What a treat to sit down with Jen and Joseph, the dynamic duo known as The Grizzly Owls. These two, along with their unique sounds and stories make wonderful music together. They are starting to play more and more shows in Los Angeles and I am certain will be popping up in a city near you very shortly. Loudvine is really diggin' this band and was very happy to have had a few minutes with them recently before a show. They have upcoming shows in Los Angeles on June 9 at The Silverlake Lounge and June 19 at The Hotel Cafe. Sit back and get to know The Grizzly Owls.
The Grizzly Owls Interview
June 1st, 2009The Counterparts Interview
May 19th, 2009A while back I met these guys via myspace. It took a while, but we got it done. Loudvine finally got the opportunity to sit down with The Counterparts- a collobo of mcs and producers. The Counterparts are so much more then a bunch of guys with microphones and fancy beats. The Counterparts act as a collective leaving their stamp on the musical landscape.
The Counterparts are five buddies that are making and sharing the music the only way they know how; staying true to the very core. It was a real treat to sit down with these guys. Sit back and get to know The Counterparts.
The Amateurs Interview
May 14th, 2009The madness of what we are trying to do with this silly website is help out as many locals bands as we can possibly help. Whether it be through a show review, some random musings on their mp3's or interviews, we have been really fortunate that so many bands are reaching out to us. Luckily for us, everyone's schedules worked out and we got the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Keith and Tony from The Amateurs in a beautiful park the other day.
We talked music, among other things, and got the story behind their music and new EP. We are really down with this band's sound and want you to know their record release is set for Friday, May 15th at Spaceland and they also have an in-store at Origami Vinyl on May 16th. We've seen them live and they put on a tight show. But if you cannot make it, sit back and spend a few minutes with the guys. Here is their story.
The Silent Years Interview
May 11th, 2009Loudvine got the real treat of sitting down with five of the wackiest people we have met since we started doing these interviews the other day.
The Silent Years, however, are lot more then just some friends cracking jokes. They are a very solid band on tour currently promoting, their new EP, "Let Go." I would strongly urge you all to give these guys a listen. But for now, hear their story here.
Vices Interview
April 14th, 2009Got a chance to sit down with VICES for a few minutes the other day. They are in town, doing a few, limited shows and laying down the foundation for new music that should drop at some point later this year.
They have an April 15th show at the Viper Room and I would not miss it. I get the feeling they will blow the roof off the Viper Room. Come out and support these guys before they make way their back to the UK on Thursday. I have a feeling it will be a show that should not be missed!
www.loudvine.comVoyeurs Interview
April 6th, 2009A few minutes with the truly wacky and very talented Voyeurs prior to a show. We talked about music, some of their favorite local bands, and how it is they do their own thing.
For us it was so much fun to sit down with such a talented band that is setting the LA music scene ablaze. The Voyeurs have a few shows coming up all around town in April and I would not miss them. But the one that has us truly amped is their April 20th show at The Troubadour.
www.loudvine.comPendulum Interview
March 14th, 2009Thanks to our buddies at Atlantic Records for giving us the treat of sitting down with Gareth McGrillen from Pendulum. Pendulum will be performing at The Club Nokia on Satruday Night.
In the midst of a sick tour, they were recently on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and working on a new album. A few minutes with Gareth McGrillen of Pendulum.
LV: Quite a few couple of months you guys have coming up. Touring the US, doing the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and SXSW. And off to Europe. Talk to us a little bit about the tour and how is its going:
Gareth: Well this is part two of our American tour in a way because we just launched here a few months ago and the tour went so well that we wanted to come back and after Christmas and just play some other places. We'll also be at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami. And SXSW and Jimmy Kimmel and all the other places we didn't get to on the first part of the tour like Texas.
LV: How are audiences reacting to your shows? Your bring a lot of intensity to your music.
Gareth: I think that is exactly what American audiences want as well. Responses have been so amazing so far
LV: Are you excited about going to SXSW?
Yes, I've heard a lot about it. I've never been before. Its good exposure and a lot of media will be there. Can't wait.
LV: And particular bands you're going to be checking out @ SXSW?
Gareth: I haven't actually seen who is playing, but I know Dead Mouse will be playing with us one night. Other then that I am not really sure yet. I love to go check out all the other bands. And in Miami, The Presets will be playing. I can't wait to hear the Presets, another Aussie band and I really like their stuff. I definitely can't wait to hear them.
LV: What is it like being a band from down under and trying to make in the US and trying to build your brand overseas?
Gareth: You hear about how difficult it is to break into America. And break into Europe. But for us, we've been a bit lucky. It's been easy for us. Everyone has sort warmed to the music very quickly and it's all gone, flowed very naturally. Touring is generally quite difficult and expensive for us but it's been worth it, if you know what I mean. I wouldn't say easy. But it's happening very naturally.
LV: What are the things you have most fun with while touring?
Gareth: The shows in general. We put so much energy into the show that when you come off stage it's as if its anti climatic, it's like coming off drugs. Yeah it's like a natural high performing so when you come off stage, it's almost like a massive low.
LV: So it must take a bit of time to re-adjust to 'regular' life after a show to packed crowds?
Gareth: Definitely, we rarely get messed up, drink a lot up before playing a show. It's a really physical thing for us; we need to be on top form. So after the show, and we come off stage, and if we don't we feel like someone beat the crap out of us, then it wasn't a good show.
LV: Do you guys have any pre-show rituals to get fired up?
Gareth: We just listen to really loud music in the dressing room, kind of stretch, go through some warm ups, and beat each other up a bit.
LV: I know you guys had good success with the debut album, "Hold Your Colour." And I read you guys are working on a new album.
Gareth: Our first album, "Hold Your Colour" was really successful. The second album is doing well at the moment in the US. That's the one that is out now. It's the second album ("In Silico") that we are touring for in the US right now. We've started to work on in right now and I think probably more in the electronic direction.
LV: Talk to me about your early musical influences?
Gareth: Well, Rob and I were really into electronic music but first and foremost it was rock metal. Then around 1999, 2000, we discovered drum and bass and I showed it to Rob and basically we just got addicted to it. I think the thing about Drum and Bass is that it had the same energy that rock metal had that is why we got attracted to it. We got heavily involved into it and I guess now; we just really put a rock influence into back into the picture.
LV: Tell me about the parts of Europe you're looking forward to playing on this tour?
Gareth: Germany is really cool. France is great. People always go on about how difficult it is for international bands to get a good reaction from French audiences but we played Paris not so long ago and in one of the bigger clubs. It was massive, really amazing. That was really fun. Eastern Europe is really good and we love playing festivals as well. Because you get an audience that aren't really prepared to see you or they don't know what to expect. They heard of you but never really seen us live and the reactions were getting from some of the people at these festivals are just amazing.
LV: That's awesome. Thank for talking to us. Upcoming Pendulum Tour Dates: Mar 14 2009 @ Club Nokia Mar 14 2009 @ The Rock, Tucson, AZ Mar 17 2009 @ Murray Theater, Salt Lake City, UT Mar 18 2009 @ Ogden Theater, Denver, CO Mar 20 2009 @ Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX Mar 21 2009 @ SXSW La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX For complete tour dates, click here: www.loudvine.comJen & Abby Interview
February 17th, 2009There is something to be said for hustling. LA should not be known as tinsel town, rather hustle town. But a hustle just for the sake of hustling ain't worth much. Insert the duo known as Jen & Abby, and you have a wonderful combination of band we really like with the understanding of what it takes to get themselves and most importantly, their music out there.
And we are glad they are, getting their music out there because as we discovered at their Hotel Cafe show, they do rock. Jen & Abby just being themselves, talking about music. Sit down and get to know Jen & Abby a little better as we did. You can also watch their story unfold at The Hotel Cafe on March 7th.
www.loudvine.comJapanese Motors Interview
February 2nd, 2009We love what were doing at Loudvine.com. And with a little help from the peeps at Vice Records, we got to sit down with one of our favorite bands, Japanese Motors for a few minutes.
Forget asking them the questions I had written out, it was a treat just chillan, laughing with these guys before a show this night. And oh yeah, we think their music rocks, so we sat down with them. Japanese Motors, being Japanese Motors, true, humble, funny, totally uncensored for your viewing pleasure.Rob Roy on Loudvine.com
January 21st, 2009Rob Roy is all about the hustle. His story is about a dream, coming to LA and doing it his way. Blowin' up along the way, he spends a few minutes with us to talk to Loudvine.com about this latest journey. The kid has upcoming shows at SXSX, but for now, you can watch him here for a few minutes.
www.loudvine.com
