Quite possibly the most rocking band out of Nashville right now, Blank Range has been jamming their way along the road, just recently finishing up a tour with headliners the Mountain Goats. In their free time, they managed to let The Oracle have the opportunity to talk to them over Facebook about their formation and plans for their debut album to come out in the first half of next year.
The Oracle (Q.) How did the band get together?
Blank Range (A.) The band formed out of inefficiency, or a desire for efficiency. In Nashville a few years ago, it seemed like everybody had their own band. You played in all your friends bands but if you wrote songs you had your own band. We were definitely a part of this trend, having two separate bands with the same members. Trying to find sufficient time to rehearse and play shows for two different bands was difficult so we had a board meeting and decided on the merger.
Q. Who are the current members and what instruments do they play?
A. The current members are Taylor Zachry on bass, Matt Novotny on drums, Jon Childers on guitar, Grant Gustafson on guitar and Jon Rainville on keys.
Q. How long has the band been together? What are each of the member’s previous (if any) musical experience in a band or musical project?
A. The band has been playing with various personnel for about 3.5 years. All of us have been playing music since we were teenagers and have played in a bunch of different groups.
Q. What are some of the other bands they have all been involved with leading up to Blank Range / outside of Blank Range now (if they are members in any other bands)?
A. Matt and Jon Childers ha a band called The Leadership. Jon Childers also plays in a Jo[h]n supergroup called The Jahnnies with members of Futurebirds and Penicillin Baby. Grant has played with Jessica Lea Mayfield, Richie, Quichenight, and a few other short term projects.
Q. How does the song writing process work?
A. We generally come in with some idea; sometimes very simple, sometimes well developed. Once a song is in the band’s hands it really is everybody’s project. We collect ideas, try out a bunch of options, and decide on an arrangement. We sing what we write as of right now but we’re interested in writing for each other.
Q. Currently there is a tape and a single for purchase; do you guys plan to have a debut out soon?
A. We’re finishing up our first full-length album. That should be available spring or early summer 2016.
Q. How does coming from Nashville influence the sound of the band? Are there any inspirations, be it musicians or otherwise, which accumulate into the DNA of Blank Range?
A. We’re all very avid listeners. We collect records and listen to full albums so influence or inspiration sneaks in from everywhere. We try to put our songs together in a way that draws on our influences without trying to think like our influences; without putting both feet in one camp.
Q. How was the band able to go on the road with the Mountain Goats? Did opening for the band pave any new roads for opportunity?
A. We have the same booking agent and he made all of that happen, along with the Mountain Goats giving the ok! We always have a great time playing with those guys because of their fans. Mountain Goats fans show up early, get right up against the stage, and listen. We’ve also been able to play some very cool spots with them, i.e. a sold out show at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
Q. What are some memorable things that happened on the road?
A. Earlier this year we were on a 6 or 7 week tour out west. Being surrounded by such scenery was cause enough for having a great trip, but we also got to play some pretty amazing venues. We played at classics like the Fillmore and Showbox theaters in San Francisco and Seattle respectively. We got to play Sasquatch festival at The Gorge in central Washington state. We played in unique places like the Mayan theater in Los Angeles, which was an old movie theater. Definitely a memorable experience.
Q. Where did the name Blank Range come from, and are there any bits or pieces about the new album you guys would care to elaborate on?
A. We chose the name Blank Range because it wasn’t immediately indicative of anything, to us. We thought it was striking but didn’t mean anything. Choosing a band name is absurd. We have much too choose from to make our first album. All of us are album appreciators; we get into the complete work. We’re going for cohesive and dynamic.
Q. As a band, does playing live offer more experience versus recording?
A. Both are very interesting. We really enjoy playing music together. This is kind of hard explaining so I won’t go on but there’s something very special when you are able to really tune in. On the other hand, recording is fun because it allows you to sculpt something that you wouldn’t necessarily happen upon when playing live.
Soon enough their debut will be out, but in the meantime, their demo tape Phase II and first single “Scrapin’” with “Before I Go To Sleep” can be purchased and streamed here.
Anthony Campbell // A&E Editor
