039: Grant Gilbert

On Episode 039, we're joined by up-and-coming songwriter Grant Gilbert. During this one, we talk about growing up in the small town of Santo, Texas, moving to Lubbock, growing as a songwriter at The Blue Light, and what he has planned for his debut release.

Interview Transcript

Note: Transcripts aren’t always accurate since they are computer automated and haven’t been edited for spelling, grammar, etc.

Thomas Mooney 0:02

Everyone, welcome to episode number 39 of the new slang podcast. I'm Thomas Mooney, the editor of new slang here in Lubbock. And yeah, this is the second episode of The Week. If you didn't listen to the first episode that came out on Tuesday that was with Zach Wilkerson. This episode right here is with grant Gilbert. He's a young up and coming singer songwriter from Lubbock. And, yeah, he was on the 806, singer songwriter retreat that happened, I guess, two months ago, so month and a half ago. So we talked about that a whole lot about what he's learned from the Lubbock region. Why he came to Lubbock. And, like, really what he's trying to get to now like, what he's working on his next record and everything that goes along with that. So, yeah, that's, uh, basically what this this episode's gonna be. Just a plug I guess. If you go over to wide open country I just recently published a piece on Chris Stapleton his new record if you listen or if you read the turnpike, troubadours listeners guide that came out back in October. That's pretty much what this is. This is a listeners guide to Chris Stapleton. From a route from a room volume to it connects all the little dots between really like Volume One and Volume Two. And like the Songwriters who've Ableton and worked with on this record, and kind of like those major themes that ran through both part one and part two. And I don't know it was really interesting. really doing like a deep dive on these on stable tunes. Song catalog, because I mean, the guy has like over 100 cuts that show up on other people's records. So it was going back through there, seeing who he's written with most. So yeah, anyways, that's on wide open country. Yeah, if you don't follow me on social media, you can follow me on twitter at underscore new slang. We can talk about music and I don't know growing up in West Texas, that kind of stuff. So yeah, yeah. Here's this interview with grant Gilbert.

Yes. So would you think of going out on the 806 songwriter tree? I think we need to come up with a better name for all that stuff. But yeah, what do you think I had a blast. I

Grant Gilbert 2:51

mean, it's great getting hanging out with all those guys. And my first time to meet a bunch of you know, it says great, being in the group texts and then getting to actually meet him and get to know their personalities is a blast.

Thomas Mooney 3:02

Was there some some shell shock? I guess from like, had you met? I don't like the Fourth of July, you had said you had never met well before? And then you met him there, obviously. But then, like, had you met Josh before? Or like

Grant Gilbert 3:18

no, not not, besides, at my birthday party is just for half a second on stage. And that was all pretty blurry anyways. So it was it was really cool to get to meet those guys and meet the ones that you've looked up to for so long and be a part. Small part anyways,

Thomas Mooney 3:34

I forgot about because your birthday party was the night of Jeb. Yes. And I remember when will and Parker and them came over? We were out in the back. And they're coming to the back side. And they asked who is playing and they're like, you know, Grant's playing. Okay. And I remember him and we'll be in like, a, you know, we should do we should get on stage with him. Just Just to sing this witness figure something out. Yeah. And I didn't know they had done it like I was somewhere else. And then of course, like the next day, there's a photo and it's like, oh, well, what the fuck happened? No,

Grant Gilbert 4:10

I mean, quickly after that. I was wondering what happened to so I mean, it was a blast. And they couldn't have been nicer to me. So yeah, it's just and just going on the camping trip. Like, I remember when Ringling road came out, you know, waiting for it. And remember hearing Caroline for the first time and that's been six years ago? Probably. Maybe?

Thomas Mooney 4:30

Yeah, something like that. Maybe six, seven?

Grant Gilbert 4:32

Yeah. Right. When I was starting to really get into the Texas music thing and have interest in it. Yeah. And it was just really cool.

Thomas Mooney 4:39

Yeah. They put you on the spot right at the very beginning of the trip. Yeah. First person to play a song.

Grant Gilbert 4:44

Yeah. And I'm not like the guy, the first guy at the party to whip out the guitar, anything you know, and so I'm always kind of reluctant and they put me on the spot. I was like, dead gum. You know, I have any songs. I want to show these guys, you know? Yeah, but it was it was really cool and I had a blast in it. Yeah. kickin steaks with tongs over the fire.

Thomas Mooney 5:05

I forgot about that. That's the thing is like the the wide open country piece. They were like 900 words, no more. I think it ended up being like 1000 something like that. But there's so much shit that I had to cut out obviously. Oh, yeah. And not necessarily that I would write about you putting a stake over an open flame, a pair of tongs over a campfire? Yeah. By like, like that stuff. Like, I forgot about that. Yeah. I

Grant Gilbert 5:31

mean, I was I was in dire straits, you know, late night, but yeah, it was like, what what was the song so funny. I was playing. I was taking my steak back. There were like my hand, but

Thomas Mooney 5:42

it was cool. To see that, like, that's where? I guess like that night we were sitting around the campfire. They're passing the guitar around. And, like right behind the guitar. Is that big fool handle jack daniels? Oh, yeah. And that thing passed around probably twice as fast. I guess like a loop with the guitar was like, going once and within that one loop. There would be like three passes of jack daniels. Ah, that was a

Grant Gilbert 6:13

this circle just kept getting smaller and smaller. jack daniels too. Long is gonna hit us hard. I don't think I've ever done so many Jager bombs in my life. Yeah, those guys. But I mean, Charlie shafter. He was cracking me up the whole time. I don't know what.

Thomas Mooney 6:28

Yeah, that was a that was one of those things. Did you did you think like, Oh, shit, what? What have I gotten myself into? I mean, no, I was like, at that point. Like, we're just

Grant Gilbert 6:37

yeah, I mean, but like, it was just great. Like, everybody was nice and chill. Like I was little. I wasn't sure what to expect going into the thing being 10 years younger than most of them. But it was it was really fun. You know, they were welcoming.

Thomas Mooney 6:51

Yeah, what? Did you learn anything? Was there any thing that you just felt? Like? Did you walk away from their feeling? You know, that you that you learn something?

Grant Gilbert 7:01

Yeah, I mean, like, um, I always feel like I'm learning to write and I can't just sit down and write a bunch of songs. You know, like, I got it. I'll sit and think on one for forever. And I really enjoyed getting out with Brandon. With Ba, I mean, just sitting down and hearing his thinking process and how he does it. We never came out with a with a real song. But we sat and brainstorm. And I learned a lot just listening to him throw ideas out and how his process works.

Thomas Mooney 7:25

Yeah. And I think that that's like, the thing that probably people should be most surprised about when it comes to songwriting and co writing just is that it's not that you throw out a line, I throw out a line, you throw out a line, I throw out a line, and, you know, we're done. We figured out a song. Yeah, he's not come out, like in an hour, 30 minutes or anything, like yeah, it's like, a lot of give and take and trying to figure out what the hell you're wanting to say what the song

Grant Gilbert 7:54

like cleddau and Randall and I, we sat down and, I mean, it's kind of everybody's from kind of the opposite end of the spectrum, we could never really get anything to mesh. I mean, we threw out ideas and kind of came away with something but net them worth, you know, keeping, you know,

Thomas Mooney 8:06

yeah, that's where like I you know, I go back and forth because I don't like will, I think like everyone comes to the table on that serious about songwriting. If we can, if you can get a song out of that trip, or two songs or whatever the case is the beginnings of the song. It's worth it, but also same time, like you know, the the friendship and just like hanging out with other musicians and yeah, being able to just like get away from the the not necessarily like the nine to five of song grind and being a musician but getting away from like that schedule and be able to relax

Grant Gilbert 8:49

with Yeah, and where there's, it's kind of hard to get service and just taking a trip and getting away. I enjoyed it. I mean, just getting away from love. I mean, I love loving but like there's times you just want to get out for a while, you know, and so it was great to go out to melody Mountain Ranch and sleep on the stage on the floor in the sleeping bag, so I can't complain It was a blast.

Thomas Mooney 9:10

So I that's the thing too is like, everyone was complaining how cold it was and like, how miserable it was sleeping outside. Like slip by I was like, no just perfectly fine on myself and my tent is out. I guess like close up way far from everyone else. But yeah, I was. I was fine. I wasn't cold. I wasn't.

Grant Gilbert 9:33

By the end of the first night Charlie shafter was on the floor in the vlog is his tent blew down is what he came or what he called his tent. But chapters headquarters

Thomas Mooney 9:42

chapters, I guess chapters quarter or something like that.

Grant Gilbert 9:45

No, I enjoyed all those guys. Yeah, but and then I got to write with Josh. We came away with that song and I'm excited to get into the studio and record that so

Thomas Mooney 9:56

yeah, have you played for for your band and everything? Yeah, what else? Start What do they think?

Grant Gilbert 10:01

They really like? Yeah, I mean, we have to do some tweaking on some of the words because it came out a little bit more in pG 13. But we are going for something kind of edgy, you know, but yeah, we got it. We got dial it back just a little bit. So yeah, have you guys worked up before Ben piece of it? Or we're working on it, it's not ready to go live. But in rehearsals, we've been playing it. So yeah, as soon as we get time and hopefully get in, get Scott in to do some pre production on it. Yeah. You know, and,

Thomas Mooney 10:29

you know, last few times, I've talked with a youth spoke about, you know, like this, this upcoming record that y'all are going to do. It's gonna be with Scott Ferris. Yes. So of course, like Don flatland, and a bunch of other artists, obviously. But what was it about Scott that really just made y'all gravitate towards,

Grant Gilbert 10:48

I mean, just the, it's such a nice studio, I mean, the live room and everything, and there's great and then our drummer is Scott's right hand man and works under him. So we kind of have that connection. And, and just I really like the way he puts songs together. And he's really tries to find space within the songs and not feel like it's just stacked and stacked with, with chords or too much of one thing, like he wants to have space. And we really need that as a band. I mean, we kind of get up there and just, you know, yeah, so we need to, I don't know, up or knowledge to get us. Yeah, another word for it. But just to help us out, you know, yeah. The guidance Yeah, to help us grow as a band and as musicians and players and everything. So yeah. So that's what we're trying to do. become the best we can can be as a band live and in the studio. So yeah,

Thomas Mooney 11:35

is there going to be like a full full album? Are you guys going to go are you going for the full length?

Grant Gilbert 11:40

I got to fish out another two songs or so. But we're, I really want the full length. I know in the modern day, like, financially and everything he pees make more sense. But I really want to get the full, artistic and everything just had the honor. Well, rounded record is what I'm really going for.

Thomas Mooney 11:58

Yeah. So you know, I was one of my buddies. I guess there was like a little bit of the somebody had brought up the EP versus though fooling on Twitter the other day, one of my buddies messaged me and said, you know, that everyone thinks that the EPA is, you know, more, I guess, financially responsible, it's a little bit more easy to do. But in reality, doing a full length record is not that much more like you get more out of, I guess you get like more bang for your buck, out of doing a full day, you know what I mean? Because you're gonna be at the studio anyways. And if you're able to crank out the songs that you already, if you already have the songs ready, and if you're prepared, you're going to be able to get it done with just a little bit more time, you know.

Grant Gilbert 12:46

But I wish we could have the, the money and the ability to go in like, say, like Turnpike does and go to, you know, go to California, Carolina, wherever they go and sit for 40 days. And yeah, cuz I mean, those guys are great, in my opinion. But like, I don't know, it's us, like, for us, like, we have to take out a loan and you know, we're still pay on it for the next two years. And with the full length that helps with the longevity of it, you know, we can play those songs and adds to our set. So that's another thing I really want to do is get away from

Thomas Mooney 13:18

that, like everyone takes the folding war serious act like this on the fan base, the whatever kind of press, you know what I mean? And obviously, if you're like going to radio, you're pushing singles. So it really doesn't matter, I guess, as far as EP are full length, but any kind of like publication takes a lot more serious with a full length idea, you know? And what's the limit for the full length? Is it nine or eight? Without I honestly, it doesn't even matter. Like how many songs or nothing like that. Yeah, I've seen like full links, eight songs or like, look at like circles. last record, I think it was a nine songs. But what it What's more, to be in a full length is it's like a full idea. And of course, there's like a song EP, too, you know, but like, there maybe that's just a little bit more of a ragtag bunch of songs versus, you know, an idea of like, a concept for a record.

Grant Gilbert 14:21

Yeah. And I really appreciate when I can listen to an album all the way through and it kind of come full circle, you know, I mean, like, the EP, I can go through and it's just like that song. It's cool that but I feel like they're from everywhere. And then when it's a record, I feel like it's just comes full circle, and they all fit together better.

Thomas Mooney 14:35

Yeah, see, and the thing is, I love there's some APS out there that I love, but they all feel like they just in too quickly. And you're just like, by the time you're on like song for like you're into it and then it just ends ends and you're on like, you know, you have to hit repeat or something or whatever. But yeah, I think like the full length is the Good idea to go obviously,

Grant Gilbert 15:01

that's, that's what I would love to do. And that's what we're going to go for. If we can do I don't want to throw any, you know, just filler songs, I wanna stay away from that. But like, as long as we can get hopefully 1011 you know that one good, slow, almost acoustic track. I really want one of those, but we'll see what we can do. But we're in pre production right now and trying to get the ball rolling. So yeah, I'm excited. Well, what

Thomas Mooney 15:22

is, uh, what like, What? What is like the, I guess? Like the breakdown on the new record as far as like, have you written all this stuff? Obviously, you've got the one with you and Josh, but

Grant Gilbert 15:32

there's, there's one with Josh and I, and then I think, I think we're gonna call the title track and named the record hub city Shakedown. Okay, and that's one that three or four of us in the band have all written. And our lead guitar player, Morgan, he's he had a really heavy hand in that one. And he had like, the riff and everything, and it's, and it's turned out really nice. And we've done the pre production for that one, and it's pretty much ready to go. But, uh, and it's kind of the end of the show. have, you know, yeah, I've seen it. But yeah, I'm excited to get that out. And really, I don't know, just kind of have the hub city type feel to it. Yeah. based. It kind of has the feel of like the 1930s 40s. Yeah, he's kind of want to go with that for the whole record, in a way, like a theme top thing. Yeah.

Thomas Mooney 16:20

You know, you're, that's one of those things. Okay. I'll backtrack, I guess is like, everyone always asks me, well, who's like, Who's the next people who are coming out of Lubbock? And you know, what, typically, my answer is like, why don't I don't know. I mean, like, I don't want to say somebody and then like that person, just not paying, or whatever, you know. And it's also something that I think a lot of people always go well, I don't know if like love is gonna deliver again, kind of thing because I guess like, after will and like, kind of a mirror. Now like Brandon Adams, kind of that bunch. Like he was kind of a break between, like the next people coming up, and of course, then now, it's dumb to think because it's like, oh, well, flatland. Dawn. Yeah, Randall. bitten Leachman. Like that bunch, right. Um, during that next class, like, what is uh, what's been like song songwriter night to you and like, what have you do you think like, you have like, some contemporaries that are coming up with you. I

Grant Gilbert 17:27

mean, yeah, I really, I really enjoy like a lot of the girls from South Plains. I think they're really doing it doing well, like kyna. Danielle, and working Radford and also doing playing guitar for us. He's writing some really good songs. And he's about start recording his EP, I think he's kind of the wheels. He's waiting on the wheels to turn like, everything's ready. The pre production is done. You just have to go record and I mean, he's writing really good songs. Yes. Like,

Thomas Mooney 17:52

is he gonna do it with Scott as well? Or what's his? Yes.

Grant Gilbert 17:56

Yeah, he was gonna go with Scott before we were okay. And then it all just kind of fell into place. And, you know, it all happens, but he's really read some good ones. Yeah. In my opinion.

Thomas Mooney 18:05

Yeah. Does he have like the since he also plays guitar like lead guitar, or? I don't know if you guys have like dual lead or guys technically, technically. Yeah. But does he have like the this you have? Like the, the two brains like we're like, he's thinking like lead guitar stuff. And then also, songwriter, lyricism? And I mean, whatnot.

Grant Gilbert 18:27

Yeah. I mean, he's, I think he's more of the songwriter thought, like, I think that's going on his head a lot more than lead guitar. I mean, because, I mean, I would rather sit down and write songs and play those in, you know, play just guitar and I kind of think he does that. But, I mean, right now. I guess he enjoys doing what we're doing. So we're sticking it out, and hopefully has some good things in the works in the next should know, in the next week, some. So, yeah, so I'm excited. And I think Dylan's gonna do really good things. Yeah. So yeah, stick with it.

Thomas Mooney 19:00

So how do you break this? Let's get back to the 806 thing, though. Okay, how'd you break it to like your, your buddies and like, dudes in the band?

Grant Gilbert 19:08

Yeah. Well, we play with will. And then at the fourth on Broadway thing. And then I was up in Colorado on vacation, like we left the next day. And I was sitting in this little diner in Durango eating breakfast, like eating my hashbrowns or whatever, and I get a DM from will I'm like, What was he? Yeah. And then I read it. He said, he texted me and I was like, okay, and I just sent that to him. And I was like that count, you know? Yeah. And then he added me to the group texts. And as they start is really cool. Just to like, I don't know, we, we played blue light and worked hard. And I mean, we've, we've only been up here for two, two years or so three to three. And we've been working hard and playing shows. I mean, it's paying off a little bit, you know, yeah, I don't know what what you'd call paying off. You know, it feels like it's getting better. Yeah, it's hard to tell from the inside out sometimes.

Thomas Mooney 19:59

Yeah. That's, I think, like, that's one of those things where, no matter when you're in the moment when you're in the, it's not until years later that you realize, Oh, well, things actually were getting better. Like, you see the progress, you know? You know, and obviously, you guys have been doing the work, because I remember like, y'all, I remember the first songwriter competition that you signed up with, you know, I don't even know if you made it. I didn't. The first time like, and I feel like that's a lot of people have done that, you know, where, of course you see some people who just for me, I didn't make it, or not even necessarily that but like, just stop playing, you know? Stop going to Monday nights, or whatever the case is, but

Grant Gilbert 20:44

and see, like some people I've dealt, like, text me and be like, I can't get gigs or whatever and like, are How are, why aren't Why is this not working? Like we? I remember, I had a spiral on every been year or anything in Lubbock I had written down and just willing to play for anything for free or whatever. And then we would get a gig here. And then that would lead to another one. And that's and then it just kind of started rolling. And we come to songwriter night, and they gave us I think the first time we played was a Sunday. And then about a year, year and a half ago, last October. We played a Tuesday for like 15 people. Yeah. And then we played it one more time for another 15 people. And then our album came out. And we put it we put a few in and then a couple times after that it's been been good crowds. So

Thomas Mooney 21:33

yeah, that's the thing is like I always tell people was, you know, you have to, you really have to start on Monday, then you graduate to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and like, what your plan should be, is like, you know, you want to work all the way down the week, and then hopefully work back across the week. Because like, that means you're you've been able to pull in people on Tuesday, you know, exactly

Grant Gilbert 21:56

in like when it works for your routing eventually, you know, oh, by Tuesday, so you know, but I mean, got a long ways to go. But But yeah, I mean, we just have just gone to work and Chad to talk to anybody that'll listen to us or give us a chance and if we get an opportunity to make the most of it every time.

Thomas Mooney 22:14

Yeah. So of course like you You guys have been every it seems like every weekend y'all are out on the road now.

Grant Gilbert 22:20

And that's that's all US booking right now. And it's well, it's starting to move away. So like, supposed to go up. Get some things worked out soon. So

Thomas Mooney 22:31

yeah, excited about that. How was a Cody Canada last night? It was great in Amarillo.

Grant Gilbert 22:36

Yeah, we didn't get to me and I in there on the bus. And then I hoots. It's just a really small, sad state. So we try to get our stuff out and cleared out of there. But uh, I mean, we've been playing, we played with the stragglers two weeks ago and just kind of been getting some good support slots. And those do a lot for us. I mean, yeah, just helping us get in front of people, like, like Dalton a few months ago, gave us a good spot and jenko you know, after Wade Bowen, and that was and then after that, we just kept a good crowd here since then. And that's, that does a ton for us. Dalton's helped us out a lot. Randall has just the God's given us a shot, you know. Yeah. And I can't thank them enough. And like if we ever get to the stage, where we could do the same? I mean, you know,

Thomas Mooney 23:18

yeah. So I think that goes back to just the 806. Like, camaraderie thing. Yeah.

Grant Gilbert 23:23

Yeah. And if you feel like you're supposed to, like you have a duty to write the best songs you can you don't want to throw out anything bad. Because you want to represent luck, the best you can, you know, and carry the torch, as I say sometimes. Well, I

Thomas Mooney 23:37

think like, it's important to write the best songs possible. And never kind of like, I don't know, sell yourself short. I won't say like, sell out. But I'll say like, sell yourself short yet sing that for the rest of your life. If you Yeah, that long. You know, then also, it's important to remember the people that, you know, reach down and help you pull you up. Yeah, to like, return the favor.

Grant Gilbert 24:01

I mean, yeah, just remember where you come from more than anything, you know? Yeah. But it shows me remember who you belong to. Oh, my God. Okay.

Thomas Mooney 24:08

Yeah. Yes, sir. Yeah. See, that's like, that's good parenting, ya know, and don't get Bobby rayson and stuff like that. And he says, school superintendent, my

Grant Gilbert 24:17

mom's a high school counselor. So like, they like I had to be on my best behavior to a certain degree, you know, yeah, you better go to town, if you don't, what are they? What do they think about all this? There's, they're really supportive. But um, I mean, it's like, they're supportive, but it's all it's like, it's like, it's your baby, just get out of school, just graduate and then do whatever you want, you know,

Thomas Mooney 24:41

but it's still like, we're supporting you on this, but it's still like the second most important part, basically,

Grant Gilbert 24:48

yeah, I mean, they'll, they'll come to some shows they've come up to blue once or twice, I think and I think coming up to cafaro next week, but um, they support and but uh, but like the financial thing like we have to take home Like, that's all? Yeah. So I think it's worth it. I mean, you have to earn it. Yeah.

Thomas Mooney 25:05

I mean, that's one of the things is like no one. Like even the best band, or the bands that you think are the greatest bands. They've all been in this position to, like no one, you know, played a show. And then very rarely do people play shows where there's an a&r guy in the crowd, and he says, that doesn't happen. Yeah, that's not necessarily the Yeah, track for most people. I mean, yeah, I don't

Grant Gilbert 25:29

know, if there is such thing as an overnight success. Really? I mean, kind of, not really.

Thomas Mooney 25:33

I mean, like, I think, like, even even the overnight success, there's probably been a shit ton of fucking work put in.

Grant Gilbert 25:40

Yeah, you gotta, it's not gonna happen. If you're not putting in the work. Like, I was talking to somebody the other day. And I remember back two or three years ago, we would play eight to 12 in the worse bar that would go. And we would do that. And we had to set up our own pa and, you know, now, when you have a good show, you really appreciate it. And then from setting up, say, Your PA or something, you know how to work and talk to a sound guy that's working, you know? Yeah, so you learned the hard way. But it's necessary, honestly.

Thomas Mooney 26:12

Yeah. So that's interesting, too, is like, like the, the podcast that we did with Wade. He was talking about back in the day, how really Southern that put him, you know, a step ahead of other folks was just having his own PA, because like, back then, that no places had fucking MBAs.

Grant Gilbert 26:33

We used to get gigs back around the Fort Worth area. We now when we we got

Thomas Mooney 26:38

like, even like a place like blue light. You said, like, when they I guess, like pre blue light, early, early blue light, you know, that kind of stuff? bars that you would think that would have pa stuff? Didn't? And so like having that. Just open so many extra doors? Yeah.

Grant Gilbert 26:56

And I remember starting out, we'd play somewhere. And they'd be like, yeah, we have PA, we'd like you'd want to bring your own. You know, even though they had a speaker, you know? Yeah. So I mean, scared to get out of that eventually. But it's good. It's good for you, in my opinion. Yeah. But we still have a lot of honor. They're like, now I got to hit the road. I mean, now we have to get out and go play the shows three nights a week, four nights a week. So that's kind of our next step. Yeah. And then getting ready to record and put out any record with anything. So I don't know. I told myself I want to only do my goal for the last record was to be able to record another one. Yeah. Now we're still still here. So so going strong.

Yeah. No one told you to stop. Yeah, no, no. Okay. That's enough. Yeah, exactly. That's like a I had this joke about. Like, the Encore, like everyone always thinks that like, when people start chanting one more song. It's a great thing. But it's like, it's that's just relative. It depends on when they start chanting. That is a good. You could be like, two songs in your set. And then you're like, just one more? No, one more song. And it's obviously Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, so you're super young? Yeah. What did you I guess, like, How were you introduced to, I guess, music on a regional level? Like what was your first time you you listen to somebody that you know that you could go and see? Yeah, um, I guess the first time that I ever got the first person that really got me any music was my parents were big Jerry, Jeff Walker fans, like Jerry Jeff Walker, you know, and our first concert was Jerry Jeff Green Hall. Yeah. And he was and I was like, I just remember watching. I was like, I could I could do that. And how old were you? Nine, yeah, eight, nine. And they put me in guitar lessons. You know, I quit. You know, I was like, This is too hard. I don't I don't like it. And so I quit and then and then just kind of got back into it one day and they put me I got some lessons again, but I just say what the very longest you started teaching myself. And then I didn't know that the Texas country regional Oklahoma thing existed. All I knew was a Jerry Jeff a Gary p none. Or like Faron young and Johnny bush. Classic shuffle bs stuff. And then I was I was hearing all my friends talk about the Texas music and I was like, that's just bad. Like I didn't think it was good because like what I had heard, I didn't like because it wasn't like that. And then I started digging in and the live at Billy Bob's albums. really got me going. Oh, yeah, what it was about and like the Jason bones and the Stoney lil Roos and all that stuff really just got me and the live of green Hall was Jay Jeff. Yeah, so those those Live albums really got me going. Yeah, I think that's like something that when you're when you're I guess like growing up in the Like that 16 to 20 age. You're so young that sometimes you're not able to appreciate like the record record. And so, obviously, you're too young to go to a show to a bar. And for some reason, like those live records are like gateway records. Yeah, you can feel the there's Well, yeah, that, I guess like, what it is, is like, you can feel the energy and there's like this raw emotion that that's easier to understand. Then maybe like, highbrow lyricism? You know what I mean? Because I have, so there's so many people I've talked with, who have all mentioned, you know, live records, that's like one of those things like will was saying how, why the main reason he will one of the main reasons why he wanted to do that live record at greenhouse because records he had heard from green Hall. Yeah, exactly.

That's one of my goals, like one day to be able to record a live record, you know, yeah. Hopefully. Yeah. Wait, tells us to create, you know, yeah, that's,

Thomas Mooney 31:07

that's like, I think like the, the live album is maybe like the it's been underutilized in music and a lot of ways. I mean, like, obviously, we just said, you know, Billy Bob's green. Oh, there's a lot of records like that. But as far as Live albums go, there's sometimes like the, there's I think there's more ways to do a live album, there's more export exploration, then just doing your regular set. You know, we're like, there's a really great record where it's Steve Earle and guy Clark, and Townes. Van Zandt, whether it's a verse or songs weapon at the bluebird cafe, like, you know, obviously, that's acoustic and I think like, that's a great idea. I love the idea of say, like a band like American aquarium, or we'll just a big rock and roll band. Yeah, but then like them stripping away everything and just doing a an acoustic live record. You know what I mean? Yeah.

Grant Gilbert 32:10

I don't know. You can just feel it to me more. Yeah. And that's what that's I don't know, Oh, you don't want to play music with no emotion? And you know, and that's why some of those songs they just bounce. I mean, I'm listen to a lot of stuff just because I want to feel I want to feel like I'm there. Yeah, you know, but I mean, yeah, it was those lab albums that got me into it. And then I don't know if I enjoyed listening to records. I don't even think I had a record player then. But I for my birthday. I got like some Boston records. Yeah. This is the old stuff for my parents. And seems like Boston's first record is like one of the best records ever. Yes, I was looking through it. And it had like the hits like, like the first four songs or like more than a feeling and yeah,

Thomas Mooney 32:54

don't look back, I think, is that was that on the second one? I don't maybe the second one, but like, yeah, this is like smoking. Rabanne

Grant Gilbert 33:02

took the first five tracks. Oh, gosh. Yeah. Yeah. Was it what it feels like to make a record like that today? Yeah.

Thomas Mooney 33:09

See, that cat record is so fucking good. It really is. And it's, it's underrated. And I think like, a lot of people misunderstand Boston, because they did like the power ballad Amanda in the later 80s. And people thought of being kind of cheesy. See, I missed out on I feel like I missed out on some of the 80s music. Yeah, I really did. What I missed out to you.

Grant Gilbert 33:32

Yeah, I just haven't. I guess I missed out haven't dug into. Like, I'm a lot more familiar with, like, the, like, the border runs in the born in the I mean, that was born in the sadc. Oh, yeah. That's 84. Okay. And the green Easter met, like I love the Springsteen stuff.

Thomas Mooney 33:48

Yeah, see the Springsteen stuff, too. That's like all over the map as far as yours. And that's like that, to me. Like maybe the more than anything else, the hardest thing to try and must not necessarily comprehend but like to, I guess figure out is how, like, time before you were born, or like time before you were you think about time, and like trying to figure out when records came out. Because like I think like one of the hardest things to do is like right now. If you were just introduced the Springsteen, you're kind of like introduced to everything that he ever had at one time. So like everything from 73 or so 32 or whatever his first record is to now is kind of like in one lump sum, you know, versus like, getting it. Like what out someone's time or you know what I mean? Yeah, so like, there's a lot of ways there's like no difference between born in the USA and Born to Run. You know what I mean? Yeah, and like that's something I've had a hard time trying to always grasp is Figuring out the time thing because there's so many bands like that, like, Zeppelin Beatles, even guy like guy Clark. It's hard to, like, figure out all the time between records, if you will. Yeah. I mean,

Grant Gilbert 35:16

I really, like when I hear like records. I want to know who they were then like, I want to Yeah. Like, you know, see them then then to now and I want to know what their life was like, then you know, cuz I guess that's kind of those records are kind of the chapter of that part of their life. But I really want to, like, I don't know, even like, I watch. See, there's so much I look up some of those little guys like I watch videos of like will in the dangerous man and yeah, Caroline de air that misunderstood and watching the old videos at blue light or

Thomas Mooney 35:46

wherever. Yeah, like there's like a I know, there's a few channels of like old blue eye videos. And I'm talking like, of like Ryan being a monster

Grant Gilbert 35:58

and like back before they had the curtains in the back and yeah, yeah.

Thomas Mooney 36:02

Well, for anything was painted in any of that kind of stuff. And they're like, there's some like old Jonathan Tyler videos. where like, No one's here kind of thing. Yeah, yeah.

Grant Gilbert 36:12

I don't mean squared the artists have grown with. Yeah, the thing. Yeah. So but I mean, even before I moved here, I never planned on. I didn't like plan to come to Lubbock to play music. That was it was just kind of, I knew I wanted to go to Texas Tech, because my dad went there. And, and just so happened, I started playing music and kind of it was kind of a great little atmosphere with the school. I mean, it's just great. You know? Yeah, I don't know what it is. It's just something unique about this area. And I guess just it's so remote in a way. Yeah. I don't know. It's Yeah, I love it.

Thomas Mooney 36:47

Well, I was selling. Let's enter. Interesting that you'd come here. I think a lot of people come obviously, just for tech, and like, kind of fall into music. I think like, that's what like kind of more the traditional route of people coming up here, like Pat green. I don't think like Pat green was absolutely like, Oh, I'm gonna go and start playing music up there. Or like, even like, wait, I think like it was just a, a education. decision. And then they fell into music. Yeah. But I don't like Cueto. It affected. His decision to come up here, really, because he had seen like, Josh had been with Clark green and all these other guys kind of have success and come out of here. Yeah, yeah. I mean, and so obviously, he came for school to like, it did have like a little bit of an impact. Yeah. Why he came over here. And even like Dalton Dalton moved here, because he had seen people play music. You know, I didn't know that. Yeah. And so like, I think there is something I think that's a new thing, honestly, coming into play, because I honestly, like it's, we're at least, like, thrown in, coming up here to maybe take advantage of being able to possibly play music because obviously nothing. It's not like you can move up here and then no part of the group and, you know, you're gonna have success right off the bat or something, you know, it's Yeah, and that's obviously anywhere. But,

Grant Gilbert 38:13

I mean, that's the way it was, like, we I knew I wanted to come to tech and then Dylan and I were playing around Fort Worth in Santa. I mean, there's nowhere to play in Santo, you know, there's, but we play every taco shop or whatever we could get in and, and then that kind of started going on and we have a little we'd have some band gigs. You know, we play boxes, Steven bill or wherever. And then, then I guess we moved off and those guys stayed, but three, Dillon and Morgan also came up here. And Morgan's a year younger and it just it's kind of fun together. Luckily. I don't know. I'm always scared. I don't know. I'm paranoid about things always. But like I'm always like, what if? What if things go wrong? Like what if I can't write enough? I worry, I might never write another song again. You know? Yeah, I worry about that. I don't know why. But yeah. Weird like that.

Thomas Mooney 39:07

I guess. Just irrationally paranoid about stuff. Yeah. Yeah. I can get that because like I I mean, I'm, I think everyone honestly has irrational fears. Just like in the just dumb stuff. Yeah. I don't know. I mean, I just I was gonna be like, here's one of my irrational fears. And then I was gonna be that I decided now.

Grant Gilbert 39:33

But yeah, I just enjoy doing it. And if I'm really bad about it, if, if I'm not crazy about it, I don't care. Like Yeah, I'm not gonna give it you know. I mean, that might be me being lazy. I don't know. But like, if it's writing songs and getting out and playing shows, it's like, it's all I can think about about obsess over it. So I don't know what the deal is.

Thomas Mooney 39:56

Yeah, I mean, I think like that's, I have a Where I get insanely and ridiculously passionate about something, and then that's all I do for a while, you know what I mean? And I think that's something like it has to be, you know, heart crazy, but I think a lot of musicians are like that, or a lot of artists in general, not I'm not even gonna say I'm an artist, but, you know, a lot of artists get crazy like that, where they become obsessive about something, and it's what drives them. You know, I guess that's what I was saying to about. You were like saying, you know, the isolation up here, I was talking with Dalton about that in you know, moving up here, like the music scene up here. The isolation is a big part. And he kind of just, like, kind of being beautiful, and also kind of being ugly. Yeah. And this is weird mixture up here. And obviously, the the music scene and all that kind of stuff. But what I told him too, is like, the under the underrated thing that makes loving music is the spy. And it's the being told that you shouldn't do this. Or like, you can't do this. You know, and I think that there's something to wear. Especially back in the day, a lot of people like looked at you from from being from Lubbock, like in this, like, novelty kind of way, like, Oh my god, you're from Lubbock. You survived out there. Yeah, like still ride horses still ride horses? Um, yeah, like, you know, there's just the just dust in the air all the time is it just, like blocked out the sun? And the there's a church on every corner. And there's, you know, and

Grant Gilbert 41:45

people talk bad about the weather. And I'm like, it's not humid here. This is nice, you know? Yeah.

Thomas Mooney 41:49

But like, used to be way worse. You know, he didn't love it. You know what I mean? As far as just like, how conservative was and how low it used to be a smaller town. You know what I mean? Like it hell, it's grown so much, probably even since you've been out here. But it used to be way smaller, more conservative. And think about this, like 10 years ago, he used to be dry, used to be like a dry city. And he would have to like, either just go to the bar or go and buy that on the strip or like in outside of just outside the city limits, kind of so and that's what's crazy, I think.

Grant Gilbert 42:27

And I was I kind of have a weird interest in the DRI thing. Like, I want to get to know like the hub city Shakedown, like kind of Shakedown and like, I really want to kind of know the story. Like, I used to hear stories about like, domaines brothers playing out on the strip, because people could go, Yeah, and I really want to get learn, get into that and learn about it and possibly write about it. I don't know why, but I just want to know, yeah, cuz I've gotten to meet a few of the mains, and they're just, they've just been the nicest people. Yeah,

Thomas Mooney 42:54

I know that history. Well, that's the thing too, is I was I was gonna say is like all the Olympic guys. Like, they're super approachable. And there, you can, you know, you can email him or, like, if you just see him around town. Yeah, talk to him. And like, anytime, like I've needed any. Anything to speak about, you know, or like, interview him. It's been the best, you know what I mean? As far as just like them, being able to talk with you. Because I think like, that's something too is like, back then. There was actually like people who didn't want them to play or like thought they were crazy for playing and stuff like that. And so now it's, it's only now that they're, they're finally getting a lot of the respect. You know, if you look like Terry Allen's look on everything in Juarez, they were reissued, just like it's like last year. And of course, like that gave him such a like, it was people finally given a shit about his music, you know, to me, I think like he really appreciated

Grant Gilbert 43:57

when that came out, did it have a real impact or anything at the time?

Thomas Mooney 44:01

Um, it had an impact in the way it was like in Rolling Stone, you know, and it was like, just kind of artists kind of knew about it. And like, if you're like, really into like singer song, or if you're in a song granting, you don't mean but he wasn't like, if you think of like, when it came out, it was 79 when luck on everything came out. So that is totally like, what, what country music probably was gonna be like, like the Don Williams top. Yeah, in a way, but it's, I guess, like, overall, you think about it, too, is like, that's a disco era. So like that disco era had a impact on country, I would say like, it's more in the vein of like, Ronnie milsap. Okay, you mean where it's like? It's kind of like what it is today where like, it's not country really. Yeah, you know, but everyone looks back and be like, Ronnie milsap he's fucking awesome. It's like, Yeah, Yeah, he is. But that wasn't continued. Yeah. Yeah, so I I think like and of course, like people around here you go around, ask people about who Terry Allen is. A lot of people are gonna be like, Who who are you talking about? Yeah, I

Grant Gilbert 45:07

do. And I hear a lot of artists in our scene, especially talking about that album. Yeah. And the war as and everything like that. Yeah, I don't know. I hear people have a lot of respect. Yeah, for that. And I've listened. I've listened to him. But I haven't just dug in and listened to him front to back. I know the Amarillo hallways. Yeah, but I need to dig in.

Thomas Mooney 45:26

Yeah, I think it's one of those records, honestly, that like, you're not going to get the first couple times you listen, Carrie, you have to sit there and listen, and you have to kind of like, honestly, like, I don't want to be like, you know, saying, Oh, you got to live here to understand it. But I think that living around in West Texas gives you a little bit more insight on some of the stuff or like, you know, just getting older you think like, Oh, I get that now. Okay, like, Oh, I never really thought about that. You know what I mean? It's just stuff like that, that you kind of, yeah.

Grant Gilbert 46:03

I've enjoyed, like getting to know Lubbock and like the people and like, I really I'm in the ag college, you know, just trying to get through, you know, and I've met a lot of kids that are from the smaller towns from around here. And I've kind of gotten to know that lifestyle. Yeah. And know how though they've grown up and it's really cool. They're the nicest people, you know, and, and Lubbock coming from a small town. And coming here when people live in 300 300 400, maybe, maybe four? Oh, no. 399 now. Yeah, it's, it's been a great adjustment, you know, not feeling too overwhelmed. Like, I haven't spent a whole lot of time in like Austin and places like that. But I just feel like I'd be fish out of the water. Yeah. So

Thomas Mooney 46:49

yeah, it is weird. Like, like going down to Austin, seeing how much has changed over the years. Because, I mean, like, even people, it's changed so much since like, the 90s and stuff like that. And it's not like I was hanging out in the 90s. Yeah, but people back then talking about how much of a small town It was, like in the 80s. Like it was, especially like during the 70s. Like whenever Willie moved back down there. It was more of a small town. And I kind of feel like that's what maybe Lubbock is right now where it's small enough where you can drive around and get around the loop pretty quick. Yeah, the only thing right now is like Marcia sharp is tour and the traffic on 19th. Yeah. Are they road work to put brakes on the road? Yeah. All of the all the? I don't know. I feel like I, the one thing I will complain about the marsh sharp stuff is like, why didn't they make it three lanes to begin with? You know what? I mean? You had to have seen that.

Grant Gilbert 47:43

I mean, you need a good plan for growth. But yeah, I guess sometimes hindsight is 2020. But yeah, I don't know. I don't get it. Yeah, I don't know how they make roads anyways. But, uh, I don't know. I really I love it. I mean, I could I would definitely want to live here for a while. Yeah. I don't know. I don't plan on moving any like, yeah, next long time. I mean, when I graduate, I don't plan on going anywhere.

Thomas Mooney 48:06

Yeah. So that's kind of I think like flatlands kind of had that good idea to have like, Hey, we don't have to move stick around for a while. Yeah. And, you know, it makes sense to just,

Grant Gilbert 48:17

I mean, maybe eventually, like, moved forward, you know? Yeah. I mean, you're right on I 35. And 20. You know, but yeah, like for a while. Get away. You.

Thomas Mooney 48:26

I think you live in Lubbock, as long as you can. And then when you move away when it makes sense. You know what I mean? Yeah. When, when it makes sense to on the routing aspect of like, when you're

Grant Gilbert 48:42

when you got people having to drive eight hours to bus van call or bus call or whatever. Yeah. So yeah, I mean, yeah, I get that. So I mean, and then you, you have to play it. Unless you're playing Amarillo. You have to drive? Yeah, five hours. At least every show, you know?

Thomas Mooney 48:56

Yeah. Have y'all played down in Midland? Odessa? Yeah. How is that like, compared to here? Or?

Grant Gilbert 49:04

I feel? I feel like the people are different. They're a lot more. It's pretty blue color down there. You know? Yeah. But I mean, I think it's like a rougher blue collar though. Right? Yeah. 100% but they're, they're fun. They come for a good time. Like when they show up. They're ready to Yeah, right. Ready to have some beers and have a good time. You

Thomas Mooney 49:22

know, but see, like I'm from Fort Stockton, so that's further south than Midland, Odessa. And that's what I was. I've always told people is like, yeah, Lubbock is West Texas. And like fort Stockton is West Texas. But there is a heartbreak somewhere between Odessa and Andrews and like Midland lamesa kind of you know what I mean? Yeah, there's a heartbreak between the people and they may all be like blue collar, but I think that maybe farming has like up here is not gonna say easier. Yeah. But it's like it's mellowed out people. At home grown because like if you're rough necking out there I think like you're just getting gotta be like a fucking harder person. Yeah, you gotta like Yeah. But yeah, I think like that that affects like the crowd obviously like,

Grant Gilbert 50:13

yeah, I mean I always enjoy playing midlane I mean it's I don't know why I like I joined Midland every time we have a good time down there but it's definitely a different crowd but we we get along with them I guess yeah so far anyways yeah

Thomas Mooney 50:27

I think like Midland Odessa like it's one of those where you need to talk with Danny sodre like Michael mode about as far as just like being rough places. They had some stories from Yeah, well, like they're both from there. Okay. Yeah. They're both from Odessa. I know Danny like I think he, I guess he knew Dan juice at some point. But yeah, Odessa, so that's why they're maybe a little crazier. Yeah. And the rest of us,

Grant Gilbert 50:56

but I haven't spent a whole lot only time I've only been in the times where we're in town playing I've never gone to sightsee or anything Oh, there's no. Yeah, there's no real sightseeing. But I mean, I do love the sunsets and my sex. I mean, I know it's cliche, everything but like, yeah, that's the best part. Honestly. Yeah. But and the one thing we live in like a smaller little in the street, like slide and it No, but I do kind of miss kind of seeing like the planes. Yeah, so that's kind of my thing and watching the leaves change, but there's not a whole lot of leaves to watch around here. Yeah, but yeah, I love it. Yeah, yeah, I

Thomas Mooney 51:37

live in town too. And, like I've been wanting to like move further outside of town, you know, and kind of get away from the hustle and bustle. Yeah. Honestly, just like buildings in the way you know what I mean? We just like come on. But then

Grant Gilbert 51:53

again, it's sometimes it's really convenient when you want that water burger.

Thomas Mooney 51:58

Yeah, well, the thing that's okay. That's one of the little things I've not really talked about on any of this stuff. I don't understand. That's one of my complaints about Lubbock is that at night? I there's there's for late night food. I mean, I feel like it's a missed opportunity by some restaurant or just some cook or somebody to bank on being open from like eight to eight yeah APM date

Grant Gilbert 52:26

I agree because the college not life you know they're always can't go to water burger at one in the morning without an wait.

Thomas Mooney 52:32

Yeah, and lots of somewhere else fucking it's a circus. Yeah, exactly. I got police in there Denny's and like, I hope those are services. I mean,

Grant Gilbert 52:43

if somebody ever tells me you quit playing he's come put taco costs in Lubbock. I've already decided that.

Thomas Mooney 52:49

Yeah, would you have anything to play? You want to play something? Yeah,

Grant Gilbert 52:53

I play when we wrote on that retreat or something or some off the new record either one

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