Erik Roldan writesCHIRP + Coach House Sounds Present: Redgrave

Late February and early March are shaping up to be a busy time for Chicago-based band Redgrave . A new EP, a SXSW showcase, and plenty of shows around town, the duo started out using home recordings by vocalist Angie Mead, and later becoming a two-piece after adding drummer Stephen Howard. Having worked with Tim Rutilli and David Yow on their debut single, the band is getting ready for big stuff. Check out their Coach House Sounds session starting Wednesday February 15th, and listen to CHIRP.org for a selection of tracks from the session!

Hey Redgrave:

1. What the dumbest thing you’ve ever done in a basement?

I think that would be fireworks. My friend and I set off a pack of jumping jacks in his parent’s basement when we were about ten. The second they went off it was obvious that it was a really dumb idea. His mom was actually home and came running down the stairs and I believe her words were, “What the fuck are you doing?” There was smoke everywhere. It was dumb.

2. Can you tell me about one time when you realized this was YOUR city?

When I looked at my wrist and say saw a tattoo of the city flag.

3. Describe a scenario where Redgrave could be someone’s life coach and the top 2 life lessons you’d teach them.

Well, I suppose the scenario would be one of us became a life coach. And I guess that involves someone wanting one of us to coach their life. Which is probably bad. Or would at least involve some hypocrisy. I think I would tell them three things. 1. to analyze and critically think about all the information given to them. 2. to always have compassion. 3. to not take life so serious. There are so many. #2 is hard

4. Tell me about your CHS session—what did you like about it? Was there anything that surprised you or was spontaneous that came out in the recording?

I like that it was fun. I liked that. It’s nice to make music around people who are happy music is being made around them. And even better when they are involved in an artistic way of their own. And that’s what seems to happen at CHS. Spontaneous things would maybe be the grass loaded sucker I decided to put in my mouth.

5. What’s happening? What are your current/upcoming shows or releases?

We are currently recording an EP at studio greg studio. I am writing this from his basement control room. It will be out on Lovitt Records in the June segment of the summer. We have a show coming up with Dead Rider at the Hideout on February 17th. Then we have a March 9th show with Centaur in Champaign at the Cowboy Monkey. The next day we play a SXSW party at the Hideout. To finish we go to SXSW. k. i go record now. bye. thanks. Stephen….and Angie