Your name:
Greg
Your band’s name:
Autumn Gray
What’s the deal with the band’s name:
Someone suggested that the new band’s name should “…have no connotations, something like ‘Autumn Gray’…”, and thus it was born. There is also a little character named ‘Autumn Gray’; you can find him hiding on our album art and website.
Define your sound in five words or less:
Heart-on-sleeves folk rock.
Someone is walking passed as you’re playing, they get a beer and tell their friend about you… what do they say?
“Hey hombre, check out this band, they’re swapping instruments all the time, and they look like nerds, but man can they write a song!”
And how do they dance?
Oh no, they don’t dance, they swoon. Actually sometimes they do dance first, and then they swoon.
How long have you been gigging and writing?
Since 2004.
What’s been your favourite gig you’ve played to date?
We played our debut album live, backed by a 44 piece orchestra at Federation Square last year; it was eargasmic.
What inspires or has influenced your music the most?
On the writing side we all love literature, Steinbeck, Kerouac, Vonnegut. Books with heart, books with grit. On the music side of things, Augie March, Sigur Ros, The Decemberists, Art Of Fighting, You Am I. I’m sure you get the vibe.
Favourite piece of on-stage banter, or fan-related craziness?
Wouldn’t call them a ‘fan’, but one punter was advising Pats that he looked like a person off a certain TV show (something he is quite aware of). Words were exchanged, physical threats were made. I say we won the non-fight.
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?
Depends what you mean by succeed. I think if you write interesting music, play with passion, and really perform for punters at your gigs, you’ll be rewarded and things will come your way.
Do you have any releases to date? What? Where can I get it? Is it good?
We released our debut album Diary of a Falling Man last year to fantastic reviews. You can get that from our website autumngray.com. We’re also releasing the amazing live recording of the aforementioned orchestra show in November, which you should all get your greasy little mitts on!
Why should everyone come and see you?
You know those moments when you hear a piece of music, and you can feel it in your chest? That’s why you should come see us.
When and where are you playing next?
We’re doing a show for the release of our live orchestra CD on Friday November 18 at the Thornbury Theatre, along with Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos and Mark from Skipping Girl Vinegar. We’re all backed by the wonderful Orchestre Nouveau. It’s going to be amazing.
Famous last words:
Woaah, what the heck was that?!
