Q&A with Greg Laswell; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel, May 24 and Vinyl, June 1

By Alec Wooden

Sad songs aren’t for everyone. Some musicians don’t like to write them; some find they simply can’t. Greg Laswell doesn’t fit either description. Laswell, a West Coast-born multi-instrumentalist now based in New York, thrives on them, producing ever-pleasant piano/guitar pop-rock from often dark origins (by the way, don’t make “sad” synonymous with “boring” or “soft.” Any particular Laswell song isn’t necessarily either). You probably know Greg Laswell, even if not by name. His music has been featured in a laundry list of TV shows — “Smallville,” “One Tree Hill,” “CSI: Miami,” “90210,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “True Blood” to name a few — from the handful of records he’s released since 2003. Halfway through a nation-spanning tour behind the release of his latest record, Take A Bow, Laswell talks about his approach to writing the new record, seeing his songs in on television and the souvenirs he gathers on the road.

Guitar vs. piano: which instrument is the most natural to you? Do you tend to write more on one than the other?

I feel more natural on the the piano and it is my first love, but I think I have written more songs on guitar.

You’ve hugely benefited from TV placement over the years. I know some artists don’t like seeing their work as part of another’s vision, but it’s such an undeniably huge springboard these days. What’s your take on it?

My parents taught me to share. I think artists who don’t like seeing their work as part of another’s vision are silly. Every single one of their listeners is doing just that. I believe that once a song is written, it doesn’t belong to me anymore … like raising a kid the best you can and then sending him/her off to college. I want the best for them and I hope I raised them right, but my job is done. I’d be a bad parent if I tried to control their future. I’d also be an asshole. … Continue Reading

Check Out: OK Go’s “WTF” Video Remix Project; Playing The Loft, May 13

OK Go – WTF? from OK Go on Vimeo.

OK Go certainly know how to work that video camera. And they sure know how to get their fans’ attention. They launched a video remix project at the beginning of the year for their single “WTF,” which you may have started to hear on the ads for “Bones” and “Fringe.” It’s a lovely way to waste a couple of minutes at work – just watching the original trippy video or the rest of the crazy remixes – or indeed a lot longer if you’re willing to submit you’re own masterpiece. Be warned – there is (naturally) a couple of bad words at the beginning!

OK Go play The Loft in Atlanta May 13. Tickets are on sale now!

Black Lips Playing Black Cat in Washington, D.C. March 19, Tickets on Sale January 15.

We Have Signal: The Black Lips from We Have Signal on Vimeo.

Atlanta's nutty Black Lips are about to go on a looooong tour, and they'll be stopping by Black Cat in Washington, D.C. on March 19. Check out the very special episode of "We Have Signal" from Alabama Public Television above, which follows the band through a mad-as-usual show and gets them talking about their experiences in India. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative when they go on sale January 15 at noon.

Kate Voegele Touring to Juanita’s and Rock and Roll Hotel this Fall!

A true Renaissance girl, Kate Voegele manages to split her time recording top-10 records and playing Mia Catalano on The CW Television Network show One Tree Hill. She's back on tour now and will be making stops in Little Rock and Washington, D.C. for shows at Juanita's (October 21) and Rock and Roll Hotel (October 16). Tickets for both shows are available at Ticket Alternative.

Grammy Hopes and Predictions

Our sister site Atlanta Music Guide has posted a piece about the upcoming Grammys. Read it here!

Butch Walker to Make National TV Debut with Pink

Just posted on our sister site Atlanta Music Guide – we're excited for our hometown boy Butch Walker's every-growing success. Click here to read more.