Interview with Sputnik the Band
Interview with Sputnik the Band
Much praise was heaped on their previous three releases “Meet Sputnik” and “Shine On...” and “333” It’s easy to see what led producer Carl Glanville (Keith Richards, U2, Frank Sinatra Jason Mraz – to their door, and the results are no less than stunning (and sometimes even a little chilling). Sputnik the Band is the real deal. Like the perfect mixtape left by a gone, but never forgotten friend their music sounds warmly familiar, yet distinctly fresh at every listen.
Sputnik The Band’s latest concept album “The Lew Bracker Album” released this summer. Also out on all streaming platforms are the Latest NEW singles “Villa Capri” “Tour Guide”,“20 to Go” “Never Forget” and “Go Get ‘Em Boy” “The band’s new songs are truly timeless. Their music morphs into a cohesive masterful study, and expansion, on Power Pop’s enduring appeal.
“Tour Guide” is an instant classic; one of those songs you’ll never forget the first time you hear it. “A-Frame To Skycrest,” with its infectious hook. The ethereal, yet vivid long gone summer conjured by “Kennywood Park.” Every track on their latest releases are a concise collection of songs that seem deceptively simple, and yet a sonic and emotionally complex, masterpieces.
Front and center is singer/songwriter Genie Morrow’s ethereal/gritty voice, along with premiere studio musicians, notorious “Industry” geeks, and a smattering of the plain old “notorious founding band members…” Mic Rains, Nigel Rawles, Pemberton Roach, Tim Luntzel, Joe Drew, Mark Piro and Benjamin Samuelson.
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
All of us in the band come from very musical families. We would gather around the piano. Music would bring us all together.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
When not playing music Genie teaches yoga to children and loves gardening and hiking. Children are such creative, playful and curious beings. Creating magic with children is easy because they are so pure and open to anything. Children always inspire me. Planting flowers and caring for them connects me to the earth and the life force of nature which is also creative and filled with wonder.
How long has music been your career?
20 years
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
We are based in NYC. Genie grew up listening to a lot of NY bands. The other band members come from Arkansas, Philadelphia, Michigan and Ohio. Everyone grew up listening to different bands.
All of our childhood musical influences come through in our sound.
Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.
One of the most fun shows we ever played was recently in NYC at The Bowery Electric. It was in early 2022 and all of the fans were so happy to be seeing LIVE music again after the pandemic.
It was a full house and the people in the audience were singing along and cheering. We played a new anti war song called “See the Sun” that will be on our new album coming out in 2023.
It was right around the time war had broken out in the Ukraine. The kids were cheering as our trumpet player broke into a solo. We felt the love and passion to change the world from all of the people in the audience. It was an epic moment!
Worst show may have been when we were just starting out. We were in some random club in Brooklyn. It was big but no one was there. To be honest we still had fun but it would have been even better if humans were there.
Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
Rockwood Music Hall is fun! The Bitter End is great too!
We would love to play Bowery Ballroom and open for a headliner and colleges and outdoor festivals.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
The Strokes Spoon Weezer Guided By Voices
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music?
Stay on course. Be open to feedback. Run from anyone who is a nay sayer or doesn’t support you. Surround yourself with people who celebrate each other.
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Don’t listen to negative people. Stay in a high vibrational frequency always.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
'Villa Capri' means a lot to me because it was inspired by a friendship the actor James Dean had with Lew Bracker and it captures the essence of their friendship and love of freedom.
“Tour Guide” also has a special meaning because it makes you feel like you’re on the open road with good friends and it was inspired by a good friend who played with the band a lot named Tim Luntzel.(who passed away at a young age)
“The Josephine” it’s an edgy break up song that everyone loves and the song was based on a true story. The couple ended up getting back together.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
The Josephine
Tour Guide
Villa Capri
Powerlines At Dawn
Emerge from the Earth
Never Forget
20 to GO
Temptation Eyes
Satellite of Love
What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?
Creativity comes in waves. A lot of times early in the morning I get a lot of creative downloads. Sometimes it could just be sitting at the piano and it just flows out.
Books and movies also trigger creativity and visions.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Uplifting the listener in some way. Giving people a sense of courage and hope even in the midst of difficulties. Giving people life force and energy!
Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?
Sometimes we don’t always agree on how a song should be arranged. But, we work through it pretty quickly and move forward.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
We are currently working on a NEW album due to be released sometime in 2023. We were invited by the owner of Guilfordsound.com to start a new album.
Our producer Carl Glanville is traveling up there to work with us. We are really looking forward to working there in the near future and continuing to play gigs and submitting songs for Sync.
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