From love at its best and worst, to finding yourself, Grayscale tells it all in their guitar-filled anthems laced with emotion. The Philadelphia based five-piece is composed of Collin Walsh (vocals), Dallas Molster (guitar + vocals), Andrew Kyne (guitar), Nick Ventimiglia (bass), and Nick Veno (drums). In their recent release, Live From The Barbershop Studios, the band showed versatility between styles with stripped down renditions of their own music from Nella Vita, their 2019 album. In our interview, Grayscale details their motivations behind their songwriting, their excitement for next year’s Sad Summer Fest (which they’d planned to tour with this summer before COVID-19 restrictions were enacted), and of course, their love for Philly!
PPRG: How did your music career begin?
Grayscale: Under the name Grayscale we really started playing small club and basement shows here and there around 2013 or so. We would do weekend runs in different states on occasion, but really just played gigs locally as much as we could. We had been playing the North East, some Midwest and mainly the Philly area until 2016 when people began to take notice over those few years. Luckily, record labels and management did too. We ended up signing with Fearless Records in 2017 and the rest is really history.
PPRG: Your music encompasses many emotional themes, including love, grief, and self-discovery. What motivates you to share these emotions and stories through music?
Grayscale: It’s really our way of catharsis. We write the way we do through personal experience because that’s the best way for us to express those emotions and feelings in our personal lives. You’re almost listening to an audible diary in a way. The motivation also goes beyond that in a sense that we want our fans to be able to relate and feel like they have us with them through thick and thin. We want to be able to be the crutch for them when times get tough and know they aren’t alone in all the madness.
PPRG: What inspired you to rework + re-record songs from your album Nella Vita for Live From the Barbershop Studios, your latest EP?
Grayscale: It’s really just our love for all kinds of music. We didn’t grow up listening to one style of music so we just wanted to show our diversity in how we can transform these songs. We absolutely loved doing those versions and working with our good friend Brett Romnes at The Barbershop Studio.
PPRG: You’re no stranger to music festivals, playing Warped Tour in the past and being set to tour with Sad Summer Fest this summer (before COVID cancellations were put in place). What is your favorite part of music festivals?
Grayscale: Music festivals are so much fun because you’re usually with other bands you’re friends with and playing outside is a blast. There’s something beautiful about both club shows and outdoor shows. When you get good weather and an unreal crowd for festivals, it’s the perfect situation. Warped Tour was a giant summer camp and it’s an experience that can’t compare to anything else really. We adored being on that tour. Sad Summer 2021 will be unreal as well and we can’t wait to get back out there with some amazing artists and friends and see everyone’s faces.
PPRG: In your time touring all across the U.S., and even recording your album in Texas, what did you miss most about Philly?
Grayscale: The food and the people. Philly has a community and vibe different from anywhere else in the world. It’s hard to explain.
PPRG: How has Philadelphia’s culture impacted your sound and approach to music?
Grayscale: Philly is extremely rich with culture, history, and music. It’s a music full of diehard, passionate people who love sports and intensity. I think we all have an appreciation for the history of our city, the city legends that have come out of it, and the brotherly love that it exudes to this day.
PPRG: Are there any Philly artists who have influenced you?
Grayscale: I wouldn’t say any artist specifically. Honestly the people and their passion along with their love for our homegrown figures drove us more than the musical acts that have come out of there specifically. We want to make our city proud.
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