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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
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

The Black Keys

Noah Gundersen

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 Black Lips And The Soul Rebels

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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Black Lips

The Soul Rebels

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 Dry The River And Umphrey's McGee

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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Dry The River

Umphrey's McGee

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 British folk collective Dry The River and progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee.

Dry The River's Peter Liddle and Scott Miller discussed their experience performing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival and touring experiences, among other topics.

"We're so happy just on tour, and getting to do what we do. I just want to be able to keep doing it for as long as we can," said Miller.

Based in London, Dry The River was originally formed as the solo project of singer/songwriter and guitarist Liddle, who describes the band's sound as "folky gospel music played by a post-punk band." Drawing comparisons to indie folk/rock groups such as Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons, Dry The River comprise Will Harvey (violin/viola/keyboards), Liddle, Miller (bass), Matt Taylor (guitar/vocals), and Jon Warren (drums). In April the band released their full-length debut album, Shallow Bed, which peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. Dry The River are currently on tour throughout Europe and the UK, with dates scheduled through December. An acoustic version of Shallow Bed, Shallow Bed (Acoustic), is due Dec. 18.

Umphrey's McGee's Joel Cummins and Ryan Stasik discussed the influence of actor/comedian Rodney Dangerfield on the creation of their band name, their latest studio album, 2011's Death By Stereo, and individual musical influences, among other topics. 

"We go from classical to metal to dub reggae. We try to incorporate that in our live shows all the time because … we're very ADD," joked Stasik. "We can't just stick with one thing all the time, that's why our [improvisations] go anywhere from [Frank] Zappa [and] Miles Davis to Pearl Jam … Guns 'N Roses [and] Snoop Dogg."   

Formed in 1997 in South Bend, Ind., Umphrey's McGee includes original members Brendan Bayliss (guitar), Cummins (vocals/keyboards) and Stasik (bass), and Jake Cinninger (guitar/vocals), Andy Farag (percussion) and Kris Myers (drums/vocals). Umphrey's McGee have released five albums that peaked in the Top 40 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, including Safety In Numbers (No. 16, 2006), The Bottom Half (No. 22, 2007), Live At Murat (No. 37, 2007), Mantis (No. 6, 2009), and Death By Stereo (No. 17, 2011). The band is currently on tour throughout the United States, with dates scheduled through January 2013.  

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GRAMMYs On The Road With Gotye And Native Run

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GRAMMY.com conducts interviews backstage at Austin City Limits
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Gotye

Native Run

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 pop/electronic singer/songwriter Gotye and country/pop duo Native Run.

Gotye discussed writing his hit song "Somebody That I Used To Know" featuring Kimbra, his musical influences and collaborating with other artists, among other topics.

"'Somebody That I Used To Know' is not about one specific relationship," said Gotye. "It's partly autobiographical. Certain lines in it were definitely triggered by memories of different relationships I've had over the last 15 years."

Hailing from Australia, Gotye is the alias of Wally De Backer, who began recording music in his bedroom as a teenager. Citing influences such as Depeche Mode, Joni Mitchell and Godley & Creme, Gotye released his first album, Boardface, in 2003. Like Drawing Blood was released in 2006, followed by 2007's Mixed Blood. In 2011 Gotye released Making Mirrors, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and featured the No. 1 hit "Somebody That I Used To Know." The song has since been covered numerous times by artists including Pentatonix, Native Run and Walk Off The Earth. Earlier this year at the 2012 APRA Music Awards, Gotye earned trophies for Most Played Australian Work and Song of the Year for "Somebody That I Used To Know." As of July, it was the top-selling digital song of 2012 with sales of 3.69 million units. Gotye is currently on tour throughout Europe, Australia and Japan, with dates scheduled through January.

Native Run's Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley discussed the derivation of the band's name, defining their sound and their musical influences, among other topics.

"We like to say we're pop/country but with a serious, serious groove," said Beauregard.

Formed in Virginia and based in Nashville, Native Run (formerly Deep River) draw on influences ranging from William Shakespeare and Bruce Springsteen to Patsy Cline and Keith Urban. Named one of Paste magazine's Best of What's Next bands in 2010, Native Run released Ten Mornings that same year. In May, the duo released a live album, Setting The House On Fire: The Native Run House Show Experience. 

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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
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

River City Extension

Tegan and Sara

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.