How dedicated? Consider the following: when Minneapolis quartet Tapes 'n' Tapes first launched to national popularity in early 2006 behind a tidal wave of Internet buzz praising its album "The Loon," Grier held down a day job as a data analyst at a health benefits-administration company.
Now, two years later, after appearances on late night network television, a slew of sold-out tour dates and fawning close-ups in Rolling Stone, how does Grier spend his days? Oh, that’s right, still working as a data analyst (like we said, dude is dedicated to keeping it real).
This month, T 'n' T unleashes another stick of rock 'n' roll dynamite in the form of "Walk It Off." They’ve polished and beefed up their sound (thanks to producer David Fridmann, the man behind some legendary Flaming Lips records) without sacrificing their ragged charm.
Those who fell in love with Grier’s biting vocal delivery and his band’s full throttle attack will certainly be happy—but don’t be surprised if the album vaults T ‘n’ T from “hip twentysomethings” famous to “Billboard charting, Grammy-grabbing” famous.
Josh Grier talked to us (off the clock from the data entry job, of course) about the new Tapes 'n' Tapes record, "Walk It Off."
I imagine the release week for "The Loon" back in the fall of 2005 was a little bit different than your release week for "Walk It Off," since you’re talking to me from a New York City hotel room and about to play "Late Night With Conan O’Brien" this week. Can you do a little compare and contrast for me?
Sure, let’s see…the last time, I remember I went down to [Twin Cities CD production factory] Copy Cats on my lunch break and filled up the back of my car with discs, which I had to leave sitting in there all afternoon while I was at work, then we played a show at the Turf Club. This time we got up at 5 a.m. and flew to Newark and are playing a Virgin Megastore concert in Times Square in a couple of hours. It’s definitely a weird change, but I guess both weeks were kind of hectic in their own way.
It’s been a little over two years since "The Loon" broke really big nationally. Does the level of attention feel normal yet or is it still kind of a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming moment that doesn’t come to an end?
I think more the latter. I don’t know that it will ever feel normal. It’s more like I accept what goes on now and realize it’s happening and I am just trying to enjoy it. I certainly never expected to have the successes we’ve had.
Is it true you’ve still kept your day job as a data analyst? Anything in particular drive that decision?
One, I really enjoy it and like the people I work with. The other thing is that it’s something normal to come home to. Being on tour is not a normal way to live; it’s kind of weird. I like to come home and have some normalcy.
Were there any cases of writer's block when it came time to make the follow-up for "The Loon"? I imagine it’s strange to go from creating for a small hypothetical audience to knowing there’s a large group of people out there waiting to judge what you came up with next.
For the most part the pressure was internal. It was actually similar to when we were recording "The Loon"; all of us just wanted to make something we could be excited about and proud of. As far as songwriting goes, we had basically been on tour for 18 months and I can’t write on tour, so I was really excited to start writing again to try and capture the ideas that would come and go on the road. When we got home it wasn't like, "Oh no, now I have the pressure to follow up this record people like." It was more like. "Oh great, we can finally do something new!"
One of the things I think people respond to about Tapes ‘n’ Tapes is that it sounds like a band. The rhythm section grabs just as much of the spotlight as your voice and guitar. Why does this kind of power-sharing band structure appeal to you?
I’m drawn to bands where there’s a lot going on, where every part means something, I like having melodies in the bass line and I enjoy the interplay of different instruments. Jeremy [Hanson] is an amazing drummer and Erik [Appelwick] is a great bassist, I like how all of us play off each other. If I was into the solo songwriter thing than I would be making Josh Grier records instead of Tapes ‘n’ Tapes records . [Laughs]
Does the band still talk about things like goals or is that moot since you’ve had more success than you ever anticipated?
I try and enjoy whatever we’re doing at the moment. Even getting to put this record out, being able to tour like we are—all of that is way beyond anything I ever imagined doing. It’s pretty much all gravy now; we’re just going to continue working hard and having fun.
