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Date: 12/5/2018
FEEDING HILLS – The Greys, a local band from Western Massachusetts, have seen many changes over the last few years, but they are just getting started. The group is currently preparing to record their first full-length album, “Abeyance.’
The Greys originally began as a bass and vocal duo between Chris Merritt and Feeding Hills native Cait Simpson in 2015. With Merritt as a writer and electric bassist and Simpson as a vocalist and writer, they were ready to tap into their creative skills following an education in music. Simpson explained, “We had been friends since the beginning of college in 2010 and right before we graduated in 2015, we both had experiences in music school that had impacted our relationships too much and in ways that weren’t always positive. One night, Chris said to me, ‘We are going to do this when we get out of here.’ After a little less than a year of playing covers and trying to find our voice, we started writing and we found our sound.”
As a duo, Merritt and Simpson wrote their first original song, “Far From Home.” They began booking performances every chance they had. Simpson described the passion that drove she and Merritt to go full throttle into their music careers. “Over time, we realized how healing and honest this music was and it was one of the first times in my art that I felt like I was really truly using my voice in all meanings of the word.”
The pair released their first EP, “The Landing,” in Feb. 2017. But there was something missing, and Merritt and Simpson knew just what it was. In 2017, Mara Penatzer and Josh Daniel joined The Greys, playing keys and drums, respectively. Penatzer and Daniel were college friends of Merritt and Simpson. Daniel had worked with the Greys in the past, recording their EP alongside Caroline O’Leary of Mad Habits. Penatzer and Daniel joined the band in July 2017. Simpson shared, “By summer 2017, we realized there was a bit more we wanted to do with our sound. Their collaborations allowed us to take the music to a whole new level. We have so many talented and passionate friends, but the two of them understood the darkness and the music and a lot of it came in an unspoken way. We feel very lucky to have them beside us now.”
When it comes to describing the genre that The Greys falls into, Simpson admits that it’s difficult. “We have such trouble [describing it.] I’ve gotten in the habit of saying ‘Poetry driven indie-rock with jazz roots.’ We all met in jazz school, so you can hear that influence sprinkle in there. But I was raised in theatre and Chris loves rock music, so I think you also feel our appreciation for those genres.”
What make The Greys unique are the themes that they speak to in their lyrics and sound. Their lyrics are based strongly around the subjects of mental health and mental illness. Simpson finds it personally important to incorporate a variety of subjects in the band’s songs. “I’m also extremely interested in exploring identity and society, and the relationship between art and community. I think that is reflected in our music. I also think taking ownership of your anger and experiences is prevalent, as well as the process of actively exploring and searching one’s mind.”
The quartet has just released the first single off of “Abeyance,” titled “Rabbit Hole.” The single is now streaming on Spotify. Simpson expressed the band’s excitement to share the single with their fans. “We were insanely excited to release ‘Rabbit Hole.’ It was actually on ‘The Landing.’ It is the only song from the original EP that we wanted to reinvent, and we thought it was the perfect introduction to expressing the direction we are going in.”
Reinventing “Rabbit Hole” represents the shift in The Greys’ style and how they see their music in the future. Simpson shared, “At the time we released ‘The Landing,’ we were so thrilled, but over time and as we have learned, we know that doesn’t really represent us anymore. It was our first recording and I think anyone would find a million things they learned and would change about their first released piece of work. Now, we have such a clear idea of what we want and we’ve been working hard on these songs literally since the week we finished the EP.”
Even with a change in style, “Rabbit Hole” was meaningful for The Greys, and Simpson is proud of what the single has become. “It was a song that we grew to intensely love about a year and a half after it was written, and I think, and hope, that translates between the two. Josh and Caroline did an amazing job recording for us and Andy Cassella of Shape Recording killed it when mastering.”
The Greys currently have a fundraiser on Kickstarter to help fund “Abeyance.” Money raised will go toward the costs associated with producing the album, mastering and distribution. Simpson explained, “We have been trying to fund this album since spring of 2017, and over time we realized that even with the amount we perform and the fact we all work full-time jobs that it wasn’t going to be possible without some help.”
The band is also hoping to raise enough money to put toward the production of music videos, including a nearly complete video for “Rabbit Hole.” As Simpson shared, “We also love to work with local artists on our graphics for promotion and album artwork, so this helps us pay them to contribute to our world in a beautiful way. We also would love to be able to feature some amazing musicians on this album, and this helps us pay artists the way they should be.”
While over half of “The Landing” was funded by The Greys, help from fans and their community makes the production of upcoming projects easier. Simpson explained, “This help goes a really long way and makes our goals way more possible. Anyone who helps us out and donates at any level receives something in return. In a lot of ways, it’s just like pre-ordering an album.”
The Greys are wrapping up 2018 after a great year as a band. Simpson shared her favorite experiences so far as a musician that is driving she and The Greys to work on their art each day. “This year was particularly good to us. Honestly, I think Chris and my writing process is so special and it holds a space with me that is different than any other collaboration ever has. We also had the honor of opening up for soul singer Kat Wright a couple of months ago at the Shea Theater. Something about that stage allowed us to get completely in the music in a new way. I also think hearing from strangers that they felt something from our music will be a feeling that will never be able to be topped.”
As the quartet move into 2019, Simpson hopes to see success in funding the release of “Abeyance” and to keep performing with Merritt, Penatzer and Daniel. “I just want to be able to write together and perform together for many years to come. I would love our music to travel far and wide and I would love to perform in spaces where people need to hear our message. Performing is a huge privilege, one we work hard for, but all I want in this life is to be able to continue doing it.”
Passion for music is the powerhouse that drives the Greys, and Simpson is appreciative of the support they have had in continuing to produce their art. “Music and community are so important to us. Support from the community to make our music means everything in the world to us and we hope that we show how devoted we are through our art in return. We appreciate those who have listened over the past few years.”
Following the birth of Merritt’s child, the Greys have taken a small break, but are ready to get back on stage for upcoming performances. On Dec. 11 at 10 p.m., the Greys will play a set at Bishop’s Lounge to promote “Abeyance” and their Kickstarter fundraiser. Simpson told Reminder Publishing that every song performed would be off of “Abeyance.” On Dec. 31, The Greys will perform at First Night Northampton at Lyman Hall at 7 p.m. On Jan. 18, the group will perform at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke alongside local band Ex-Temper and Boston-based Jakals. Simpson is thrilled to be performing alongside each act and to continue to perform throughout the year. “Both have femme identifying front people and are super powerful. We are really looking forward to that. We are about to begin our booking for 2019 and planning our official album release show, so stay tuned!”
To learn more about The Greys, please visit www.thegreysduo.com. The band’s Kickstarter can also be found at http://kck.st/2qGnRbM.