Interview: Chris Pearson of Gran Ronde
Gran Ronde’s lead singer Chris Pearson doesn’t have time to worry about breaking news on TV. He’s too busy doing his own thing. He’s either writing songs with his brother, or he’s playing with L.A. local band the Black Palms or gearing up to take Gran Ronde to places farther than the 405 freeway. The Scenestar has kept an eye and ear on Gran Ronde for the past few years, and they are a Scenestar fave. Dudes, with lyrics like “I’ve been lost without you so please give me just a moment,” it’s enough for us to give Gran Ronde many, many more moments.
The Scenestar took a couple of minutes to chat with Chris about Gran Ronde’s upcoming activities, including a new album, opening for VHS or Beta and more importantly, where in the hell they have been for the past few months.
SS: Where have you been? Where in the hell have you been? [Laughing]
CP: What do you mean? I’ve been working, doing my thing. Where have you been? Does it seem that I have been gone?
SS: Well maybe it was because I didn’t see a lot of posts [on MySpace] in the past months.
CP: We started working on the new album in mid-February and before that, we have a couple of shows at the Troubador in January. We spent a lot of time recording; we got it where we wanted it. And once we got that, we started playing shows, which takes about a month to get back into.
SS: Will the new album have songs from the spray-painted self-titled EP?
CP: It’s going to include some of those songs, not the same versions, newer versions. We recut a lot of the songs.
Although Gran Ronde still considers themselves a young band, not too well-known outside of Los Angeles, and recently adjusting to new band mates, they have already played in England to sold-out crowds, opening up for bigger bands. Chris hopes that with their upcoming album, Secret Room, they will be able to reach an audience beyond the city of Los Angeles.
SS: Are all songs written by you?
CP: All songs are written by collaboration. My brother and I worked on the songs via Internet. [He lives in Utah.] I will send him ideas, and he would send me ideas on top of it, back and forth. My brother is a big part of this record.
SS: What the hell is he doing in Utah? [Nothing wrong with Utah, just asking.]
CP: He works over there, and he’s married. It was really cool to work on these songs, keep it in the family.
SS: You’re opening for VHS or Beta tonight. Are they Gran Ronde fans?
CP: I don’t think so. I am not exactly sure how the show came up. The Troubador is a fan of Gran Ronde, and they book us for shows they think will be a good fit for us and reach a bigger audience.
SS: You must be a sweetheart for the Troubadour to love you and also now The Scenestar.
CP: Yeah, now it’s time to take it to the street! We’re ready to start touring and get this record out.
Gran Ronde is one of the few Los Angeles bands that has maintained their popularity for the past few years. This time around, they are set to go to bigger places. Catch them before they do. They will be releasing their new album very soon.
Tonight they are opening for VHS or Beta, so for $15, you’re getting a good deal. C’mon celebrate that Barry Bonds didn’t hit 755 at Dodger Stadium.
Tonight @ Troubador: Doors at 8pm. Gran Ronde at 9pm sharp. VHS or Beta at 10pm. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Gran Ronde rocks!!!!!! Love your music and hope to see you play in AZ one day. Our concert site is Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ.
Posted by: terri melendrez | May 22, 2008 at 07:32 PM