationally soon. I think that my music has a lot of universal appeal and I’m looking forward to sharing it with people around the world.
Are there any upcoming collaborations or other projects you’re excited about, either before or after the EP release?
I’m always working on new material and seeing what comes next. Right now, my focus is on the upcoming tour and preparing for it physically and mentally. I have some ideas and projects in the pipeline, but for now, my main focus is on delivering a great tour and continuing to create music.
Reflecting on your journey so far, how do you feel you’ve grown as an artist, and what has stayed constant in your music?
I’ve definitely grown, but what’s stayed constant is that music is how I communicate with the world. Every project I release is like a self-declaration — a message in a bottle hoping to connect with someone out there. Music is a way that I heal myself. When I put out a project, it always brings me closer to friends or someone I have a crush on, or it helps me see certain things I didn’t see before. It’s a conversation I’m having with myself, and I don’t plan to stop talking. I’ll keep making music that speaks to my journey and hopefully inspires others.
PawPaw Rod’s new EP is out now.
words. Gennaro Costanzo
