Gentlemen Hall is a five-piece band (including a flautist!) from Boston who has been making waves lately. This past Saturday, they played a Boston Calling afterparty at Great Scott in Allston with fellow Boston bands CliffLight and Parks, along with playing the festival the next day. Before snatching up a deal with Island Records, GH won Pop Act of the Year at the second annual New England Music Awards here in Lowell, along with two Boston Music Awards for Pop Rock Artist of the Year and Video of the Year. Their music has been featured on the CW’s “90210” and ABC’s “Pretty Little Liars” and their single “Sail Into the Sun” has been featured on Target and Samsung commercials internationally. We caught up with them before they hit the stage.
Regina Alongi: So, let’s get to know you guys a little. Where are you all from and how did you meet?
Gentlemen Hall: We’re kind of a smorgasbord. We grew up all over the place – Ohio, Indiana, Vermont, New York but we met living in Boston. Just a group of friends playing our instruments after long days at shitty jobs. Eventually we started doing it in basement parties and realized there might be something more here.
RA: Who would you say your biggest musical influences are?
GH: Depends on who you ask, but common threads are Future Islands, Miike Snow, The Beatles. We’re always trying to hear new stuff. Any recommendations?
RA: What songs or albums have you been listening to non-stop lately?
GH: Ha! We’re radio nerds. BBC, XM, as long as it’s gravy, we’re all ears.
RA: Describe the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio. What song was it, where were you, how did you react?
GH: Hm, good question. The first couple times came from a barrage of tweets and we had to rush to the van radio or try to stream it. There have been a couple tracks in rotation and it’s a trip every time you hear one.
RA: It’s really exciting to see you playing Boston Calling aside some huge names like Nas, Lorde, The National and Girl Talk. How did you score this gig?
GH: Oh man, we’ve wanted to play this festival since they fired it up. They always make a point of showcasing Boston acts so it looks like our name came up and we got the call.
RA: What is the biggest crowd you’ve played for?
GH: The Billboard Music Awards, watched by something like 8 million people. The performance itself was in the MGM Grand, which was a really, really wild experience. Cerebral overload.
RA: What was the most exciting moment of your career so far?
GH: Tough to say. Been so many exciting moments. Our first show, our first festival, first record contract, first album release. Gotta enjoy all of it.
RA: I would love to meet Jon Bon Jovi and Brandon Flowers. Have you met any of your big idols yet?
GH: (Rory here) As a bass player, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is my biggest idol. I got to meet him at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and he asked if I had a CD of our stuff. Crazy moment, I actually did. I gave it to him minutes before he went up to induct Metallica into the Hall of Fame and could see the CD in his pocket. I went into the bathroom and hyperventilated, missed pretty much the whole thing.
RA: Are you excellent yo-yoers? Do you only wear mismatched socks? Give us a fun fact that most people wouldn’t know about you!
GH: Actually last night we were just showing off how bad we suck at juggling and ended up with smashed limes all over the kitchen from lack of skills. And yes, our sock drawers look like a bad singles mixer.
Check out Gentlemen Hall’s music and upcoming tour dates by visiting their website:
www.gentlemenhall.com
