Artist Interview: High Gloss Black ready to take on Chicago and beyond
Hot Zone recently visited with the female fronted band High Gloss Black from Chicago, IL . Made up of members of the American Motherload and lead singer Jessica Robinson (Rockstar: INXS) they are a band worth keeping your eye on. High Gloss Black will be showcasing their most recent music on Jan 2nd at the LaSalle Power Co in Chicago.
www.highglossblack.com
Three of you were in a previous band, American Motherload, what did you bring from your old band into High Gloss Black and what do you feel is the biggest differences?
I think we bring a lot of what AML was doing musically and I and Geoff (bass) have been writing together for at least 15 yrs, and Robert (drums) played in AML as well. So the chemistry is there. But when we added Jessica to the mix it seemed to find a bit of its own sound, which is exactly what I had hoped and envisioned the HGB sound would be…and is. I think the overall approach is similar, but natural differences in dynamics occur as well, due mainly to new material being created constantly.
How did you connect with Jessica Robinson and what made you decide to go with a female singer for the band?
We actually met her through Roberts (drums) girlfriend. I think she knew Jess’ Mom from a work related matter and she said that we (AML) were auditioning singers, and it wasn’t going very well. She then mentioned how her daughter was a singer that had experience AND wanted to do original hard rock. We then met with Jessica and talked about our past and present goals etc…we had a rehearsal/jam session and it really clicked. The rest is history.
Do you feel that the band encounters any stereotypes having a lead singer originating from a reality television show?
I suppose because Jess was on the Rockstar thing some folks might think we are a cookie-cutter band, I assure you, with one listen anyone will hear that this is simply good old, in your face hard rock that happens to be fronted by a female.
What do you feel is the biggest struggle as an indie artist trying to make it in the music industry?
Getting good distribution and good old fashioned creative attention from managers and labels. Nothing really sticks to the wall anymore…albums come and go so fast its amazing and scary. Kids can buy or even steal music so easy it sucks for the artists that still want to make full albums, not just a single or two.
If you could choose one band to tour with who would it be and why?
Right now I’d say Alice in Chains…they are the real deal. The new record is a masterpiece too. I repeat, the whole record.
Social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter etc have changed the face of the music industry, how do you feel this helps or hinders an artist?
I guess I feel that it has helped and in some ways hurt…it makes it easier to see and hear new stuff that’s out there, but it also makes people lazy too. Get up, go out and buy a cd. Or go see a show. Youtube and Myspace can’t give you the real feel of an artist.
What can we expect to see from High Gloss Black in the coming months?
We are writing a ton of new material, and gearing up to tour a bit while looking for a home for the band as far as a label and management. We just finished a six song EP that should hold us off for a few months. As I said new material is flowing out of us and we have a lot to choose from for out debut full length CD, or album.
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