The latest single, “Catch Up,” from The Manor Born aka Clay Dudash is apt. The Tucson singer-songwriter took a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic and is back crafting songs and performing.
“I took a little break after being burned out,” Dudash said. “I focused on some other things but I was compelled to come back to music.”
The clever “Catch Up,” which was released in February, will be showcased Saturday, April 12, at Deep Sky Vineyard and Thursday, April 17, at Slow Body Brewery.
The song will appear on a new EP set for release later this year.
But for now there is “Catch Up” for Dudash. “It’s an older song that I think fits,” Dudash said. “I’ve always been a late bloomer,” Dudash said. “Some things have taken me a little longer.”
Dudash, 32, graduated from the University of Arizona with a film and television degree in 2018. “I felt like a geezer since I was going to school when I was 26,” Dudash said. “It’s fine. I’m trying to make up for lost time.”
Dudash draws from experience. Dudash grew up in Loughlin, Nevada, with his mother, who divorced his father, who left for Tucson. Dudash, who was bullied, never quite fit in the casino town 90 miles south of Las Vegas.
After spending little time with his dad until he was a high school senior, a father and son reunion occurred and paid dividends. “I discovered that my father and I had a lot in common,” Dudash said. “We speak the same way and we like the same kind of music.”
Such ‘80s icons as U2, INXS and The Church are among his father’s favorites, and it didn’t take Dudash long to appreciate those foreign recording artists who found loyal groups of fans in America during the Reagan era.
Dudash went a step further and became enamored of indie rockers of the aughts, such as Bloc Party and Interpol. In 2011, Dudash started performing in bands.
Music isn’t the only source of inspiration for Dudash. Like many other entertainers, he has the ability to draw from various art forms. Dudash is both engaging and amusing on stage.
That skill is so evident that Dudash thought about a career in comedy. “When a band I was in (Nocturnal Theory) broke up I decided to go back to school and make videos,” Dudash said. “I was doing comedy stuff. I then wanted to be a stand-up. I was glued to Comedy Central. I would watch it all the time. I would flip back and forth between ‘MAD TV’ and ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I tried out for an improv troupe.”
As much as Dudash enjoys comedy, he learned that writing songs was easier than writing jokes. “It’s tough coming up with songs but coming up with jokes is even harder,” Dudash said. “I studied jokes and why and how they work. Writing humor is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Dudash decided to focus on music and casually amuse onstage between songs when it’s appropriate. “I’m just happy working on music and performing,” Dudash said. “I really missed it when I wasn’t doing it. It’s just not easy being a musician but I’m back doing what I love.”
It’s difficult working a job and being a serious musician. A GoFundMe has been set up to finance his EP.
“I appreciate the support I’ve received,” Dudash said. “It’s great how many people have gotten behind me.”
Maturity has come with age for Dudash, who no longer has a timetable for success as a musician. “I used to put an age limit on my career,” Dudash said. “I used to say, ‘I’ll give this until I’m 28’ and then ‘I’ll give myself until I’m 30.’ But I’m not doing that anymore. I’m just making music and performing and that makes me happy and I’m happy to do it here in Tucson. I love it here and I love making music. I know I’m not going to headline (England’s) Glastonbury (Music Festival) and that’s OK.”
Clay Dudash with Bear Down Bear
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12
WHERE: Deep Sky Vineyard, 124 Elgin Road, Elgin
COST: Free admission
INFO: 520-490-6170, deepskyvineyard.com
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17
WHERE: Slow Body Brewery, 831 E. 17th Street, Tucson
COST: Free admission
INFO: slowbodybeer.com
