Published: December 13, 2009 8:04 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight December 2009 Edition
Graylit
Alternative/Rock Music Artist/Band of the Week December 13, 2009 - December 19, 2009
Graylit
Recently, I had the pleasure to speak with a group of talented guys in a fun and colorful interview about the band's music. Music fans will gravitate towards Graylit's fantastic sound when they hear the band's music. What is particular appealing about their music is that the band's style has a familiar sound of other today's music but with a unique spin that Graylit has added. With just enough of an alternative/pop appeal, Graylit will make you become an instant fan of their music. Check out what we talked about in this new spotlight with Graylit.
Isaac: What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name?
Have you changed the band's name before?
Graylit: Our band name is Graylit, which comes from a play on the meaning of "gray literature". Gray literature, if you don't know, refers primarily to written materials not found through mainstream channels.
For our purposes as a band, it expresses our desires to maintain our musical integrity, not being subject to the mainstream. And that's not to say we desire to avoid the mainstream; we simply cannot make the mainstream our focus.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Graylit: We would most likely fit within an alternative genre... Ha, and even a list of our major influences would be nearly impossible. Our musical tastes from one band member to another vary from Our Lady Peace to Chet Baker, then from Counting Crows to Deftones.
Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet? When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Graylit: We've all known each other for about 8 to 10 years... Most of us met in college (Jeff and Chris met at Chris' birth). Jeff and Mike met during their freshman year, Chris (Jeff's brother) joined them the following year (2000), and Lee met everyone in 2001.
We've all been playing music together about as long as we've known each other, but we didn't form Graylit until 2005. We enjoyed playing together in college, and we decided we would rather play music for a living more than do anything else. Soon after that, we were all living in Nashville together.
Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Graylit: We are affiliated with SESAC. There is no label yet, however we are open to it.
And we are working on a partnership with Artists for Literacy (www.artistsforliteracy.org), although the details aren't all finalized. Illiteracy statistics are staggering... And we want to raise awareness and support for local initiatives that benefit the reading-challenged.
Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Graylit: You know, I think we're all pretty open minded when it comes to branding (ha! so manufacturers please feel free to contact us)... We have all worked pretty hard to purchase the instruments and gear that we want. Cost is always an issue, but seldom the main issue.
Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Graylit: Yes, we do have a least favorite venue... But we're also not going to bash them. They just need a better sound guy.
We do have some upcoming shows. Probably the coolest one is a morning show we're doing in Memphis on December 3rd. Graylit will be performing live on WREG's Live At 9 and later that evening at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
Graylit: I would say we perform most of our songs pretty evenly. We have about 80-90 minutes of original material, and we have a few different playlists, depending on the structure of the evening; it allows us to be flexible to the needs of the venue. No covers yet; but when we do it, we'll do it right. When it comes to covers, as a band, we've decided not to add a song to our repertoire unless we feel we can make it our own.
Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Graylit: Jeff is the genius behind most of the song writing. And our themes and topics come out of life experience, quite literally. I think there is a life story attached (at least at the root) to every song we perform. So of course, these topics will change over time. But not only the topics; hopefully our style will change, as well. I think every one of us is eager to be more progressive.
Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Graylit: One member of the band gets very drunk, while the other band members cut the words out of random magazines and tape them to the wall. Then, the drunken band member throws darts at the magazine clippings, while the sober members of the band throw darts at the drunken band member.
Later on, Jeff writes a song.
Okay, enough of that... In our music making process, the song is king; and we all try to serve the song.
Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Graylit: We practice as a group once a week, usually on the weekend; and during the week, we practice on our own. We've found that it does little good to practice as a group if you do not also make time to grow individually.
Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Graylit: Oh, my... You should hear some of our earlier stuff. No, wait. No, you shouldn't...
We are much more musically diverse now; and compared to when we started, our music now is a more-true extension of ourselves... our language, and even our melodies, are more expressive and involving.
Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Graylit: Easily, our biggest challenge has been completing 'The World's Out Late' ... And obviously we have overcome that challenge. Haha, we could actually do an entire interview solely on the lessons we've learned while recording the album: speaking on money, people, engineering, the industry, etc.
And while we have 'completed' the album, our music is often a picture of who Graylit is as a band, in that moment... so our songs continue to evolve. We can all listen to 'The World's Out Late' and appreciate Graylit in that moment, but we are even more excited about who Graylit will be.
Isaac: What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Graylit: Ha... now that's a loaded question. Of course fame and fortune would be fantastic!* But that isn't necessarily what we are "seeking", if you understand. Quite simply, we want to play our music for a living. We want to travel the world and play music. We are open when it comes to almost everything else.
*Chris would like the fortune, hold the fame.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
