Last year, no Arizona independent band was stirring up more buzz around the state than Austin Gibbs and The States.
Playing shows nearly every weekend, the band seemed poised to be the next big group to come out of Arizona.
But other priorities and commitments knocked the band off of its successful path, and while some band members chose to focus on their educations, Gibbs went out on tour as a guitarist for Brighten, a band based out of California.
After that tour ended, Gibbs recorded a solo EP with producer Bob Hoag, who is known for his work with local heavyweights The Format, and Dear and the Headlights.
Now, after bringing back charter members of The States — drummer Loren Brinton and bass player Marshall Hunt — and recruiting guitar player Rajiv Patel, the group recorded a four-song EP that dropped on April 7.
Songs like “Complete” and “All By Yourself” are sure to be songs that listeners won’t be able to get out of their heads. The EP serves as an example that Gibbs still has the potential to be the next big thing out of Arizona, despite the secession of the States.
The State Press recently spoke with Gibbs about his new release, future plans and an innovative new way to perform a concert.
The State Press: What was the songwriting process like for the new album? Were they all songs you had prior to the studio, or were they new for the EP?
Austin Gibbs: It was 50-50. Two of the songs were older songs that I had always wanted to record, and the other two I wrote about two weeks before we went into the studio. I felt like we needed to record them but there was no theme to this EP, [I was] just trying to get songs out there for now.
SP: Last year your full band, Austin Gibbs and The States, dissolved and you went on to play with Brighten. Is your solo project now your sole focus, or would you consider putting it on hold in the future to tour with Brighten or another band?
AG: Oh yeah, I had the most fun touring with Brighten, but I told Justin [the band’s lead singer] if Brighten went on a tour again I would go with him, but that was before this EP. I would have to think about it because those guys are some of my best friends, but I think I would have to focus on my music.
SP: Have you received any label interest, and is signing with a major label one of your goals?
AG: I haven’t really been talking to any labels, but, yeah, to get signed to the right label has been a goal of mine ever since I started writing songs 20 months ago.
SP: Do you have any future touring plans?
AG: Nothing planned yet, but I would love to go out on tour sometime in the future.
SP: Do you think other local Arizona bands recently gaining some national notoriety (i.e., The Maine and The Summer Set) have helped you achieve your success in what has been a relatively short time? As in, their popularity has trickled down to you and other local acts. Also, do you think the Arizona music scene gets enough respect?
AG: I feel like it has helped. Those guys always bring big crowds but I have only played with The Maine three times, and going on tour with Brighten helped a lot with the fans of that style of music checking out my music.
I would say the thing that helped out the most was the road to the Tempe Music Festival and winning that competition last year. That got us a ton of buzz and it opened a lot of doors for me.
I feel like it gets enough credit with the bands like Dear and the Headlights, Lydia and The Maine, all doing great. I think that people know about our music scene over here.
SP: Are you seeking out any permanent members to the band, or is this strictly your solo project?
AG: Yes, I am; I need permanent members so I can go out on tour, but I feel like the guys who recorded on my EP are the guys I want to jam with forever. Not only are they great at what they do musically, they are also my good friends and I love them to death. That was Loren Brinton on drums, Marshall Hunt on bass, and Rajiv Patel on guitar, but you know things come up and sometimes it just doesn’t work out, but I hope I can get everyone on board.
SP: Your live performance on Stickam was an interesting way to perform a concert. How did that come about, and what was the reason you decided to do it?
AG: I had heard of Stickam via some people friends online who are from the U.K. and wanted to see me play but for obvious reasons can’t. My friend Ashley Harris put out the idea that because my EP drops digitally why don’t I have a digital show on the same day. I thought it was a great idea so I went and got a Stickam account, and here we are. I am also planning on doing a lot of Q & A’s on there and live chat stuff soon as well.
SP: Musically, what are your plans for 2009 and beyond?
AG: Oh my, it’s hard to say. Things get crazy in the music world but I want to get my music out there the best that I can. I hope to get twice as many fans as I do now; that’s a personal goal of mine. Maybe near the end of the year record more tracks.
Reach the reporter at jdfourni@asu.edu.
