Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard are an indie-folk collective rooted in storytelling, acoustic melodies, and reflective songwriting. Led by singer-songwriter Joseph Turner, the group explores personal experiences, life transitions, and the landscapes of emotion through heartfelt lyrics and layered arrangements. With a rotating lineup of collaborators from the Netherlands, the U.S., and beyond, the band balances solo vulnerability with rich musical contributions, producing music that feels intimate, adventurous, and deeply human.

With “A New Moon” out now, we took some time to hear from Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard. Read below to learn more about Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard, the story behind “A New Moon,” and what’s to come.

Hi! Let’s start with how did the group’s name come about?

It all started back in 2019 with a friend. We were dreaming of hitting Nashville as an acoustic guitar and ukelele duo. That plan didn’t last long, but I kept writing solo, crafting songs on guitar and voice. As the songs grew, I realized some needed a little extra like harmonies, textures, or instruments. So I brought in friends and fellow musicians to add their touches. That’s how Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard came to be: me writing the songs at the core, and a rotating crew of collaborators helping them reach their full life, all wrapped up in a name that hints at adventure and camaraderie.

What city are you all from, and where are you all based now?

We’re from all over. I spend most of my time in the Netherlands, which is our home base, but the Dudes pop in from the U.S. and other places when the songs need them. The music isn’t tied to a single spot, it’s wherever it needs to be, which keeps things fresh and inspired.

How and when did the group form?

Like I said, it started with that Nashville duo dream. Once that shifted, I went solo, writing and recording the songs myself. Gradually, friends and musicians joined to add what the tracks were asking for. Over time, that evolved into the fluid, rotating lineup that is The Dudes of Hazard today. Each person contributing when their touch fits the song best.

How would you all describe your group’s sound?

I’d say it’s rooted in storytelling country and indie folk, with touches of alternative pop. Every song starts guitar and voice first, keeping the story and emotion front and center. Then we layer in harmonies, subtle hooks, or extra instruments where the song asks for it. The goal is always the same: let the song tell its story without losing the honesty or the feeling that it’s just me sitting down with a guitar, sharing my stories.

Who are some of your band’s main musical influences?

A mix, really. Donovan Woods, Elliott Smith, War on Drugs, Tool, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Ben Howard, Lord Huron, Death Cab for Cutie. They all shaped the way I think about melody, lyrics, production and storytelling.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your group’s music career so far?

Honestly, hearing the songs back from the mixer and mastering, then sharing them at a small listening party, getting positive feedback…that hit me hard. It felt like all the little pieces finally came together and the music resonated with people. Not a big stadium moment yet, but it felt huge.

What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?

Patience and trust. Songs need time to breathe, and working with a rotating crew means learning to listen, adapt, and let the music lead. Also, imperfections can be beautiful, let them live.

Now onto “A New Moon.” What inspired this song?

It came out of a period of transitions in my life. I was navigating endings and beginnings, the dark patches of uncertainty, but also spotting little sparks of possibility. The song started on acoustic guitar and voice, and slowly grew with arrangements.

What is “A New Moon” about?

When I wrote “A New Moon,” I was in a period of transition. I was trying to make sense of endings and beginnings at the same time, which can leave a person standing in a bit of emotional fog.

That’s where the song came from. It started as a reflection, almost like a conversation with myself about uncertainty and the strange hope that hides inside it. I’ve always felt that the moments when you don’t know what comes next can be the most honest ones.

You’re stripped of plans and expectations, and all you can really do is listen to what life is telling you. So, “A New Moon” became a way to sit with that feeling. Sometimes the best thing you can do is accept the darkness for a moment and trust that something new is slowly beginning on the other side of it.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “A New Moon?”

It’s not meant to match the song note-for-note; it’s more about the feeling of anticipation, that moment when something is just barely coming into the light. I drew from my own photography, using old shots of the super blood moon and other night skies I’d captured. Even though the song itself is mainly uplifting, the artwork reflects that in-between moment, that sense of shadow and light, of waiting for the new moon to rise fully.

What was the creative process like when making “A New Moon?”

It started really small, just me on guitar, figuring out the verse and the vocal melody, letting the song find its shape. Later, Luke Bohnyard added ukelele and as it grew, I gradually added more layers myself: keys and bass to fill out the sound. Nicky-Boy “The Bulldog From Jackson” Brown added the drums and toward the end I asked Gigi Coppola to add some backing vocals in the verse and chorus. That gave it a more conversational feel and a little lift, without changing the core of the song.

How long did it take to complete “A New Moon?”

Well, it started back in 2021 and was finally finished in 2025. I rewrote some of the lyrics along the way, and recording took a while since I wanted to get each part just right. It was actually the first song from the album that got fully completed, so it set the tone for the rest of the record. Patience definitely paid off, and letting it evolve over time made it feel exactly like it needed to.

What do you all hope fans take away from “A New Moon” and your group’s music in general?

I hope people can see themselves in the song. Those moments of transition in life, when things feel uncertain or heavy. I want them to feel a little support in knowing it will get better and the light will return, even if it feels far away. Beyond that, I hope it might help people shift perspective, see things differently, or approach challenges in a new way.

Music has literally saved me a couple of times, and I hope that by sharing these songs, they might heal, comfort, or inspire someone else, the way it’s helped me.

What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

The album is almost ready, and now it’s all about getting it out there and reaching as many people as we can. We’re planning to release new songs every couple of months to keep the momentum going, and we’re excited to share the music live whenever we can.

Nothing scheduled yet, but we’re looking forward to good times on stage and connecting with fans in person. I’m also always writing new material, so while we’re rolling out this album, the next songs are already taking shape. It’s all about keeping the music moving, sharing stories, and having fun along the way.

Where can we follow you all on social media?

https://josephturnermusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/josephturnerofficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@josephturnerandthedudes
https://www.youtube.com/@josephturnerofficial
https://soundcloud.com/josephturnermusic
https://josephturner.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/josephturnerandthedudes
https://x.com/jtandthedudes
https://www.threads.com/@josephturnerofficial

Before you all go, let’s ask a couple of somewhat off-topic questions:

If “A New Moon” were a flavor of ice cream, what would it be?

Dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt: a little bitter, a little sweet, but mostly comforting.

If your group’s music could plant a seed in someone’s mind, what would grow?

Perspective, hope, and the courage to face the next chapter. Small, but life-changing.

Thank you all for the great interview; wish you all much continued success!