Grooveshark Artists

Last Halloween, we had the opportunity to meet & mingle with several artists during the Fest 9 and our first annual “Grooveshark Sessions”. Around 17 artists met up with us at Medusa Studios to record one live, acoustic track and an interview to be exclusively released via Grooveshark. After months of unwinding, editing, mixing, mastering, etc. - the tracks and interviews are here!

Next is Greenland is Melting, a folk/bluegrass/punk group are similar to ours here in Gainesville, FL. I’ve been going to their shows for years now, and was lucky enough to have a first-hand peak at the outstanding growth they’ve achieved over the years through pure hard work and dedication. It was truly a pleasure inviting them to participate in this opportunity, and not just from a mom-watching-your-kid-grow-up perspective. Check out my interview below with Shaun, Karl and Will:

I’m here with Greenland is Melting, a local Gainesville band signed to Paper + Plastick. They just wrapped up their recording for the Grooveshark Fest Sessions – so what song did you guys record?

K: “The Last Song”   Is this a technically ‘unreleased’ song?  

S: Yeah!   You guys have been playing it live for a while though, right?  

S: It was on our first release a long time ago.

K: We redid it recently and it’s coming out on a split EP with Jon Gaunt.    

Is this the first time you guys have played the Fest?  

K: Actually, yeah, it is.    

S: We usually play a lot of house shows during the Fest, but that’s about it. It’s not really the same.    

Have you had any crazy experience from this year’s Fest?

 W: I was surprised how little times I was asked for burrito money. I was all prepped – I emptied my wallet on purpose so when the crusties asked me for money, I couldn’t offer them any. But it’s been not that bad so far! I think since last years whole police riot thing, people are a little on edge. But as far as events go, I think my favorite story – I was walking out of 8 Seconds and there was this girl just sitting on the street, tears streaming down her face, and blood on her arms for some reason.

 S: That was your favorite story?!  

W: Well it’s not my favorite, that’s just my ‘Fest’ experience so far. It was 4 in the afternoon, Cobra Skulls just played… I hope she feels better.  

Have you guys been doing a lot of touring lately, or have you mostly been at home?

W: Right now we’re all juggling school, work and band; so we’ve done a lot of weekend tours or short 5-day tours. Coming up next year we’re going to be hitting the road for extended periods of time.

S: As long as we can stay on the road, we’ll be on the road.    

I know you guys have been playing in Gainesville for a few years now. Have you noticed a change in the scene at all, especially relating to the upsurge in alt country music?

S: I think that it was always there, but it was just hard to find. But now, people are more accepting of it and they’re seeking it out. That’s the big difference.

W: It’s kind of just like the natural evolution from the folk punk scene. We just threw our own twang on it.  

What’s your favorite venue to play in Gainesville?

S: Atlantic. Common Grounds.

W: My bass always sounds the best at Common Grounds… but really, all over Gainesville. You play small venues small shows for 15 people who are so close they’re breathing on you (which is amazing), and then you play Common Grounds and there’s that big stage which is weird but great, and all of the sound guys are so talented.  

Collective favorite food?

Taco Bell  

Favorite city to play in?

W: Asheville’s been pretty good to us. Always a good time.

S: I actually like Chapel Hill more than Ashville

W: Well, I think we can agree that North Carolina has always been a good time.  

Well I think that’s about it. Thank you guys so much for coming in – do you have any other questions or comments?

K: No, I just wanted to say thank you to Grooveshark!

W: Yes thank you Grooveshark!

S: We had a great time.