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Exclusive GRAMMY.com Interview With Grouplove

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L.A.-based indie rock quintet discuss their forthcoming album, Spreading Rumours, and their support of the GRAMMY Foundation's educational programs
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

GRAMMY.com Interview: Grouplove

Los Angeles-based indie rock quintet Grouplove were among the acts performing at a benefit concert for the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY in the Schools music education programs on Aug. 11 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Prior to the concert, Grouplove participated in an interview, discussing topics such as the band's formation, the importance of mentoring, their support of the GRAMMY Foundation, and the video for "Ways To Go," the debut single from their forthcoming studio album, Spreading Rumours.

"We've done a lot of work over the past few years with the GRAMMY Foundation, helping to create more awareness of … all the great music education outreach they do," said Grouplove drummer Ryan Rabin. "If we would have had that kind of opportunity at our schools, I think we would have [listened].”

Grouplove comprise Rabin, Sean Gadd (bass/vocals), Hannah Hooper (keyboards/vocals), Andrew Wessen (guitar/vocals), and Christian Zucconi (vocals/guitar), all of whom met and bonded on the island of Crete in Greece. The quintet released a self-titled six-song EP in January 2011, which was followed by their full-length debut album, Never Trust A Happy Song, later that year. The album peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.

Grouplove are set to release Spreading Rumours on Sept. 17.

Joining Grouplove on the bill for the GRAMMY Foundation's benefit concert on Aug. 11 were singer/songwriter LP and GRAMMY-winning band Phoenix. Grouplove will launch a U.S. tour in support of Spreading Rumours on Sept. 9 in Seattle, with dates scheduled through October. They will begin an Australian tour in January 2014.

Frank Iero

Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance

Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

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MusiCares COVID-19 Fund: MCR's Frank Iero, Rita Wilson & Naughty By Nature, Ellie & Drew Holcomb & More Support With Livestreams & Beyond

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Linda Perry with We Are Hear, Brett Young via Levi Strauss' "5:01 Live" series and CMT, with their upcoming star-studded Kenny Rogers tribute special, have also joined the cause
Ana Monroy Yglesias
MusiCares
Apr 6, 2020 - 12:58 pm

Many more artists and companies have come together during this difficult time to support the many music people out-of-work and in-need due to coronavirus, with more fun fundraisers and generous donations to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Today, actor/singer Rita Wilson teamed up with hip-hop legends Naughty By Nature to release a special remix of their classic track "Hip Hop Hooray," featuring none other than Wilson herself throwing down bars. All proceeds from the song will be donated to the Fund. It was released on YouTube today (listen below) and will be available across streaming/digital platforms this Friday. Wilson and her husband, Tom Hanks, contracted COVID-19 while filming in New Zealand; after posting a video rapping "Hip Hop Hooray" on Instagram, the group reached out to her about collaborating on the new version for a good cause.

For the last two weeks, Nashville powerhouse singer/songwriters and power couple Ellie and Drew Holcomb having been performing fun covers ranging from U2 to Kacey Musgraves to John Mayer on their daily Kitchen Covers series, raising money for MusiCares and their out-of-work touring band and crew.

Linda Perry and Kerry Brown's We Are Hear multifaceted music org have launched the On The Air series, in partnership with Roland, featuring music industry talks, performances and more on YouTube. With the platform's donation functionality, they are raising money for the Fund. Halestorm's Lzzy Hale offered some empowering words and music in one of the latest episodes. 

Read More: Troye Sivan, Yoshiki, Father John Misty, Selena Gomez & More Donate To MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

On Wednesday, April 8, CMT will be airing a special star-studded tribute show to the late country king Kenny Rogers to benefit MusiCares. "CMT Giants Kenny Rogers: A Benefit for MusiCares" will feature at-home performances by Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, Lady Antebellum, Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Rascal Flatts and more.

Later this week, on April 11, the Human To Human 2020 festival on Facebook Live will feature live music from Alec Benjamin, Tayla Parx, Skylar Grey, Richard Marx, Cyn, Grouplove, Jewel, Lauren Daigle and more. They will be raising money for the Plus1 COVID-19 Relief Fund, which has partnered with MusiCares and the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

Until April 9 (it began April 2), the UnCanceled Music Festival is bringing tons of live sets from artists around globe by pairing with local venues and brands to curate digital stages. The massive online event is hosted on the StageIt platform and requires "attendees" to donate in a pay-what-you-can model to watch. Fender's stage has featured alt faves like Waxahatchee, Cautious Clay and The Marias, while Los Angeles venue Hotel Cafe has tapped VINCINT, Colbie Caillat, Molly Tuttle and more. All money raised is donated to the venues' staff, the artist community and MusiCares.

Fender has been finding several creative ways to collaborate with artists and contribute to the MusiCares Fund. With the Fender Artist Check-In series on IGTV, they've tapped bad-ass guitarists including My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero, John 5, Isbell, and more and are donating on behalf of each artist that participates. In Iero's recent Check-In, which you can watch below, he shares a guitar tutorial for two MCR fan-favorites, "Ghost of You" and "Welcome to the Black Parade."

For those seeking a little retail therapy for a good cause, live music photographer Jacob Blickenstaff and pop star Troye Sivan have you covered. Blickenstaff has partnered with some of the artists he's photographed over the years, including Isbell, Dawes, Yola and Hiss Golden Messenger, selling gorgeous prints with a portion of the proceeds going to the Fund. Sivan, who had shared he would be supporting both MusiCares and the WHO's coronavirus relief efforts, recently released merch for his new single, "Take Yourself Home." All the profits from the three t-shirts will be donated to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and Spotify's COVID-19 Music Relief project, which supports MusiCares and several other charities.

Last Fri., April 3, Light In The Attic & Friends Live brought live sets from Ben Gibbard, Jim James, Fred Armisen, Barbara Lynn, Devendra Banhart and more on their YouTube and Twitch accounts. All donations were directed to MusiCares. "Lo-Fi" singer Haley Reinhart recently did a performance on Billboard's Live At-Home series, choosing MusiCares as her charity of choice.

Explore: GRAMMY Museum To Debut Never-Before-Seen Content From Billie Eilish & FINNEAS, Brandi Carlile, Yola & Much More

Denim purveyors Levi Strauss have launched a star-studded 5:01 Live IGTV music and chat series to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts from MusiCares and the WHO. So far, it's featured a stellar squad including Snoop Dogg, Questlove, Burna Boy, Moses Sumney and Brett Young. Young, who performed last week, donated his performance fee to MusiCares. Additionally, the country star's past GRAMMY Museum is also being featured in the Museum's exciting digital offering rollout, going live on April 29.

On March 30, his birthday, country star Thomas Rhett released a new song benefiting MusiCares, called "Be A Light." Featuring none other than Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin, all of the artists' proceeds will be donated to the cause. Joining the growing coalition of companies supporting the Fund, the Country Music Association and its philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, announced a $1 million donation last week.

As more members of the music community rallying around a unified cause, we'll keep you posted right here on musicares.org.

Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares. 

How Kevin Griffin Of Better Than Ezra Raised Over $40K (And Counting) For MusiCares In Just An Hour On Facebook

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Grouplove Perform At The Recording Academy

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L.A.-based indie rock quintet discuss their hit song "Tongue Tied" and perform live
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Grouplove - Performance

Los Angeles-based indie rock quintet Grouplove recently visited The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., to participate in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview and perform a brief acoustic concert. Grouplove discussed the band's formation, the inspiration behind their Top 50 hit "Tongue Tied" and creative goals for the future, among other topics. Grouplove also performed songs from their 2011 debut full-length album, Never Trust A Happy Song, including "Tongue Tied," "Itchin' On A Photograph" and "Colours."

"Honestly, if we can keep doing this and stay close friends and make music that we believe in, and live off of it, I think we're living the dream," said vocalist/keyboardist Hannah Hooper.   

Grouplove comprise Sean Gadd (bass/vocals), Hooper, Ryan Rabin (drums), Andrew Wessen (guitar/vocals), and Christian Zucconi (vocals/guitar), all of whom met and bonded on the island of Crete in Greece. The quintet released a self-titled six-song EP in January 2011, which was followed by their full-length debut album, Never Trust A Happy Song, later that year. The album peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. Grouplove are currently on tour throughout the United States, with dates scheduled through November.   

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Students Come Together At Eighth Annual GRAMMY Camp

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Summer music experience culminates with showcase concert in Los Angeles
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Approximately 80 high school students from across the United States were selected to participate in the Los Angeles installment of the of the GRAMMY Foundation's eighth annual GRAMMY Camp, held  July 14–23 at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

The interactive 10-day residential summer music experience focused on all aspects of commercial music with instruction by industry professionals in an immersive creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities. The program offered students six music career tracks: Engineering for Audio & Video; Concert Production; Electronic Music Production; Music Journalism; Songwriting; and a performance track for bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, vocal, and winds & strings. All tracks culminated in media projects, CD recordings and/or showcase performances.

On July 17 several artists and music industry professionals visited GRAMMY Camp as part of Guest Professional Day, including recording artists Sean Gadd and Ryan Rabin of Grouplove, Keith Phelps, and Haley Reinhart, musical director Brian London, and Steven Slate, owner of Slate Pro Audio. Additional music industry professionals participating in GRAMMY Camp included KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez, Live Nation Director of Publicity Greg Terlizzi, and Columbia Pictures Vice President of Production Devon Franklin, among others.

The program culminated on July 22 at the GRAMMY Camp Showcase Concert at the El Rey Theatre. Produced entirely by the GRAMMY Camp participants, the concert featured students performing original songs created during GRAMMY Camp, including "Ninety-Nine Percent" by Larry's Scooter featuring Noah Jessup, "That Ain't Enough" by P.J. Bucknor featuring Patrick Bucknor and Kaya Lynch, "My Mystery" by Drop The Biscuit featuring Christopher Cobbs.

"This group of talented youngsters has been charged with the challenging task of creating new music and new multimedia projects, all in a little more than one week," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.

GRAMMY Camp is the GRAMMY Foundation's signature music industry camp for U.S. high school students. The final installment of the eighth annual GRAMMY Camp will take place in New York from Aug. 6–13. 

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Phoenix, Grouplove, LP Concert To Benefit GRAMMY Foundation

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Tickets on sale July 19 for Aug. 11 date at Club Nokia in Los Angeles
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

The GRAMMY Foundation announced today that GRAMMY-winning band Phoenix, Los Angeles-based indie band Grouplove and pop/rock singer/songwriter LP will perform a benefit concert for the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY in the Schools music education programs on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Tickets are available only at www.axs.com beginning at 10 a.m. PT on July 19. General admission tickets are $39.50 per person and VIP balcony tickets are $49.50.

"It's truly inspiring to see artists give their time and talent to support our GRAMMY Foundation mission and programs," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. "We work throughout the year to offer GRAMMY in the Schools programs to high school students, teachers and schools, and the generosity of Phoenix, Grouplove and LP will help provide much needed fundraising resources, while delivering a spectacular show for their fans."

Phoenix won their first career GRAMMY in 2009 for Best Alternative Music Album for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. In April the group released their fifth studio album, Bankrupt!, a 10-song collection co-produced by Philippe Zdar. This concert marks the band's first in the Los Angeles area following their headlining set at this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Phoenix comprise Laurent Brancowitz (guitar, keyboards), Deck d'Arcy (bass), Thomas Mars (vocals), and Christian Mazzalai (guitar).

By the time of the release of their 2011 debut full length album, Never Trust A Happy Song, Grouplove was already a standout at music festivals around the world. Produced by drummer Ryan Rabin, the album featured "Tongue Tied," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and earned platinum single certification. Set for release Sept. 17, Grouplove's second full-length album, Spreading Rumours, features the lead hit single "Ways To Go." Grouplove are Sean Gadd (bass, vocals), Hannah Hooper (vocals, keyboards), Ryan Rabin (drums), Andrew Wessen (guitar, vocals), and Christian Zucconi (vocals, guitar).

Born Laura Pergolizzi, LP cites artists such as Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, and Robert Plant as influences. She began her music career as the frontwoman for a New York-based band Lionfish during the late '90s. In 2001 LP released her debut solo album, Heart-Shaped Scar, and followed with her sophomore effort, Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol, in 2004. Aside from her solo career, LP has collaborated with other artists, penning or co-penning songs with Christina Aguilera, the Backstreet Boys and Rihanna, among others. After signing a deal with Warner Bros. Records, in April 2012 LP released Into The Wild: Live At EastWest Studios, a live EP/DVD featuring the single "Into The Wild." The song was featured in a commercial for Citibank.