Interview: Painted Grey

This past February the band Painted Grey released their new album titled “Away With Words”. Since then they have been playing numerous shows around Oregon and Washington, playing along side many great bands, and writing new exciting songs. I recently asked lead sing/guitars Caleb Roloff and lead guitarist Andrew Tewson a few questions about their band and new album.

How long have you been working/writing your first album “Away With Words”?

Away With Words combined some songs Andrew and I had been playing with some previous members over the last few years as well as songs we had worked out in the 6 months or so prior to recording. The song “Falling” was written about 2 weeks before we recorded it, and that probably ended up being one of the best tracks. So we are excited to have a little more time to work out all our new material before the next record. -Caleb Roloff

What are you favorite songs on your most recent record and why?

I would say “Falling”, “Two Week Guy”, and “Let Me Go”. Mainly because stylistically their more similar to the new songs we’re writing than a lot of the other songs on the album. -Andrew Tewson

What is your favorite song to play live and why?

Currently, it’s one of our new songs called Fire. It has a lot of dynamics and the end has a pretty epic build. Off of our album Away With Words, it would have to be Two Week Guy. It has a lot of energy and it’s just really fun to play live. -AT

Since seeing you guys live last you have written a few new songs. How many new songs have you written and is there anything different about these songs then the ones on your first full length “Away with Words”

We have a lot of new stuff we’re working on. I think we have 5 new songs that we’ve added to our live set. I would say being a relatively new band, I think with the newer songs, we’re really finding our own sound.. Which I think for any band, it takes a while to figure out exactly what your sound is. -CR

What are some of your current inspirations on the new songs you have been writing?

I have been listening to a lot of Young the Giant, also a new band called Voxhaul Broadcast.. But personally I think we are just trying to be more purposeful about every aspect of our new songs. -CR

Been trying anything new that you guys have not tried in the past? New instruments?

We have added keys in the last 6 months or so. Ben, our bass player is pulling double duty. It’s pretty impressive. Sometimes he’ll play bass and keys at the same time. -AT

How did you come up with the name “Painted Grey” as a band name?

We were all trying to come up with a name for weeks. One of Caleb’s buddies came up with Paint Me Grey, which I thought was pretty cool, but then suggested Painted Grey, which everyone liked. We felt it was a good fit as far as being from the Northwest goes, with all the grey days we get, and also thought it fit our music really well. -AT

Which band would you like to go on to tour with the most?

A band from Seattle called Barcelona. We’re all big fans of theirs. But as far as a more well known band goes, it would have to be MuteMath. -AT

Be sure to check out their website or facebook to learn more about upcoming shows and updates. You can buy their new album “Away with Words” on itunes here, here, and right here.

Check out some photos of from their show at WSU’s Battle of The Bands