Write Up Version of Wakey! Wakey! Grubbs Interview

Michael Grubbs of Wakey!Wakey! Interview

Michael Grubbs joins me to talk about fronting an upcoming indie group ‘Wakey! Wakey!’, his acting debut in hit US TV show One Tree Hill and his obsession for anything zombie.

Interview by Katherine Parkes

Michael Grubbs, most commonly referred to by his second name, seems a lot more relaxed than you’d expect someone would look had they been in his shoes the last couple of years. For his band ‘Wakey! Wakey!’ it’s been two hectic years, starting with worldwide tours and  ending with them preparing their second studio album, due to release later this year. “I’m being really careful with this album. I already have 26 songs finished to choose from. I think when you see things written tattooed on enough people, it ups the ante a little!”.

Wakey! Wakey! were officially formed 6 years ago, when the band went from 11 full time members to a band consisting only of Grubbs, his backing singer Tanya Berziak and various rotational musicians. He explains that the band’s name was inspired from their first set of songs, which were primarily based around political themes, “The idea was that you’d let them into your head and then one day it would all click and they’d make you consider life in a new way” explains Grubbs, “Now I’m tired of politics, and I write about life and love”.

Grubbs’ big break came after 10 years of struggling to make it as a musician in New York, when One Tree Hill’s producer Mark Schwahn caught the band playing at an open mic after waiting three hours to see them play. He was so impressed, that the band’s music began to feature on various episodes of the show, before an entire role was created specifically for Grubbs’, based loosely on his real life persona. When asked about whether or not he’d do acting again, Grubbs admits “As long as it didn’t get in the way of music. If it wasn’t for music, I might be an actor, I might be homeless. I definitely wouldn’t be behind a desk somewhere. I just can’t pull that off!”

Although a lot of people had not originally realised he was a musician, it did not take long for the band to gain coverage and soon after, they released their first album which went onto become one of the most critically acclaimed of 2010. He describes this experience by saying “At some point in a musicians career things just kind of tip over, and amazing things start to happen all the time”. Despite the band’s sales skyrocketing, Grubbs’ down to earth attitude remains intact, “I’m really grateful to have an amazing life right now. Between living in Brooklyn, NY, and travelling all over the world I get to have a ton of unusual experiences. I think all of it works its way into my music somehow”.

Grubbs puts his incredible classic, raw toned voice down to the way he was brought up by his musical family in his hometown Richmond, Virginia. At age five, he began singing worship music and playing piano on a daily basis. However, it wasn’t until his teens when his real inspiration and love for piano came after he began discovering pop artists such as Billy Joel and Elton John. This mix of genres growing up gave him the classical and pop influenced voice and style he has today, “I never really considered much of anything else [as a career]. The piano is all I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s like a video game I’ll never beat”. Once it was time to move out, Grubbs went to New York City to be an understudy of classical legend Lach and ever since then, Brooklyn has been home for him. He even notes it as his favourite place to travel to, as his constant travelling makes going there “like a vacation” to him. “New York has an energy. Also it’s so full of exciting people, I fall in love every time I ride the subway!”

As well as his talent, Grubbs displays effortless natural ability to not only engage his audience but amuse them, which may contribute to the band having the opportunity to play all over the world. In fact, they’ve travelled so much that Grubbs struggles to pinpoint his favourite moment on tour. “Every time I play in London is astounding. I love the people. A night off in Amsterdam, a walk alone in Paris, surfing in Florida, a pickup game of basketball in Virginia with my band. I also love time on stage; it can be a real rush when it goes right”.

Love has obviously been a large inspiration for Wakey! Wakey!’s first album ‘Everything I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You’, so when the talk turns to Grubbs’ love life he grins as he says “I went on a date last week with a girl who worked in an office and I was fascinated. I kept asking her, "Is there really a water cooler?", and "Do you have a copying
machine?" We don't see these sorts of things much in rock and roll. Our offices are covered in records and guitars and things to make you forget you're in an office”. Love being an inspiration is also made edvident when Grubbs’ explains “I’m of the mindset that all songs are cool. You can hear the sappiest love song and it can sound ridiculous if you’re in a breakup, or stunning if you’re just falling in love.”

When the conversation turns to today’s music industry and major labels, Grubbs admits the reasons why he turned down various offers. “To be honest, I think major labels can do a lot for certain artists look at Madonna, her career highly benefitted from signing to a bigger label. Our issue is struggling with whether we want to be part of it as we see ourselves very much so as an indie band and love the freedom we get with that”. With this in mind, the band have remained loyal to the minor label ‘Family Records’ who they released their first album with as he describes major labels as ‘dinosaurs who may be unsuitable for their style’.

It is safe to say that despite all the work Grubbs does, he is still a big kid at heart particularly when it comes to his obsession with anything Zombie related. “I’d love to be on a zombie show. I really love zombies. I have four books on my nightstand and three are about zombies” he says embarrassed. His inner child also emerges when he speaks of his ‘superpower’, “I can already fly and I have super strength, but don’t tell anyone. People always ask me to help them move. But if I could do anything. Time Travel. Or maybe I’d never age” he says with a wicked laugh.

As the interview comes to a close and a new coffee in hand Grubbs says “We’re gonna pick the producer for this album, get it recorded, then get back on the road! I love touring. Hopefully we’ll come see you!”. 

Wakey! Wakey! Grubbs Interview

Michael Grubbs is best know for fronting an upcoming indie/folk group ‘Wakey! Wakey!’. For anyone that hasn't heard his music, you may recognize him from his acting debut in hit US TV show One Tree Hill in which he plays a barman under his own name.

What other musicians or people have influenced your music? I'm really grateful to have an amazing life right now. Between living in Brooklyn, NY, and traveling all over the world I get to have a ton of unusual experiences. I think all of it works it's way into my music somehow. My first album was really soaked in Brooklyn indie rock. Bands like Grizzly Bear, Beirut, and The Dirty Projectors. Now that I've traveled so much as a result of that album I think my next album will be even more expansive.

What’s been your best moment whilst on tour? Every time I play London is astounding. I love the people. There can't be one specific moment though. A night off in Amsterdam, a walk alone in Paris, surfing in Florida, a pick up game of basketball in Virginia with my band. I also love the time on stage. Playing in front of a large crowd is a lot like surfing. There's a flow to it, and a give and take. Especially when you talk as much as I do. It can be a real rush when it goes right.

Where did the name ‘Wakey! Wakey!’ come from? My first set of songs was very political, but they were all disguised as love songs. The idea was that you'd let them into your head and then one day it would all click and they'd make you consider life in a new way. The name was a hint to wake up. Now I'm tired of politics, and I write about life and love.

If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing and why? I might be an actor. I might be homeless. I definitely wouldn't be behind a desk somewhere. I just can't pull that off. I have a great respect for people that do, though. I went on a date last week with a girl who worked in an office and I was fascinated. I kept asking her, "Is there really a water cooler?", and "Do you have a copying machine?" We don't see these sorts of things much in rock and roll. Our offices are covered in records and guitars and things to make you
forget you're in an office.

What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player? Depending on who you talk to, every song can either be really embarrassing or really cool. I'm of the mindset that all songs are cool. You can hear the sappiest love song and it can sound ridiculous if you're in a breakup, or stunning if you're just falling in love. The most unexpected artists would probably be people like Katy Perry and Lil Wayne. I love pop music, and I love hip hop. I also love me some Dolly Parton.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? I'd love to work with someone in hip hop. Maybe Lil Wayne. I met Ludicrous at a party last December. He was such a nice guy. Maybe we'll do something!

You’re in the middle of writing new material, how will it differ from the last album? I'm being really careful with this album. I already have 26 songs finished to choose from. I think when you see things you've written tattooed on enough people, it ups the anti a little.

What was the best gig you have attended? I walked in off the street last week to a Zach Williams concert at New York's Rockwood Music Hall. It blew my hair back. It was an extremely emotional day for me, and the music was just so powerful and perfect. I'd wager in 7 months they'll be the biggest band in the world. I have a feeling I'll tell my kids I was at that show. Zach is my friend, and I've known him for 5 or 6 years. That being said, I barely recognized the person on that stage. It was wonderful.

What other musicians have you met that you admire? At some point in a musician's career things just kind of tip over, and amazing things start to happen all the time. I've been fortunate to meet a ton of really great musicians. I went drinking with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene once really early on. Actually it was my first time in Paris and we stayed in the same hotel. I really respect him as a musician, and that whole experience just kind of blew my mind. He's a really, really cool guy.

What made you realise you wanted to become a musician? I never really considered much of anything else. The piano is all I've ever wanted to do. It's like a video game I'll never ever beat.

Would you ever do more acting if given the chance? As long as it didn't get in the way of the music. Acting is really fun, but I don't consider myself an actor. I like that actors let me come on set and be on camera with them, though!

If you could be in any other tv show what would it be? I'd love to be on a zombie show. I really love zombies. I have 4 books on my nightstand and 3 are about zombies. Maybe The Walking Dead?

Where’s your favourite place to travel to? Brooklyn. It's actually where I live, but I travel so much, coming home is a vacation.

What’s your favourite thing about New York? New York has an energy. Also it's so full of exciting people. I fall in love every time I ride the subway!

What are the five things you can’t live without? My piano, Chocolate, Steak, my favorite jeans, and my phone. That's really off the top of my head. It also takes for granted that my friends and family aren't going anywhere.

If you could have one super power what would it be and why? Time Travel. Or maybe I'd never age. I can already fly and I have super strength, but don't tell anyone. People always ask me to help them move.

When are you going into the studio to record the version of Blame You you play live? (It’s amazing!) You never know! I really love that song, though. Thanks for the compliment!

What does the future hold for Wakey! Wakey!? We're gonna pick the producer for this album, get it recorded, then get back on the road! I love touring. Hopefully we'll come see you!

An example of Grubbs' amazing vocal and piano talents

Josh Krajcik Interview

For those of you who don't know Josh Krajcik, he is most commonly known for being a contestant on 'The X Factor USA' where he was watched by millions worldwide and placed 2nd. He is currently working with Adele's producer Eg White to create his first album, after he was signed to Sony Music taking his profession from a 'burrito slinger' to a signed musician.

What can we expect from the album? I think its important to be honest in music. For me, to get a glimpse into the heart and mind of an artist gives the music more meaning. I want to make a record that comes across soulful and true. That's the kind of album I like to listen to, so that's what I want to make 

What made you realise you wanted to become a musician? I'm one of the lucky ones that knew from a very early age exactly who I was and what I wanted to do in life. When I was little my dad would play guitar and we'd sing together. In the third grade I began piano lessons with 2 different teachers. One taught me to read music and technique, while the other helped me understand theory and why my improvisations sounded good to me. Both were invaluable. By the time I was twelve I'd gotten a guitar and my fate was set. I knew, for better or worse, my trade was being a musician. At age 15 I got a weekly gig at a little bar in Ohio. I lied and told them I was 22  and made 100 bucks for 4 hrs. I've been playing in bars and touring ever since.  

What other musicians or people have influenced your music? Well the default answer for most players I know, including myself, is the Beatles. But also my dad's a player. But in addition I'd say Clapton, Ray Charles, Hendrix, Etta James, Otis Redding, Soundgarden amongst others. Even bands I listened to at a young age like Ministry and Megadeth may have had some influence on me. But really as an artist anything or anyone who inspires you is an influence. 

What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians? Number one thing is to be yourself. Never emulate. Have fun. Be productive. Never give up. And never ever feel that you've arrived.  

Who would you most like to collaborate with? I love prince. As a player it seems to me there are few guitar players alive that can do what he does. His songwriting is amazing and he's completely inimitable. Beyond that any like minded talent is a pleasure to work with.  

What other musicians have you met that you admire? I admire most musicians I meet. There's a bit of a kinship there. Seems were all a little off in some way. I met John Mayer. He was cool. Great player too.  

Hows life been since the the X Factor ended? Busy. I've been really enjoying the writing process. I've been working with great writers lately. I've always been a songwriter but lately the inspiration is in full force and I think some of the people I've been working with deserve some credit for that.  

Aside from gaining a record contract, how did the X Factor change your life? Being recognized wherever I go has been amazing. Every city and every airport I've been, people want to say hello. Its an amazing feeling and I love it. I think in any industry you only want to be recognized for what you do well and its the same here. 

What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player? I don't know about embarrassing, perhaps unexpected; I love Britney Spears' "toxic".    Love it.  

What are the five things you can’t live without? My guitar. My loved ones. My integrity. My child. My country.  

What does the future hold for Josh Krajcik? I'll be making music till the day I die. What comes with that is yet to be seen. One things for sure. I cant wait to find out.  

If you want to see the talent that got him to the final, this is his first audition!

A Band To Look Out For - To Kill A King

So, I've seen these guys supporting Wakey! Wakey! twice and are a band to definitely check out if you're especially into folk/alternative music. The lead singer actually has a sort of Johnny Cash-esque voice on him in some places.

To Kill A King - "So My Friends Want To Marry.."

Bruno Mars, Brixton Academy 24/10/11

Bruno Mars’ shows were sold out for very good reason. This guy not only has impeccable vocal talent, but is also a great entertainer who made the effort to interact with his fans (or ‘Hooligans’) often throughout his hour and a half long set. His band were also great fun, especially backing singer Phil who had the crowd in stitches with his recital of his ‘Omg this is great’ part from ‘The Lazy Song’. They really knew how to get the crowd going and made everyone minute of the set enjoyable for all, even encouraging the audience to sing and dance along.  

Supporting Bruno Mars was Skylar Grey, who is definitely talented but lacked the same kind of energy that I’d expect from someone performing to such a large crowd. One thing I would credit her for is singing the songs she features in for which she is best known, such as ‘Love The Way You Lie’ which she actually sung better than Rihanna does in my opinion!

After finishing his set with the much anticipated ‘Just The Way You Are’, Bruno answered the cheers and screams for encore by returning to the stage to perform ‘Valerie’, a tribute to Amy Winehouse with pictures flashing up on the screen behind of the late female artist who he says influenced him a lot. He then went on to perform ballad ‘Talking to the Moon’ which was a great song to end the night.

Overall,if you want to see an artist who will perform beyond your expectations, bring a lot of energy and sound as good live than on recording, this is an artist well worth seeing.  

 

Wakey! Wakey! 19/10/11 London

This is the second time I've seen Wakey! Wakey! and of all the bands I've seen, they still create one of the most incredible ambiences I've experienced. During their hour and a half set, the band managed to cover every song of their debut album 'Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You...', along with some new material and an acoustic cover of Cyndi Laupers 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' and most importantly, my favourite song by them '1876 The Brooklyn Theatre Fire'.

Although they don't pull as big a crowd as they do in the US, they play any show just as energetic no matter how big their audience, and the intimate atmosphere they create seems to add to their appeal. However, what makes Wakey!Wakey!'s gigs particularly memorable is the interaction that the band  has with the audience, highlighting the endearing awkardness of Mike through stories of his childhood and their time in London.

It's rare to find an artist who sounds as good as they do on their albums, but I'd argue that they sound even better than they do on their recordings with their acoustic versions of songs from their album. They also played a lot of new material, which also seemed to go down well with the audience and the band managed to keep peoples focus throughout the new songs even where people couldn't sing along.

Their support bands are something to be noticed too. I hadn't seen Casey Shea before, but from the couple of songs I did manage to see him play, he seemed to have created a good energy with his opening act. To Kill a King were the second act of the night, who had supported the band before and definitely had some support from their own circle of fans, and played a great set. They were a support band that I would arrive early to a gig to see.

All the acts seemed genuinely overwelmed by the support, and seemed as though they had a lot of fun and even did a meet and greet after - something you wouldn't usually expect from one of your favourite artists. They are one of the most incredible bands to see live, and when you do, you'll see that their recordings don't do them as much justice as actually being there. I know with the kind of performances I've seen them do this year, I will definitely be there next time they play in London!