Always Grounded – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

Always Grounded – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

We connected with RJ, the singer of Always Grounded. Here’s what he had to say.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

RJ: The very first EP we recorded, I had absolutely n0 prior experience in writing a song or even singing for that matter! My buddy had a studio, my brother had an acoustic guitar, and I had my best Tom DeLonge impression! With that we kind of just went for it. Now, I’ve got 4 years of experience, it’s still not a lot but it definitely has made a huge difference in every aspect of my writing. Rather than just recording the first thing that pops into my head, I create vocal demos using whatever instrumental a bandmate sends me, and when I finish I really just sit with it. If something feels off to me or anyone else in the band. I go back and rework it. We’re a team, I take value in any input they give me!

RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?

RJ: Boy oh boy. Our very first show was was at this place called “The Crunch House”. You had to DM the bands to get the address of this place, walk down a sketchy alleyway, and it was nearly impossible to find. I think I blew my voice out by the end of the set. It was not good. That’s all apart of the experience though! Our best show however was in a Chicken Shop in Carlisle, PA (Shout out Grandma Stamm’s!) There was just an energy that night where you could tell everyone in the crowd and in the band were just having an awesome time. It was truly special and a show I hold close to my heart!

RRX: Artists, musicians, we immortalize. We set it in stone. Is there anyone who has passed that you feel you have immortalized in your work? If so, can you tell us a little about them?”

RJ: We recently lost our lead guitarist Jude. He was such a kind and funny soul. He brought such a fun chaotic energy to this band that will never be replicated again. We all feel super blessed that two weeks before his passing we had spent a week in the studio together working on new material. We have a new EP full of his work that we are super eager to share with the world, he would’ve  been so proud.

RRX: You sing or you rap, you play guitar, play drums, what have you, you have no doubt struggled to learn music. Something probably tripped you up. What was it for each of you? What did you have to overcome (bands, pick a member)?

RJ: For me personally, it was staying on time. I feel super embarrassed to admit it, but with n0 prior music experience under my belt I struggled for a while. Now it’s easy, I just follow the drums!

RRX: Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Or so they say. Whether you’re off the wagon, on it, or never been, there’s something you got a thirst for. What are some of your basically harmless vices?

RJ: Caffeine. Nothing is better than a hot coffee to wake you up in the morning and an ice cold energy drink to keep you going in the afternoon!!

RRX: We let it out differently when we play music. The happy, sad, good and back; it can all be put out musically. Overall, do you feel better when you sing about the better times, or the worser times? Is there a difference you can describe?

RJ: I personally find it so much easier to write about the hard times. I am someone who keeps a lot inside, music is quite literally my therapy. At the end of the day it is definitely something I am working on. My goal going forward is to write some more happy songs, after all there is a lot in my life I am grateful for. The best way I can describe the difference is that it’s simple to rant about the hard stuff going on in life, but harder to rant about the good. I’m definitely up for the challenge though!