Hugo brings global perspective on pop to Nightfall

Pop artist Hugo headlines at tonight's Nightfall concert.

From Thailand to London to New York City, there’s a little bit of everywhere in Hugo’s music.

Tonight, the well-traveled, unconventional pop artist will make the trip from his home in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen to the stage at Miller Plaza as this week’s Nightfall headliner.

Hugo’s music splits the stylistic difference between folk and funk, making it hard to categorize but bound to appeal to a wide audience, said Chattanooga Presents media coordinator Jonathan Susman.

“[His music] has got a real kind of raw soul, R&B, rock thing going on,” he said. “It’s definitely danceable, but it’s got a raw vibe to it.”

That blend is a result of Hugo growing up in two vastly different cultures. Born in London, he said he moved to Vietnam where he had family on his mother’s side.

“I was always going to go there,” he said, during a phone interview.

Hugo eventually returned to his birthplace as an adult to pursue a career in music. He gained international attention when his song “Disappear” was featured on Beyonce Knowles’ 2008 album, “I Am ... Sasha Fierce.”

As a young artist, Hugo was largely inspired by the narrower musical field in Vietnam, where the influx of Western artists available ended in the 1970s.

According to Hugo’s website, once he reached London, he began expanding his horizons with classic Delta country/blues artists such as Howling Wolf and Robert Johnson before moving on to post-’70s pop artists.

Local artist Digital Butter will open for Hugo. A musical mishmash of pop, soul and R&B, Digital Butter was one of the four finalists of the McKays Road to Nightfall competition this spring.

Nightfall will continue every Friday through Sept. 9.