Band Bio:
GrandEvolution is a female fronted, all-original rock band from Southern New England. Members include Sarah Kollett, Scott Kenyon, and Mike Gendron. In 2001, they released their debut EP. In September of 2004, GrandEvolution independently released a 3 song demo which was recorded and produced by the award winning Drew Townson at Flying Scotsman Productions in Rockland, MA. With the release of this EP they started receiving airplay on several commercial and college radio stations including 107.3 WAAF, 104.1 WBCN, 95.5 WBRU and 94.1 WHJY. This disc has helped them to get into several new venues and to get the attention of managers, agents and producers.
Their tunes are well-crafted, catchy and melodic. Since forming, GrandEvolution has played over 200 shows. In January of 2005 they opened for Kay Hanley (formerly of Letters to Cleo). In the 2005 Providence Phoenix Music Poll, Sarah was nominated for best female vocalist and Covered in Roses was nominated for best song. In 2006 GrandEvolution will be releasing their first full length record. The album was recorded at Altitude Studios in Rockland, MA, and mixed by Jason Elgin at Synchromesh Studios in Birmingham, AL.
Website:
http://www.grandevolution.com
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/grandevolution - Here you can view their video for “Star” off the “If You Only Knew” CD - directed by Joey Vegas.
How long have the band been together?
Since 2001 – about 4.5 years now.
What was the inspiration behind the band name?
The band sort of evolved from other bands. We were all involved in other bands at other times, those split and we knew we meshed well togther. We evolved into what we are today.
How would you best describe you sound and who are your influences?
Mike – Neil Young
Sarah – Soul Asylum
Scott – although they don’t influence my playing style I like Radiohead.
Our sound fits a lot of different categories. We’d describe it as Melodic Rock! One of our reviews called it “Indie rock power pop” and “modern rock”. Review from Pulse Mag - http://www.grandevolution.com/pulse_review.htm
Your disc “If you only knew” (2006) was recently released. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Well it was 1 year pre production. The album was recorded at Altitude Studios in Rockland, MA, and mixed by Jason Elgin at Synchromesh Studios in Birmingham, AL.
Ultimate Goal as a band?
To make a living and to be on tour because people *like* us, and want us! The band all agree that being able to make a living at music is the ultimate goal. Working 40-50 hour weeks at day job, the fitting in rehearsal and playing gigs is tough. The love of music keeps them going.
Best Gig?
Our CD release party at AS220 in Providence had a good feel to it. As well as the all ages show at the RockAThon in Athol. Playing for a young teen crowd with energy is infectious.
Worst Gig?
For Sarah there was no having to think, it was in the forefront of her mind. It was the night at Club DiNero, she was told that day that she had to have surgery to have her tonsils removed. The guys agree that The Compound was a bad night… things just didn’t come together as they should have. It was an all around bad night in their memory.
Upcoming Gigs?
07/08/2006 09:00 PM - Jacques Underground
79 Broadway, Boston, MA 02101 - $10
07/11/2006 09:00 PM - TT The Bears
Brookline Ave, Cambridge, MA 02445 - $7
07/13/2006 09:00 PM - Characters Pub
246 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440 - $6
07/15/2006 01:00 PM - Green Field Rock Festival at Greenfield Energy Park
Greenfield, MA 01301 -
07/16/2006 11:30 PM - 107.3 WAAF
Boston, MA 02101 - RADIO PERFORMANCE
07/20/2006 09:00 PM - The Lucky Dog
89 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01601 - $6
07/21/2006 08:00 PM - AS220
Empire Street, Providence, RI 02901 - $6
07/22/2006 08:00 PM - Plan B Cafe
352 Rt 32, Uncasville, CT 06382 - $6
07/27/2006 09:00 PM - The Empire Lounge
Manchester, NH 03101 - $6
07/29/2006 06:00 PM - Acme Underground
New York , NY 13417
If you could tour with any band or musician, who would it be?
Sarah – Soul Asylum. Imagine this. You are young in a band, at the age of 17 and your dream is to play with them. You call their booking agent to get on a local bill, where they are using local musicians. You are told they already have the slot filled. So you buy tickets to go to the show with some friends to find out when you get there, that YOUR BAND is on the bill! Yup, Sarah describes this as one of the most frustrating situations she has ever been in.
The guys – Muse.
What sets your band apart from other bands out there these days?
“We Rock!”
The guys say Sarah sets them apart because doesn’t give up. She pushes and searches and keeps chugging away at booking gigs and traveling down every avenue she can find. Regarding their sound they feel they are a diverse group with lots of different influences. They mesh well when they play. Since they all like different types of music and bands, they feel everyone brings something different to the table that makes them unique. They’ve found their niche!!
Thoughts on the current music industry?
Over populated! It isn’t all about the music anymore. If this were 20 years ago we’d be HUGE. Now it’s all about the pictures, the appearance, the videos, who you can get to produce/engineer your CDs. That and signature sound is lacking these days.
Thoughts about MySpace?
We’ve only been on MySpace about a year. It hasn’t hurt us, but at this stage it hasn’t helped us either.
The whole band agrees that they have a neutral vibe regarding MySpace at this point and are unsure of the benefits as of yet.
Message to fans?
If you like the music persue it. If you don’t, find something you like and move on.
Interviewed by: Stacie Caddick-Dowty
