Sunday, December 25, 2011

SPEAK


SPEAK is an up and coming pop rock band from Austin, Texas. The band released its debut album, “I Believe In Everything,” with Modern Art records this past September featuring the hit “Carrie.”

“We recorded the album with our great friend Frenchie Smith here in Austin. It’s the result of years of songwriting, recording, mixing, and mastering,” Troupe Gammage, lead singer of the band, said.

The band was presented with “Best New Band” from the Talking Heads, one of the band’s biggest influences, at the Austin Music Awards after the release of its debut EP, “Hear Here.”

“We got to meet the Talking Heads a few years ago, which was obviously a huge deal for us,” Gammage said. “It seems no one of our generation isn’t a Talking Heads fan.”

Other influences include Lamount Dozier, Prince and David Bowie. Influences they’ve met on the road are Tigercity, Cage the Elephant, Tally Hall and Passion Pit.

Gammage  got his start in music at an early age.

“Both my parents were musicians, so I grew up around music,” Gammage said. “I started composing soundtracks for video games I was making in elementary school and have been writing music on computers ever since.”

Gammage met the rest of his band in high school and college.

“I first met Nick (Hurt, guitarist) and Jake (Stewart, drummer) when we were in junior high/early high school. Nick introduced us to Joey (Delahoussaye, bassist) when they were at the University of Texas classical guitar program together,” Gammage said.

The band found Modern Art records later on.

“Our manager had been talking to Ben Collins from Modern Art for a couple years before we signed to the label,” Gammage said. “I have no idea how he met Ben, but we’re glad he did.”

The writing process for the band’s music has been a collaborative project.

“We all write, and the process changes song to song,” Gammage said. “Some songs are incredibly collaborative, some are more personal, but we all have a voice in the arrangements and the production, which is really important to us.”

 

The music video for “Carrie,” was produced by Danger Films in Austin, TX.


 

How did you get your start in music?

Both my parents were musicians so I grew up around music.  I started composing soundtracks for video games I was making in elementary school and have been writing music on computers ever since!

How and when did you find the members of your band?

I first met Nick and Jake when we were in junior high/early high school, and we've been playing together in various configurations ever since (about a decade now)!  Nick introduced us to Joey when they were at the University of Texas classical guitar program together, but Joey actually grew up in the same neighborhood as I did so we all go way back.

How did you come up with the name SPEAK?

We're huge fans of the Lindsay Lohan album!

Who are some of your influences? Have you been able to contact or play with them?

We got to meet the Talking Heads a few years ago, which was obviously a huge deal for us; it seems no one of our generation ISN'T a Talking Heads fan.  Other than Lamont Dozier (who I consider one of the greatest song writers ever), we haven't been able to meet our other idols from past eras (Prince, David Bowie, etc.), but we've had the pleasure of meeting and befriending some of our more modern faves: Tigercity, Cage the Elephant, Tally Hall, Passion Pit...

How did you find your record label?

Our manager had been talking to Ben Collins from Modern Art for a couple years before we signed to the label.  I have no idea how he met Ben, but we're glad he did!

Who writes your music and how do you come up with the songs you write?

We all write, and the process changes song to song.  Some songs are incredibly collaborative, some are more personal, but we all have a voice in the arrangements and the production, which is really important to us.

What is the story behind your latest album, “I Believe in Everything” and how did you come about its recording process?

We recorded the album with our great friend Frenchie Smith here in Austin -- it's the result of years of songwriting, recording, mixing, and mastering

How did you create the music video for “Carrie?”

Our friends in Danger Films here in Austin had the idea for the video.  We recorded our bits and let them do the heavy lifting: riding around Austin with a projector strapped to a moving car!

What is your favorite song to perform and why?

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson... because everyone loves MJ.

How did it feel to be presented “Best New Band” from the Talking Heads at the Austin Music Awards?

That was a really incredible experience.  They were tremendously gracious and generous and seemed to appreciate what we were doing.  A star-struck moment for all of us!

Where have you been able to perform and which venue is your favorite?

Paradiso in Amsterdam, although we may be biased by other factors...

What was it like to perform with Tally Hall?

Awesome!  They're amazing guys and amazing musicians.  We're still listening to their record regularly and try to see them whenever we're in the same place.

What has been your biggest success?

Recording a great song with the incredible producer Jerry Wonda.  That was a blast!

What are your future plans?

Touring, making another record, making more videos.

What would you like to say to your current and future fans?

Current fans: Tell your friends!  Future fans: Tell your friends!




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