So So Modern’s Grayson Gilmour is a very talented lad indeed. Chapters is Grayson’s second self-released piece of solo work. It is, in a word, beautiful. The kind of thing you’d play when you want to get intimate with someone, or you’re feeling a little bit sombre. Not only will this pick you up with its beauty alone, but it will leave you literally gagging for more.
Different in feel and style to his debut album You Sleep, We Creep, Chapters is a more mature piece, typically sophomore. Grayson uses primarily guitar over piano and has added extra instruments for interest such as Xylophone, Accordion and so on. With hints of Elliot Smith, Thom Yorke (not to mention Radiohead) and soft style vocals reminiscent of Sigur Ros (I even think Grayson looks a little bit like ón Þór (Jónsi) Birgisson). When “word gets around” about Chapters, Grayson will be rushing to print more copies!
tks: Here we have a new, self-released EP. It must be hard work doing everything yourself. What is the hardest thing about putting out an idie album/EP all by yourself?
gg: It used to be the process of taking on a third person persona in order to promote myself with a release, me me this, me me that, it can all get a bit awkward and egotistic… but now its fine, its just like listening back to your voice the first time you make a recording, you get used to it…
tks: How do you feel this EP is different/the same from/as your other stuff?
gg: Well, I imposed a couple of rules on myself at the beginning of recording the EP… no piano & no distortion, I broke the piano rule once (or twice) but nevertheless, it still makes for a different ’sound’ overall… if you’re familiar with my earlier albums. Also, the songs weren’t written over one period, rather spread out over six years, started, stopped, cut, reworked… just songs that needed their own space.
tks: What would you say your main influences are musically?
gg: I’ve genre skipped constantly through my teens until now, so its hard to trace back roots sometimes… before I left to move to Wellington I was in a hardcore band, metal band, electronica improv duo, jazz trio, barbershop quartet, orchestra, blah blah blah… theres more but I wont bore you. Currently I’m listening to alot of music with no vocals, or only vocals, heh… ignoring the in between.
tks: You do play all the instruments yourself right?
gg: On Chapters and some earlier stuff yes, but I have written out parts for string players, drummers, etc… I love playing drums but sometimes my imagination overrides my ability, …the limits of being self-taught I guess…
tks: You certainly sound like you know what you’re doing on those instruments. How old were you when you first started playing music?
gg: Erm… well, it all began with piano lessons around 4 or 5 years old and as I grew older I wanted to play more and more instruments, so I’d save/spend/save/spend all my money on guitars, basses, effects, keyboards… until there was no space left in my bedroom.
tks: What has been your best gig lately?
gg: Well, attended it would probably have to be Beirut… I’d heard maybe one or two songs before seeing them live and got into the show on a stroke of luck… anyway their set totally blew me away, so many people on stage!… playing would have to be over in France with sosomodern, with Deerhoof and the Dirty Projectors, amazing venue, amazing bands…
tks: You’re heading overseas soon with So So Modern. When? How long for? And, will you be playing your solo stuff?
gg: JUNE!… THREE MONTHS!… MAYBE!… I get the opportunity to play solo every now and then and usually take up the offer, it can become quite a juggling act tho…
tks: What is your favourite flavour Popsicle? Mine is lemonade. I got told that was a grandma choice…
gg: Lime, which of course looks like slime, which can be related to Slimer, the loveable yet repulsive ghost from the late Ghostbuster movies…
tks: Being that thekitchensink is a website, what are your thoughts on music and the Internet?
gg: Its the best resource for musicians, and I think musicians should work harder to ensure it remains a free (or at least inexpensive) resource… all the tools are there to be learnt and used, its just a matter of putting the time in… otherwise itunes will rule supreme!
tks: Your number one on your iPod ‘top 25′ (assuming you have one)?
gg: Hmmm, I don’t know… I’ve been listening to the Holy Fuck album heaps, oh and the new Portishead and a great band called Toe.
by Hannah Simon
Grayson is playing at the San Fran Bath house with Seth & Merle, Kitten et Me and Paperghost on May the 30th. It’s going to be really good – you should go!
Chapters is available direct from Grayson (limited to 500, first 50 come with lyric zines!)
