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» member profile:
violet grey
» genre:
Alternative >
Other Alternative
» location:
Michael Schinke
» label: Beau Ideal Records
» for fans of: The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Jeff Buckley, Cocteau Twins, Abandoned Pools, Joy Division, Mellowdrone, Analog Missionary, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Kitchens of Distinction, Hum, Duncan Sheik
» latest album:
"Nowhere"
10 tracks
running time 57:36:27
10 tracks
running time 57:36:27
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Violet Grey
NEWS
So here I am and here it is. The work is finished, at least as finished as these things get. I have come to the end of this particular trip. What skills I offer have been put into play and I have pushed myself as far as I can go with this group of songs.
I have allowed the record to progress on it's own, then pressured it to become something else. I have stared exhasperated at it and I have rejoiced in it's form. I have wagged my finger at it like a irate mother. I have pleaded with it like a jilted lover. I have poked and prodded, I have begged and screamed. I have kicked and pushed and taken yanked my hair out at the root.
I am confidant that this is the best record I could make. Now, I'm giving it to you.
There are certain legalities that must fall into place; binding contracts and protections given by our good ol Uncle Sam. There will be muliple venues of availibility in both physical and virtual distribution formats. There may be some performances. I'm shooting for an early September launch.
And still I look towards the future. The next record, likely a winter release, will be comprised of the material that did not get finished in time for conideration on "Nowhere", perhaps 5 - 8 songs. There will be new equipment to buy; new guitar, new amp emulator, new recording gear. All this in an attempt to make the next record sound even better than this one.
I do this because, as little as I have recieved in the ways of fame and fortune, I love making muic. The challenge is paramount. And the feedback I get from those of you who write is so wonderful, I just feel the need to keep exploring further and further.
I don't know if I'll ever be "great", but I'm not really concerned. I want to make music that I love. Hopefully, in the course of that, others will come to love it as well.
Until then keep loving, keep listening, and never stop growing.
Much Love
Michael
I have allowed the record to progress on it's own, then pressured it to become something else. I have stared exhasperated at it and I have rejoiced in it's form. I have wagged my finger at it like a irate mother. I have pleaded with it like a jilted lover. I have poked and prodded, I have begged and screamed. I have kicked and pushed and taken yanked my hair out at the root.
I am confidant that this is the best record I could make. Now, I'm giving it to you.
There are certain legalities that must fall into place; binding contracts and protections given by our good ol Uncle Sam. There will be muliple venues of availibility in both physical and virtual distribution formats. There may be some performances. I'm shooting for an early September launch.
And still I look towards the future. The next record, likely a winter release, will be comprised of the material that did not get finished in time for conideration on "Nowhere", perhaps 5 - 8 songs. There will be new equipment to buy; new guitar, new amp emulator, new recording gear. All this in an attempt to make the next record sound even better than this one.
I do this because, as little as I have recieved in the ways of fame and fortune, I love making muic. The challenge is paramount. And the feedback I get from those of you who write is so wonderful, I just feel the need to keep exploring further and further.
I don't know if I'll ever be "great", but I'm not really concerned. I want to make music that I love. Hopefully, in the course of that, others will come to love it as well.
Until then keep loving, keep listening, and never stop growing.
Much Love
Michael
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Putting a strong backbeat to songs of broken hearts and broken faith, Violet Grey bridges the gap between lyrical honesty and musical expression. Writer/performer Michal puts his own unique spin on a blend of alt. rock, post punk, and shoegaze sensibilities to create a landscape of sonic textures that soothe and excite.
Why this name?
Literally, I just sat down, listened to the music, and imagined what colors the music would be. Violet and grey are what I saw. Passion and uncertainty, the combination of what we wan't and what we are afraid to have. That's how I see it.
Do you play live?
Right now I'm not playing any shows due to the fact that, as a solo act, I don't have a band ready to go. I am hoping to change this soon, plans are in development.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It has altered peoples basic understanding of music as a product by completely devaluing the physical media normally used to convey it. This has had the effect of rendering the modern concept of the album (a couple of singles surrounded by filler) obsolete as people can now pick and choose which songs they want to have out of an entire body of work. What it should do is force both the artists and the labels to put more emphasis on the music in an attempt to create more quality product for the public. I am still enomored of the concept of the album as a complete and consistant work, but digital distribution has altered the situation so that each individual song needs to stand on it's own as well.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I might sign a dsitribution deal. As far as recording contracts go though; no, I don't think so. Bands and artists at this point are considered little more than storefront employees by the record labels, despite what lies they try to shovel. Also, the options and oppurtunities to own and produce your work are too staggering to ignore. I don't create my music or my art for anyone other than myself and the people that want to enjoy it, and certainly not so some can catalouge it like a scientific anomoly.
Band History:
Violet Grey, as an idea, has it’s genesis in the suburbs surrounding the city of Detroit, Michigan. Michael began his evolutionary trend towards Violet Grey almost 8 years ago to fill a hole he felt had formed in rock music. Taking diverse influences and distilling them into his own uniquely potent blend of laid-back rock, Violet Grey crafts songs of love lost, love squandered, and finding the strength to forgive yourself when you realize you’ve been wrong.
Your influences?
My influecnes vary from 80's art pop/proto goth bands like Cocteau Twins, Joy Division, The Cure, and The Chamealeons to 90's shoegaze/dreampop acts like My Bloody Valentine, Medicine, and Slowdive with a little bit of New Order and electronica thrown in. Recently I have been taking on more dance rock elements to give my songs a more energetic spin.
Favorite spot?
Detroit, definately Detroit. Despite it's Parisian origins, there isn't another city like it anywhere on the planet.
Equipment used:
I use an Alesis SR-16 drum module, and a Line 6 POD guitar modeler with an Epiphone Les Paul Standard and a Fender P-bass recorded into a Tascam 2488 24 bit DAW. The plan soon is to upgrade to an all virtual Line 6 studio using the Variax guitar and bass, Pod Pro XT, and BassPod Pro XT. THis will likely also become the standard live rig once I get that going.
The tracks are then mastered on a Windows machine with Sony SoundForge and CD Architect. All art and design are done on a Windows machine using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. CD inserts and labels are printed on a Canon Pixma5000 Photo printer on glossy paper.
The tracks are then mastered on a Windows machine with Sony SoundForge and CD Architect. All art and design are done on a Windows machine using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. CD inserts and labels are printed on a Canon Pixma5000 Photo printer on glossy paper.