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GRAMMYs On The Road With The Black Keys And Noah Gundersen
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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
GRAMMYs
Nov 1, 2012 - 1:25 pm
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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter recently played host for GRAMMYs On The Road at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held Oct. 12–14 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including GRAMMY-winning rock duo the Black Keys and singer/songwriter Noah Gundersen.

The Black Keys' guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney discussed early music education, their recording process and winning a GRAMMY Award, among other topics.

"We weren't expecting it at all," said Carney on winning a GRAMMY. "We'd been making music for almost 10 years at that point [and] to finally get some recognition on that level, which we never thought would ever happen, was kind of mind-blowing."

Combining elements of garage rock with traditional blues/rock, the Black Keys released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002. Following 2003's Thickfreakness, which was recorded in just 14 hours, and 2004's Rubber Factory, they signed with Nonesuch Records and released Magic Potion (2006) and Attack & Release (2008), the latter of which was produced by GRAMMY winner Danger Mouse and peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200. The Black Keys teamed again with Danger Mouse for 2010's Brothers, which earned two GRAMMY Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Tighten Up." Their latest album, 2011's El Camino was again produced by Danger Mouse and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The duo has tour  dates scheduled in Australia, the UK and United States through March 2013.

Gundersen discussed his latest album, 2011's Family, collaborating with his sister, Abby Gundersen, and music education, among other topics.

"It's always been a big part of my life, whether I've liked it or not," said Gundersen on family. "But I've come to learn over the last several years that it is one of the few constants in my life, and it does shape me."

Raised in Seattle, Noah and Abby Gundersen have been playing music together since age 15 and 12, respectively. In 2008 Noah Gundersen released the EP Brand New World, followed by 2009's Saints & Liars. On Family, Gundersen pays homage to the people who have shaped his life. Featuring Abby Gundersen on vocals and violin, the EP has seven tracks, including "David," which Gundersen describes as being about "who I want to be, while realizing who I am." In 2012 he released "He Got Away" with the Forest Rangers, which was featured on the TV series "Sons Of Anarchy." Gundersen is currently on tour throughout the United States, with select dates scheduled through mid-November.

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GRAMMYs On The Road With La Vida Bohéme And Questlove
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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
GRAMMYs
Nov 2, 2012 - 3:29 pm
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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter recently played host for GRAMMYs On The Road at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held Oct. 12–14 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated alternative rock group La Vida Bohéme and Questlove of GRAMMY winners the Roots.

La Vida Bohéme discussed their debut album, Nuestra, their creative live performances and the Argentinian music industry. 

"This is [how] we think our music looks," said guitarist/vocalist Henry D'Arthenay, pointing to the band's paint-covered presentation. "If you were in Venezuela [at] our shows, people would throw paint at you, you would throw paint at them and you would throw paint at us and we would throw paint at you. And it would be kind of like communion."

Formed in Caracas, Venezuela, by Sebastian Ayala (drums), D'Arthenay, Daniel De Sousa (guitar/vocals), and Rafael Perez (bass), La Vida Bohéme's influences span the Clash, LCD Soundsystem and Mano Negra. Their debut album, Nuestra, was released in the United States in May 2011 and garnered two Latin GRAMMY nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song for "Radio Capital," as well as a GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin, Pop, Rock, Or Urban Album. The band has performed at major festivals such as Vive Latino in Mexico and South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Questlove discussed winning a GRAMMY Award, his definition of success and future plans for the Roots. 

"My main concern is doing collaborative projects with my heroes that I grew up with," said Questlove. "I'm gunning for Bill Withers. That's my dream."

The Roots were formed in 1987 by high school friends rapper Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. The group has since included as many as 10 members, including rapper Malik B., guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas, bassist Leon "Hub Moore" Hubbard, and beatboxer Rahzel, among others. The group's major label debut, Do You Want More?!!!??!, was released in 1995 and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. With the release of 1999's Things Fall Apart the Roots earned their first GRAMMY for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for "You Got Me." In 2011 Questlove earned a GRAMMY for Best Pop Instrumental Album as a featured artist on Booker T. Jones' The Road From Memphis. The Roots' most recent GRAMMYs came in 2010 for Best R&B Album for Wake Up! with GRAMMY winner John Legend, and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Hang On In There." The group's most recent album, Undone, was released in December 2011 and peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200. 

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GRAMMYs On The Road With River City Extension And Tegan And Sara
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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
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Oct 19, 2012 - 3:05 pm
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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter recently played host for GRAMMYs On The Road at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held Oct. 12–14 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including eight-piece indie folk collective River City Extension and folk/rock sister duo Tegan And Sara.

River City Extension's Mike Costaney, Sam Tacon and Joe Michelini discussed their hobbies outside of music, performing live and their latest release, 2012's Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger.

"We just do what we do," said Michelini on performing live. "I write what I write [and] we play how we play. We do everything to the truest of our nature. That can be strange to put on display live, but I think it's ultimately the most rewarding thing about playing music."

Formed in New Jersey in 2007 by guitarist/vocalist Michelini, River City Extension comprise Costaney (drums), Nick Cucci (guitar/vocals), Jenn Fantaccione (cello), Dan Melius (trumpet/melophone/mandolin/vocals), Patrick O'Brien (piano/organ), James Ramirez (bass/banjo), and Tacon (vocals). The band released their debut album, The Unmistakable Man, in 2010. Released in June, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger features 14 songs written by Michelini, who drew inspiration from artists including Feist, My Morning Jacket and Townes Van Zandt, and features official GRAMMY Awards photographer Danny Clinch on harmonica. River City Extension are currently scheduled to perform select dates in October and November, including a stop at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., on Nov. 21.

Tegan And Sara discussed storytelling during live performances, recording their forthcoming new album and creative inspirations, among other topics.

"Our natural ability to [tell stories] and make jokes [seems] to really loosen up the audience," said Tegan Quin. "If the audience [is] disengaged or [isn't] giving us a huge response, we'll start telling stories and making jokes because it makes it a more human experience."   

Natives of Calgary, Alberta, twin sisters Sara and Tegan Quin earned a spot on Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour in 1998 and subsequently signed with Neil Young's Vapor Records. Their debut album, This Business Of Art, was released in 2000, followed by If It Was You (2002), So Jealous (2004), The Con (2007), and Sainthood (2009). The latter two albums were co-produced by Death Cab For Cutie's Christopher Walla and peaked at No. 34 and No. 21 on the Billboard 200, respectively. Their most recent album, Get Along, was released in November 2011. In September Tegan And Sara released the single "Closer," which appears on their forthcoming album, Heartthrob, due in January 2013. Tegan And Sara are currently on tour throughout the UK and United Sates, with dates scheduled through December.   

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GRAMMYs On The Road With Black Lips And The Soul Rebels
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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
GRAMMYs
Oct 24, 2012 - 2:50 pm
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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter recently played host for GRAMMYs On The Road at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held Oct. 12–14 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including garage rock revivalists Black Lips and New Orleans brass band the Soul Rebels.

Black Lips discussed touring, working with GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Mark Ronson and performing live, among other topics.

"[We] go all the way, all the time. There's no 'I' in team, but there's an 'I' in win and that's what we do every single day," said vocalist/guitarist Cole Alexander.

Based in Atlanta, Black Lips comprise Alexander, Joe Bradley (drums/vocals), Ian St. Pé (guitar/vocals), and Jared Swilley (bass/vocals). Combining elements of garage-flavored punk rock, Southern rock and blues, the quartet is known for their wild live performances. They've released three albums that peaked in the Top 20 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart: Good Bad Not Evil (No. 18, 2007), 200 Million Thousand (No. 12, 2009) and, most recently, 2011's Arabia Mountain, which climbed to No. 1. 

The Soul Rebels discussed recording their latest album, 2012's Unlock Your Mind, and their musical influences and creative inspirations, among other topics.

"We found out a lot about ourselves during [the recording] process," said saxist Erion Williams. "We tried to expand the New Orleans traditional brass band music and tried to make it more urban, more hip-hop-influenced [and] more funk-influenced. Our main goal was to … give people a broader spectrum of what we do."

Formed in New Orleans, the Soul Rebels include Julian Gosin (trumpet), Marcus Hubbard (trumpet), Edward Lee Jr. (sousaphone), Lumar LeBlanc (snare drum), Derrick Moss (bass drum), Corey Peyton (trombone), Paul Robertson (trombone), and Williams. With a sound spanning traditional brass, jazz and hip-hop, the Soul Rebels released their debut album, Let Your Mind Be Free, in 1994. Subsequent studio releases include 1998's No More Parades and 2004's Rebelution. Released in January, Unlock Your Mind peaked at No. 14 on Billboard's Jazz Albums chart. Soul Rebels are scheduled to perform select dates in the United States through January.

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GRAMMYs On The Road With The Avett Brothers And Old 97's
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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
GRAMMYs
Oct 31, 2012 - 3:09 pm
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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter recently played host for GRAMMYs On The Road at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held Oct. 12–14 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including folk/rock band the Avett Brothers and country/rock group Old 97's.

The Avett Brothers' Scott and Seth Avett discussed performing for larger crowds versus smaller audiences, their songwriting process and stories from touring, among other topics.

"It's interesting figuring out how to process the energy of so many people and to try to provide for them an energy that matches it without just collapsing," said Seth Avett on performing to larger audiences. "But I think we do that pretty well."

The Avett Brothers were formed in North Carolina by brothers Scott (vocals/banjo) and Seth Avett (vocals/guitar). In 2002 the pair, along with bassist Bob Crawford, released Country Was, followed by A Carolina Jubilee (2003), Mignonette (2004), Four Thieves Gone: The Robinsville Sessions (2006), and the EP The Gleam (2006). The band's 2007 release, Emotionalism, featured the addition of cellist Joe Kwon and garnered placement on the Billboard 200. The album also attracted the attention of GRAMMY-winning producer Rick Rubin, who subsequently signed the band to his American Recordings. The band's major label debut, I And Love And You, was released in 2009 and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200. The band teamed with Rubin again for their latest album, 2012's The Carpenter, which peaked at No. 4, their highest-charting album to date.

Old 97's Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond discussed performing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, memorable career moments and the band's enduring career, among other topics. 

"One of the reasons I really love being a songwriter is I write songs and those songs go out and do the work for me," said Miller. "I do the work of writing it and recording it and then I let the song go out and perpetuate its own mythology."

Formed in 1993 by frontman Miller and bassist Hammond, Old 97's also include guitarist Ken Bethea and drummer Philip Peeples. They released their major label debut, Too Far To Care, in 1997, followed by 1999's Fight Songs, which peaked at No. 16 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. The band has released additional albums since, including Satellite Rides (2001), Drag It Up (2004), Blame It On Gravity (2008), The Grand Theatre Volume One (2010), and The Grand Theatre Vol. 2 (2011), all of which gained presence on the Billboard 200. In celebration of the album's 15th anniversary, on Oct. 9 Old 97's reissued Too Far To Care as a two-disc set featuring the original album remastered plus session outtakes and demos.