By: Emma Higgins
Emma: Do you mind Introducing yourselves and what you play in the band?
Jim: I’m Jim, I play bass.
Blake: I’m Blake, I play drums.
Grant: I’m Grant and I play guitar and sing.
Emma: And then my first question is, what inspired the name of your new album?
Grant: We were stranded in Darian, Georgia, a little outside of Savannah, and we were in a KFC, and we were talking about we were just posted not doing anything. And, somebody had joked, like to pass the time, like we could hold up a sign that says free help. And it kind of spoke to me in a way that just, that’s all that music sometimes is. It’s free help.
Emma: I really appreciate that response. And I think that’s like a really cool thing that you were inspired by something, even though it was sort of an unfortunate event you put yourself in. My next question is, what are you looking forward to most with your upcoming shows?
Jim: Well, we’re done as of right now, so we’re going to go home, and I’m looking forward to making time to relax. I’m looking forward to our homecoming show.
Emma: Wow. I didn’t realize this is actually your last one. And my last question is specifically for you (Blake). Because I’m a former drummer, what advice can you give to younger aspiring musicians?
Blake: Drummers specifically? Practice a lot and play to your favorite songs. I mean, I learned how to play drums from playing “Garage Band”. You know, like, I feel like drumming is, like just an expression of self. Like you don’t have to be technically good to be a good drummer. You just got to be cool.
Emma: That’s very true. I don’t think I’ve ever met a drummer that isn’t really cool or super inspiring in some way, because it is such an expressive art form.
(The boys embrace)
Jim: Blake inspires me everyday to be better, I love my homies.
Emma: You guys are like the definition of besties, I love it. Is there anything else you’d like to say to our listeners in Chicago or your hometown folks?
Grant: Shout out Chicago! Shout out Minneapolis. Shout out Dylan, Chaz and Boman for being on tour with us. Shout out Jim and shout out Blake and shout out you for doing this interview. Thanks for the time.
Emma: Thank you very much, guys!
