Hang on to your straw fedora's and Ray Ban's ladies and gents.... this kid is going to Lollapalooza! I've figured out that if my summer job as a camp counselor pays out the way it should, and I save the money I get from my birthday, I should have enough to make the 777 mile drive (is that lucky or what?!) to Chicago, Illinois to see one of the most sought after music festivals in the country.
This will be the crowning jewel on my summer concert tour. Keeping that in mind, my brother, cousin, one of our friends, and me will be staying in a hotel where we plan on living off of PB & J's for three days to save cash, haha. Ahh, the things we do for live music. This will most likely deplete my bank account for a good amount of time, but I've got three jobs at school that should make up for the deficit.
I'm on the Lollapalooza website now trying to build my schedule...Here's the bands that definitely made my list:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Special Edition-- Interview with Tyler Grohowski of The Sound Season
Standing off to the side of our group at college orientation in dark skinny corduroy pants, black converse sneakers, a plaid button down, and his dirty-blond hair elegantly disheveled, Tyler Grohowski struck me as someone who was shy in social settings. It wasn’t until we got to talking about music that I realized just how shy he wasn’t, and how deep his passion for music ran.
Grohowski, a New Jersey based musician, now twenty, has been working on his music career under the title of The Sound Season since 2007. He recorded his first all-acoustic album when he was only thirteen years old. His most recent album, Turn the Clocks Around, came out in 2009, the songs for which he wrote when he was just seventeen. The album, which blends Grohowski’s gentle vocals with guitar, bass, piano, and drums, has quickly become one of my favorites. Tracks “Waking” and “Snow” are among my most played for their simplicity and relaxing aura, as well as Grohowski’s stellar mellow vocals.
Eager to promote and support upcoming artists, I agreed to interview Grohowski exclusively for Kaleidoscope Sound Garden.
KSG: This is probably a lame question, but I’m curious, so I’ll ask: when did you start getting into music?
TG: I was more or less born into music. I cannot really remember a specific period of time where I got “into” music. I was in my mom’s belly at a Tom Petty concert, [I] have memories of being sung Fleetwood Mac songs to fall asleep to as a child, and my uncle spinning records from the 60’s and 70’s in his house for as far back as my memory goes. The bottom line was that music was important, and a major part of life in my household, and I grew up thinking that it was that way in every household. The ironic thing is that neither of my parents are musically inclined, just really passionate fans.
KSG: When did you begin to seriously practice, or know that music was more than just a hobby?
TG: It was only a matter of time before I was running around banging on pots and pans and playing a toy guitar to the radio, which led to my uncle getting me a small toddler drum set for my birthday, as well as my parents purchasing me a ukulele. At the age of 12, my parents got me my first guitar and music lessons. Although my teacher really wanted me to learn from the book, I was determined to play two Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs: the intro to “Running Down a Dream,” and the chord progression to “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. I remember [after] two weeks in I could play the simple one string intro, and had to learn about 4 chords to play the song. That month I worked harder [on the songs] than anything I had ever done in my young life, and on that wonderful day as I played the opening riff as well as someone playing seriously for a month could, the heavens parted, and I knew that this was it. I was forever addicted, and stuck with the rock and roll merry-go-round of life.
KSG: When did you form The Sound Season?
TG: The Sound Season was formed around 2007. I had played under my own name beforehand, and had a quick stint with some high school bands before I really settled into what I do now. The project started as a three-piece band, but soon became a solo act with contributions from local musicians. I tend to work better by myself, arranging and composing myself in isolation, but that is not to say the project is always just me. I am blessed to often play with many wonderful local musicians who allow for some different perspectives musically. The thing about being solo is that you often have fragments of songs and unfinished work all the time, since you lack the filter of other band members to either dislike or approve of wanting to work on one of your pieces. I wanted to create a space that I was comfortable for me to compose in, and throw out any preconceived notions of who I am and what I sound like. I also didn’t want to be lumped into the acoustic singer-songwriter genre solely because I am a solo artist who often employs the acoustic guitar in my music. The name really stems from needing a calm place to go in that period of my life that could be as chaotic or mellow as I chose. I also have a very close bond with nature, so the name has stuck!
KSG: Do you have an album or any other tracks before Turn the Clocks Around? When were they released? How old were you at the time?
TG: Oh goodness yes, I recorded an all-acoustic album when I was 13 and an EP when I was 16. I was just doing what a young man does: discovering what works and what doesn’t.
KSG: Wow! I don’t know what I was doing at thirteen, but it wasn’t as impressive as that, haha. So where does your inspiration for the songs on Turn the Clocks Around come from?
TG: Quite a few places. As I talk about it [in the] current day closer to 21 than 17, it is impossible to not look at the record with a smile and appreciation for its charm. I wrote this material very quickly, very young, very inexperienced in the ways of the recording studio. During this period in my life, I was going through what [many] teenagers go through, except I was dealing a lot with the concept of death. I had [lost] and was losing a lot of people early on in my life, and it gave my high school experience a very intense, different perspective. I was also very sick during this period, and making the music was extremely cathartic. I was very concerned with the way people treated and deceived one another, because I had already realized how precious life is. I was heavily influenced by the concept of unrequited love, and was nose deep in The Great Gatsby. I came to appreciate the somewhat angsty-confused lyrics and raw emotional instrumentation that it featured. I think the charm of being a teenager is caught rather well— from the perspective of a teenager that is.
KSG: Do you perform live? Where have you been playing? I’ve been traveling around to shows lately, and I’d love to see you play!
TG: Yes I do! I play anywhere and everywhere that I see fit: coffee shops, art galleries, basements, and bars. Because the project doesn’t have a set lineup, the shows can drastically change from a rock show, to a jam band, to a sparse acoustic set. I guess it also is an indirect factor of not wanting to fit into one scene and experience.
KSG: When you’re not producing your own music, who do you listen to? Who are some of your musical influences?
TG: Tom Petty, U2, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, [Led] Zeppelin, the Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, and Death Cab for Cutie. I always listened to old orchestral music, and as I got older, I began to explore everything and anything I could. The first time I heard the Mars Volta and At the Drive in, I was like “whoa! What is this?!” Then Placebo, The Appleseed Cast, Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn, Sigur Ros, and even heavier bands, like the Fall of Troy and Underoath. I also dabble in trance: one of my favorite albums is by ATB. I have to mention though: films and books play a large role in my writing also.
KSG: Without revealing too much, who is “Song for Someone” about?
TG: Anyone whose heart travels where the wind takes them.
KSG: Nice, that’s so poetic, haha.
KSG: Do you have plans for another album?
TG: Most definitely! I have been working on it for quite some time now. In a nutshell, computers have forever changed the music industry, and records cost money to make, [and] you have to have money to make a record, and bands don’t make money the way they used to. Because this project is currently self- funded, things often move slower than one would like, but I can say quite certainly that there is another EP/Album in the works, and most likely the first full length entitled “Madeline and the Thief” coming out as soon as possible. I can say for a fact the material will be more orchestrated and, to an extent, heavier.
KSG: If people are interested in purchasing a CD, how do they do that? ‘Cause I definitely think they’re gonna want one!
TG: My music is available on ITunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. All are around $5 for the record, which is also available at the shows. You can checkout MySpace or the more convenient Facebook for updates and news on the project.
KSG: Awesome, I can’t wait to check out the new album when it debuts!
TG: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me, and for supporting art. It is so beautiful to have someone writing about and sharing independent music with a positive attitude!
Grohowski, a New Jersey based musician, now twenty, has been working on his music career under the title of The Sound Season since 2007. He recorded his first all-acoustic album when he was only thirteen years old. His most recent album, Turn the Clocks Around, came out in 2009, the songs for which he wrote when he was just seventeen. The album, which blends Grohowski’s gentle vocals with guitar, bass, piano, and drums, has quickly become one of my favorites. Tracks “Waking” and “Snow” are among my most played for their simplicity and relaxing aura, as well as Grohowski’s stellar mellow vocals.
Eager to promote and support upcoming artists, I agreed to interview Grohowski exclusively for Kaleidoscope Sound Garden.
KSG: This is probably a lame question, but I’m curious, so I’ll ask: when did you start getting into music?
TG: I was more or less born into music. I cannot really remember a specific period of time where I got “into” music. I was in my mom’s belly at a Tom Petty concert, [I] have memories of being sung Fleetwood Mac songs to fall asleep to as a child, and my uncle spinning records from the 60’s and 70’s in his house for as far back as my memory goes. The bottom line was that music was important, and a major part of life in my household, and I grew up thinking that it was that way in every household. The ironic thing is that neither of my parents are musically inclined, just really passionate fans.
KSG: When did you begin to seriously practice, or know that music was more than just a hobby?
TG: It was only a matter of time before I was running around banging on pots and pans and playing a toy guitar to the radio, which led to my uncle getting me a small toddler drum set for my birthday, as well as my parents purchasing me a ukulele. At the age of 12, my parents got me my first guitar and music lessons. Although my teacher really wanted me to learn from the book, I was determined to play two Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs: the intro to “Running Down a Dream,” and the chord progression to “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. I remember [after] two weeks in I could play the simple one string intro, and had to learn about 4 chords to play the song. That month I worked harder [on the songs] than anything I had ever done in my young life, and on that wonderful day as I played the opening riff as well as someone playing seriously for a month could, the heavens parted, and I knew that this was it. I was forever addicted, and stuck with the rock and roll merry-go-round of life.
KSG: When did you form The Sound Season?
TG: The Sound Season was formed around 2007. I had played under my own name beforehand, and had a quick stint with some high school bands before I really settled into what I do now. The project started as a three-piece band, but soon became a solo act with contributions from local musicians. I tend to work better by myself, arranging and composing myself in isolation, but that is not to say the project is always just me. I am blessed to often play with many wonderful local musicians who allow for some different perspectives musically. The thing about being solo is that you often have fragments of songs and unfinished work all the time, since you lack the filter of other band members to either dislike or approve of wanting to work on one of your pieces. I wanted to create a space that I was comfortable for me to compose in, and throw out any preconceived notions of who I am and what I sound like. I also didn’t want to be lumped into the acoustic singer-songwriter genre solely because I am a solo artist who often employs the acoustic guitar in my music. The name really stems from needing a calm place to go in that period of my life that could be as chaotic or mellow as I chose. I also have a very close bond with nature, so the name has stuck!
KSG: Do you have an album or any other tracks before Turn the Clocks Around? When were they released? How old were you at the time?
TG: Oh goodness yes, I recorded an all-acoustic album when I was 13 and an EP when I was 16. I was just doing what a young man does: discovering what works and what doesn’t.
KSG: Wow! I don’t know what I was doing at thirteen, but it wasn’t as impressive as that, haha. So where does your inspiration for the songs on Turn the Clocks Around come from?
TG: Quite a few places. As I talk about it [in the] current day closer to 21 than 17, it is impossible to not look at the record with a smile and appreciation for its charm. I wrote this material very quickly, very young, very inexperienced in the ways of the recording studio. During this period in my life, I was going through what [many] teenagers go through, except I was dealing a lot with the concept of death. I had [lost] and was losing a lot of people early on in my life, and it gave my high school experience a very intense, different perspective. I was also very sick during this period, and making the music was extremely cathartic. I was very concerned with the way people treated and deceived one another, because I had already realized how precious life is. I was heavily influenced by the concept of unrequited love, and was nose deep in The Great Gatsby. I came to appreciate the somewhat angsty-confused lyrics and raw emotional instrumentation that it featured. I think the charm of being a teenager is caught rather well— from the perspective of a teenager that is.
KSG: Do you perform live? Where have you been playing? I’ve been traveling around to shows lately, and I’d love to see you play!
TG: Yes I do! I play anywhere and everywhere that I see fit: coffee shops, art galleries, basements, and bars. Because the project doesn’t have a set lineup, the shows can drastically change from a rock show, to a jam band, to a sparse acoustic set. I guess it also is an indirect factor of not wanting to fit into one scene and experience.
KSG: When you’re not producing your own music, who do you listen to? Who are some of your musical influences?
TG: Tom Petty, U2, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, [Led] Zeppelin, the Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, and Death Cab for Cutie. I always listened to old orchestral music, and as I got older, I began to explore everything and anything I could. The first time I heard the Mars Volta and At the Drive in, I was like “whoa! What is this?!” Then Placebo, The Appleseed Cast, Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn, Sigur Ros, and even heavier bands, like the Fall of Troy and Underoath. I also dabble in trance: one of my favorite albums is by ATB. I have to mention though: films and books play a large role in my writing also.
KSG: Without revealing too much, who is “Song for Someone” about?
TG: Anyone whose heart travels where the wind takes them.
KSG: Nice, that’s so poetic, haha.
KSG: Do you have plans for another album?
TG: Most definitely! I have been working on it for quite some time now. In a nutshell, computers have forever changed the music industry, and records cost money to make, [and] you have to have money to make a record, and bands don’t make money the way they used to. Because this project is currently self- funded, things often move slower than one would like, but I can say quite certainly that there is another EP/Album in the works, and most likely the first full length entitled “Madeline and the Thief” coming out as soon as possible. I can say for a fact the material will be more orchestrated and, to an extent, heavier.
KSG: If people are interested in purchasing a CD, how do they do that? ‘Cause I definitely think they’re gonna want one!
TG: My music is available on ITunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. All are around $5 for the record, which is also available at the shows. You can checkout MySpace or the more convenient Facebook for updates and news on the project.
KSG: Awesome, I can’t wait to check out the new album when it debuts!
TG: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me, and for supporting art. It is so beautiful to have someone writing about and sharing independent music with a positive attitude!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Hard Work Pays Off (more often than not)
Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
This past week at school was incredible. It was transformative, inspirational, heartrending, and eye-opening. It was the culmination of everything I have been striving towards in terms of learning about how to better interact with people.
First and foremost though, none of the experiences I had could have been possible without hard work. My day started at 6 am, and ended sometime around 4:30 pm. Of course there were hours upon hours spent bonding with the people I worked with, so by the time we finished playing games, talking, or sharing stories, it was midnight or later, and we'd have to be up early again to do it all over.It was a lot of work for me as an individual to want to put myself out there every time, and talk to people I didn't know on a deeper level than I'm used to.
I wouldn't change it though. I'd say it was all worth it, and that hard work really payed off there.
As for my friends at home, well, let's just say we'd need more than a week to get things sorted out.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow: day camp counselor. I can't wait to see what sort of experiences are in store for me.
This past week at school was incredible. It was transformative, inspirational, heartrending, and eye-opening. It was the culmination of everything I have been striving towards in terms of learning about how to better interact with people.
First and foremost though, none of the experiences I had could have been possible without hard work. My day started at 6 am, and ended sometime around 4:30 pm. Of course there were hours upon hours spent bonding with the people I worked with, so by the time we finished playing games, talking, or sharing stories, it was midnight or later, and we'd have to be up early again to do it all over.It was a lot of work for me as an individual to want to put myself out there every time, and talk to people I didn't know on a deeper level than I'm used to.
I wouldn't change it though. I'd say it was all worth it, and that hard work really payed off there.
As for my friends at home, well, let's just say we'd need more than a week to get things sorted out.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow: day camp counselor. I can't wait to see what sort of experiences are in store for me.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Mulligan!?
Tomorrow, I am going back to school.
It's only for a week. I'm mostly going to work and meet new people. Two things I'm good at. It's been a month since I've been at school. In that short span of time, I've learned a lot about people, and ways to change how I interact with them, but I've also messed a lot of things up in the process. So I'm hoping to do things over: I want to recreate the night (and a few of the subsequent days) I came home from school, except I'm not going to screw it up this time. One person at a time, I'm going to do my best to fix the friendships I messed up.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.
Please say you will?
I've got a lot of explaining to do...
Goo Goo Dolls - Before It's Too Late by apolinos92
And lastly, a book that could've prevented all of this conflict.
I'm so into reading, I'm surprised I haven't read this one...oh wait. I'll bet someday, I could write this book myself.
Cheers, and I'll see you in a week and a day.
It's only for a week. I'm mostly going to work and meet new people. Two things I'm good at. It's been a month since I've been at school. In that short span of time, I've learned a lot about people, and ways to change how I interact with them, but I've also messed a lot of things up in the process. So I'm hoping to do things over: I want to recreate the night (and a few of the subsequent days) I came home from school, except I'm not going to screw it up this time. One person at a time, I'm going to do my best to fix the friendships I messed up.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.
Please say you will?
I've got a lot of explaining to do...
Goo Goo Dolls - Before It's Too Late by apolinos92
And lastly, a book that could've prevented all of this conflict.
I'm so into reading, I'm surprised I haven't read this one...oh wait. I'll bet someday, I could write this book myself.
Cheers, and I'll see you in a week and a day.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
5 More Things I've Learned
Learning doesn't only take place in the classroom. If you live life right, you learn something new everyday. This summer, my school has been the relationships I have with other people and my friends. I considered myself to be a socially capable person, but relationships that have depth and meaning are complex, and are a totally different breed of interaction from small talk made at a party.
Here's what I learned this week:
1. Difficulties exist to be surmounted.
2. If you want something done right, do it yourself. Whether it's a job, or communicating with other people, cut the middle man.
3. Actions speak louder than words. So many times have I heard this as I went through school, but now more than ever, I see how much attempting counts, even if I fail. It's better than never starting and always wondering what would have happened.
4. Respect: another grade-school hallmark. Respect relationships with other people by being clear with them of your intentions, whatever they may be. Respect yourself by telling others that they need to be honest with you and to consider your feelings.
5. When you have committed a wrong, admit it. Correct it, if you can. Apologize, and mean it. Even if it is not accepted right away, if you truly apologize, you will have done the best you can for the time that it is.
Here's what I learned this week:
1. Difficulties exist to be surmounted.
2. If you want something done right, do it yourself. Whether it's a job, or communicating with other people, cut the middle man.
3. Actions speak louder than words. So many times have I heard this as I went through school, but now more than ever, I see how much attempting counts, even if I fail. It's better than never starting and always wondering what would have happened.
4. Respect: another grade-school hallmark. Respect relationships with other people by being clear with them of your intentions, whatever they may be. Respect yourself by telling others that they need to be honest with you and to consider your feelings.
5. When you have committed a wrong, admit it. Correct it, if you can. Apologize, and mean it. Even if it is not accepted right away, if you truly apologize, you will have done the best you can for the time that it is.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Live from Washington, D.C...Walk the Moon
Hello again! Sorry I haven't posted in a little bit. Things have been less than stellar, but I'm gearing up for another great adventure this Monday: Washington D.C. to see Walk the Moon at the Black Cat (sounds slightly ominous, kind of edgy...I like it!) The tickets are only $10, so I am one happy, music-loving college kid! Walk the Moon is a fantastic group that I found out about this past fall. A friend of a friend goes to school in Cincinnati, where WtM regularly played the smaller venues. She told her friend, who told me and the rest of my friends, and now we're making a trip to go see them! I've played WtM here on the blog before, but they definitely deserve another listen.
P.S. I downloaded An Horse's two albums: "Rearrange Beds" and "Walls" and they are both amazing! I hardly ever download whole albums, but the tracks are all great, and I can't get enough of them.
Enjoy the music! :)
Concert Update 6/14/11: We spent the afternoon in D.C. yesterday, and after exploring some of the museums downtown, we made our way to the Black Cat. The Black Cat is a very small venue compared to the other ones I've been to so far this summer. My friends and I stood right up front, and there was no barrier between us and the stage. Nick, Walk the Moon's lead singer/ keyboardist, and Kevin, WtM's bassist, were so close to us, we were waiting for them to either jump into the crowd or give us high-five's, haha.
One thing I can say for sure: Walk the Moon's energy and sheer passion for what they do was practically tangible last night. I don't think their smiles ever left their faces, and their excitement spread to the crowd, making for one amazing show. After their set, they worked their own merch table, and we got to talk to them. They shook our hands, took a picture with us, and humored our excited chatter. They are a genuinely great group of guys, and I hope they continue on their path to success and never lose their spark. Last night was well worth the 3 hour drive.
The first song I ever heard by Walk the Moon, and the song by them most frequently covered by my brother's band: Anna Sun.
P.S. I downloaded An Horse's two albums: "Rearrange Beds" and "Walls" and they are both amazing! I hardly ever download whole albums, but the tracks are all great, and I can't get enough of them.
Enjoy the music! :)
Concert Update 6/14/11: We spent the afternoon in D.C. yesterday, and after exploring some of the museums downtown, we made our way to the Black Cat. The Black Cat is a very small venue compared to the other ones I've been to so far this summer. My friends and I stood right up front, and there was no barrier between us and the stage. Nick, Walk the Moon's lead singer/ keyboardist, and Kevin, WtM's bassist, were so close to us, we were waiting for them to either jump into the crowd or give us high-five's, haha.
One thing I can say for sure: Walk the Moon's energy and sheer passion for what they do was practically tangible last night. I don't think their smiles ever left their faces, and their excitement spread to the crowd, making for one amazing show. After their set, they worked their own merch table, and we got to talk to them. They shook our hands, took a picture with us, and humored our excited chatter. They are a genuinely great group of guys, and I hope they continue on their path to success and never lose their spark. Last night was well worth the 3 hour drive.
Find more songs like Anthem at Myspace Music
The first song I ever heard by Walk the Moon, and the song by them most frequently covered by my brother's band: Anna Sun.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hello, Weekend
Friday is finally here, and in an hour, I'll be headed out to play backyard baseball with my brother and some friends (although, I wish we were playing soccer!) and wrap up the night with a new board game we recently discovered, called "Quelf." If you have not yet played Quelf, I highly recommend it.
Enjoy the music (and the weekend!) :)
Enjoy the music (and the weekend!) :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Plans Fall Apart
Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.
Sometimes, things fall apart so that better things can fall together. Sometimes, things fall apart so you can realize what you had. Sometimes, things fall apart without a clear rhyme or reason, but if one looks carefully, meaning can be found in the ashes.
Plans may fall apart, but music can help keep your thoughts together.
Enjoy the mix :)
Sometimes, things fall apart so that better things can fall together. Sometimes, things fall apart so you can realize what you had. Sometimes, things fall apart without a clear rhyme or reason, but if one looks carefully, meaning can be found in the ashes.
Plans may fall apart, but music can help keep your thoughts together.
Enjoy the mix :)
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