Interview with Gracer

Gracer :: Online Interview via AIM . 05/02/06 :: Interviewer: Pascal

Gracer - Emily Taylor

Punk76: So first of all you may introduce yourself and the other members of the band, please.
Chris: sSure, my name's Chris and i play drums in the band. Ryan plays guitar and sings. justin plays bass, programming and plays keyboards.

Punk76: So you are only three members. How long does the band exists now?
Chris: Ryan and i have been playing together for almost 2 years now. We went through a billion lineup changes. started out as a 5 piece actually, which gradually turned into a 3 piece. When we found Justin, everything was solidified. he's been with us for less than a year.

Punk76: Great. And this form will hopefully never change?
Chris: Definitely not. It's one of those things where if anyone was replaced, things would be way too different to even call it the same band.

Punk76: Yes, I understand. So what do you do at the moment. Touring?
Chris: Yes, we just got back from a tour in the US. we have a bunch of scattered dates in and out of state this month. Next month we're doing a tour w/ Asia Minor, Albert React and some dates with Your Black Star in the states. there are more in the works as well. We're talking to a band called Hundred Year Storm (Floodgate rec.) that are awesome.

Punk76: So, to me it sounds as if you have very much to do over there. Is Gracer a full time job for you now?
Chris: Yes, we will be very busy this year. We plan on touring all year in support of our upcoming record. It's not a full time job per se. But we do it as full time as we can while working day jobs that let us leave for tour.

Punk76: Beeing in a band is more fun then another job?
Chris: It's definitely fun. A lot funnier than our day jobs. If it could be our job one day, we would be very happy people.

Punk76: Cool. So let's talk about the album. "Voices Travel"
Chris: sure
ask away, anything you'd like to know.

Punk76: Iwas listening to it now a couple of times. It sounds so awesome. So you are from New York and it seems as if the vibe of the city has calm down in your music. How would you describe your style musically?
Chris: Thanks. We really appreciate it. Yes, we are from New York. The birthplace of a lot of awesome music. I would describe us as a post hardcore band that experiments with indie rock, pop and shoegaze. We've been compared to a lot of different groups like Death Cab For Cutie, Coldplay and Sunny Day Real Estate. But i don't think we sound like anyone in particular.

Punk76: Oh, I know all of these bands and they are awesome too. But I would not compare these bands with you. I think you found your own sound. Something in between. So what is Shoegaze?
Chris: Shoegaze is a genre that includes bands like My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream. The primary label responsible for that style of music is Creation Records. Most of these bands don't exist anymore.

Punk76: Yeah thanks. You are also a band where I can learn a lot from. So you are from New York. Bayside is also from the there. Do you know about them?
Chris: Yes, we know them. I actually worked with some of them at one of my last jobs. Their bass player Nick was my boss. He's a great guy that has been in a lot of awesome bands.

Punk76: Is "Voices Travel" your debut on Revelation Records?
Chris: Yes, it is. It's our first official release as a band.

Punk76: Cool. I think you made it. I think the record turned into one of my favorites. Who is responsible for the lyrics. Who is the wierd kid on the band? I am only kidding!
Chris: Haha. thanks so much. That really means a lot. Ryan would be the wierd kid responsible for the lyrics. We're all pretty wierd though!

Punk76: I think every "real" rock musician is a wierd one. Do you think rock musician or these people who listen to such records as "Voices Travel" are more emotional than others? I definitely think so.
Chris: I hope so. It's definitely an emotionally charged record.

Punk76: Do you all have girlfriends?
Chris: I wish. actually none of us have girlfriends at the moment. Some of us did recently but that didn't work out. You can tell the ladies that we're free agents!

Punk76: Haha. Great. I am so excited to ask another question about the record.
Chris: No problem- go for it!

Punk76: The artwork is still catching my attention. This grey building with these paintings around it. What should it descripe?
Chris: It was a building in Louisville/ky close to where we recorded. someone told us about it and took a picture. if you look at the top of the building it says "hope" but it's faded. The picture captured a feeling that we thought was similar to the tone of the record. It's just very dark but at the same time uplifting.

Punk76: Man, that's awesome. So you recorded the record in Loiusville KY. How much time did the recording process took? I think it must be pretty long, or?
Chris: First: That's right- what an awesome place that is and second, it took us a little over a month to record it.

Punk76: That is not very much time. I often think about that. You know there are bands, who record albums in a half a year and they are not as half as good as yours. That's kind of funny.
Chris: Wow. thanks again dude. Imean, it felt like a long time to us cause we're not big rockstars or anything. we're used to recording record sin our older bands for less than a month. But either way, I think it's uneccessary for bands to take half a year to make a record.

Punk76: Okay, you are right. So who is Emily Taylor?
Chris: Emily taylor is Ryan's little sister. It's a song about their family.

Punk76: Oh yes. Taylor I forgot. Do you have any special plans for the future instead of getting a real girlfriend?
Chris: Haha. As of now, it's just to tour a whole lot because we want to travel, meet new people, hear new bands and see new things. Hopefully at some point, we can come to your side of the world.

Punk76: Yes, that would be graet. Maybe first of all as a support band. Can you name some bands that you like very much or that influenced you personally. Or one of your records that changed your mind. I think sometimes there are records that you like very much, but sometimes there are also records that you never forget and wich influenced your whole life. For example Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends, that they influnced my life a lot or Sunny Day Real Estate.
Chris: Some musicians that influenced me personally were Nirvana, Sunny Day Real Estate, Radiohead and Bjork. Ok Computer by Radiohead is probably one of my favorite records of all time because it's progressive, poppy, dark at times, uplifting, experimental but still rock all at the same time. It never gets old and i learned so much from it

Punk76: Cool. I don't know about Radiohead too much.
Chris: Really? They are amazing. Certainly different from music like Taking Back Sunday though.

Punk76: Cool, sounds great
Chris: Totally. We finished at a good time too because ryan just called me and we have to go play a show in a bit

Punk76: yeah, cool. Thanks a lot for your time. Good luck for the future.
Chris: anytime pascal. thanks & take care.

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