INTERVIEW:
PHOTO CREDIT: Elise Mesner
gv.grace
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MY last interview of the day is with gv.grace…
who have been telling me about their new single, F**k Golf, and its amusing video. I learn how Genevieve and Griffith got together and whether there will be more material coming next year – they tell me what sort of music influences them.
The duo reveal which albums mean the most to them each and if there are tour dates coming up; if they have a favourite memory from their careers so far; which approaching artists we need to keep an ear out for – Genevieve and Griffith each pick a song to end the interview with.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
We’ve had a busy week peddling this grass crotch far and wide.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
My name is Genevieve and my partner/producer is Griffith, A.K.A. Inner Oceans.
How did gv.grace get together? When did you start performing together?
We’ve been collaborating musically for the last ten years and finally began a project just the two of us. Our first night in the studio we wrote two songs in about two hours - both of which appear on our first E.P., Heaven Mouth.
Talk to me about F**k Golf. Can you reveal the inspiration behind the song and how it came to mind?
F**K Golf came about after we listened to Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast. The specific episode is A Good Walk Spoiled. We wanted to write a protest song but from the perspective of the privileged perpetrator. It’s an absurd parody but the character in this song is what’s behind the classism that is creating harmful disparities in our society. We also wanted to reveal ‘her’ fragility as one who is also oppressed by playing into that role.
I like the video a lot! How did the concept come together? Was it cool working on it?
It was amazing. Elise Mesner was our dream director for this. We thought her aesthetic matched perfectly for the song. Needless to say, we were thrilled when she loved the track.
After we saw her treatment, we knew we had to do whatever it took to make it a reality. Somehow, everything came together. We met D.O.P. Michael Attalah whose eye and energy made this video world-class. We met James Joyner on a shoot and he offered to build us a full-sized diorama!
By chance, we were also able to pull in the legendary Hollywood snake handler, Jules Sylvester, and his beautiful albino Texas rat snake. There were more than twenty models, dancers; actors and assistants that volunteered their time to bring life to this video! It was the highlight of our year so far!
Heaven Mouth EP was released earlier this year. Do you think there will be another E.P. coming next year?
YES! We are deep in the writing process. At this point, we are focusing on a string of singles but we imagine another E.P. release early next spring.
If I were to travel back to your childhoods; what sort of music would I find in your collections?
Genevieve: I was raised on a lot of ’60s/’70s Soul. Memphis Soul was my favorite (Al Green, Otis Redding; The Staple Singers…) and lots of Prince.
Griffith: Smashing Pumpkins and Enya. But, more than anything, I loved the classic SNES composers like Yasunori Mitsuda and Koji Kondo.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
We want to introduce the character, gv.grace, to the world! We also hope F**K Golf can contribute to the social/political dialogue as we approach our midterms this fall.
Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
Last year, we decided to go to FYF Fest in Los Angeles. We jumped into the sweat and grime of the festival and it just felt so good to be a music fan again! Nothing beats the feeling of having an almost teenage obsession over your favorite artists like being willing to stand in the heat - packed in from all sides - to listen to your favorite songs.
Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?
Genevieve: Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
I hear an artist transcending their own talent and making something effortless. Looking through Marvin Gaye’s eyes at the insanity and brutality and seeing the beauty beyond all of it. He made something to help all of us through it.
Griffith: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
It’s catastrophic, like a star. The sounds are unbelievably violent if you are too close. But, from afar, it’s breathtaking and absolutely beautiful…almost angelic.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
We both love Little Dragon. The daily catharsis of playing with them would be incredible. Our rider? Cat butlers? Yeah; we want cat butlers…
Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?
We will be focusing regionally on the West Coast through the year. But, we hope to begin more extensive tours through the U.S. in 2019. Definitely, we dream of playing in U.K. and Europe as well. Our next show is in L.A. at the Hi Hat on October 10th - Playing with N.Y.C. band Plastic Picnic and L.A. locals Laureline.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
The best advice we ever got was from esteemed music lawyer, Richard Grabel, and it seems pertinent to more than just music. He said: “The ones that make it are the ones that stick to their guns”. People can feel when something is made from a genuine place.
IN THIS PHOTO: Boy Dude
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Boy Dude. Sincerely kitchy love-jams from the forgotten vinyl multiverse. Your Smith works so hard and has the tracks to prove it. Check out The Spot. Pure Pop candy. Kitty Crimes. Producer/rapper phenom. Also, your future spirit animal.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kitty Crimes
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
We love nothing more than to go on long drives while listening to our favorite records. We love to explore and we love finding the soundtrack for those times.
Finally, and for being good sports; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Caribou - Silver
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