Thursday, October 7, 2010

Interview with Michael Gross and the Statuettes

Who: Michael Gross and the Statuettes
What: Indie Rock / Pop band from Salt Lake City in concert, with locals Rising Son and Somewhere In the Middle opening.
Where: Idaho State University, Canoe Room
When: Friday, October 8th, 7:00 p.m.
How Much: Free! and open to all ages

Michael Gross, front man and guitarist for Michael Gross and the Statuettes contacted me recently about his upcoming show at ISU. I promised to get the show in last week's column, and didn't.

I AM SO SORRY!

So readers, you'll have to help me out by getting the word out. Here's a little bit about the band.



SLG: Describe your genre of music in as much detail as you like. Maybe list your three best crowd-pleasing songs? Can you explain in what way do you most appeal to your fans?

MG: I think we would be considered an indie/rock/pop band. We have a lot of melody in our songs, and i suppose they can be a catchy sometimes. Combine that with driving guitars and vocal harmonies, and there you have it.

SLG: Band member first and last names / instruments. How long has this line-up been together?

MG: The band is Michael Gross (vocals, guitar), Ben Johnson (bass, vocals), Jimmy Kelly (guitar), and SLC legend Andy Patterson (drums). We have been together for about 2 years or so, except for Andy. He joined us about a month ago when our previous drummer left for grad school. He's been a great addition to the group.

SLG: Tell us where you're from and currently based in what town?

MG: We are based in Salt Lake City and have all lived in Utah for most of our lives.

*Past shows or venues you'd like to brag about? Past or future shows in the Pocatello area?

MG: We have all been in different bands in the past, and I'm sure the other guys have played some cool shows, but since they aren't here right now, I can't really answer for them.

I used to be in a band called The Brobecks that played some cool shows before the group split up a few years ago. We played at South by Southwest 2007, The Roxy Theater (Los Angeles) W/Fallout Boy (lame I know), as well as some other notable Los Angeles venues. We were also lucky enough to open for some cool national artists passing through Salt Lake such as The Walkmen, Ben Kweller, The Elected, and The Ataris.

As far as The Statuettes are concerened, we are still building our resume (if you will), but have opened for The Lemonheads, and These United States in Salt Lake, and are booking better and better shows as we go along. It's a process. We have never actually played Pocatello before, but are looking forward to doing so.

SLG: Describe this particular show. What can people expect if they go?

MG: Our show in Pocatello is on the night of Friday, October 8th on the ISU campus (Student Union Building, Canoe Room). The show starts at 7pm with locals Risingson, and Aaron Ball opening, and we will go on last around 9pm. Its all all ages show, and its absolutely FREE of charge. So there are really no excuses to miss it. People can expect a fun show with bands that won't make your ears bleed (unless requested).

SLG: Any comments about the local live music scene, the music industry in general? What do you think is the best way to get your music out there?

MG: I don't really know much about the local scene around Pocatello, so i can't really comment on that, but I do have some experience with the music industry, and I'm not very impressed by a lot of the stuff major labels try to push. It seems the industry is changing anyway, so it's probably not a great time to get involved with a major label at the moment.Unless you are Bruce Springsteen or something.

Although major labels are in a weird place right now, it seems that more and more indie bands are being discovered and heard than ever before. So thats a good thing.

I don't really know the key to success, but I think the best advice for a band trying to pursue music would be to 1. Not suck 2. Work hard (record music, hit the road, network via internet etc.) 3. Get involved with people who beleive and enjoy your music, and have connections of some form or another with people in the music industry.

SLG: Do you have any favorite videos of your band or your music on YouTube?

MG: We have our own youtube channel with a bunch of different video's on there. some better than others. You can find them at www.youtube.com/mgstatuettes



SLG: Recordings? If so, where did you record? Who produced your recording? Will you have CD's or more for sale at the show?

MG: We have recorded two EP's, and one full-length album to date. Our full-length, and one of our EP's were recorded by ourselves in our former drummer Matt Glass' house, and the other EP was recorded by our friend Aaron Hubbard. We have plenty of CD's, and they WILL be available at the show ranging from $5-$10.

SLG: How can fans contact you? Myspace? or another website?

MG: Myspace has pretty much become a barron wasteland for spammers, but you can still contact us on there if you wish www.myspace.com/michaelgrossmusic. You can also contact us on our official web page www.michaelgrossmusic.com or facebook www.facebook.com/michaelgrossmusic and lastly Twitter @MGstatuettes.

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