When you hear the name Garcia Peoples is playing a venue near you (like at Asbury Jams at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ tonight) you might think, “Oh cool, a Dead tribute band.”
Unfortunately, you’d be making a big mistake if you thought that.
Garcias People is an excellent indie jam band from North Jersey. They craft wonderfully epic songs that take listeners on an ethereal journey that’s spiked with blistering guitar work. Simultaneously Garcia Peoples is able to evoke the sonic and spiritual soundscape created by The Dead, Jerry Garcia and classic jam bands while steeping it in a sense of indie modernity with its lyrical and vocal tapestry. Simply put, Garcia Peoples is must a listen for those who love to groove in the ether of the nebulous jam band sound and head bop and dive into the sonic glory of indie music.
Recently, we caught up with the band to talk about their new album, improvisation and more as they get set to perform at Asbury Jams.
Garcia Peoples is (Band Members & Instruments They Play): Pat Gubler – Keyboards/Vocals, Andy Cush – Bass/Vocals, Cesar Arakaki – Drums, Tom Malach – Guitar/Vocals, Danny Arakaki – Guitar/ Vocals
Year We Formed In: 2018
The Story Behind Our Name: Random stranger kept saying someones name wrong to us and we needed a band name to play shows, so just used that. Fact that we remind people of early Dead is coincidence.
Bands That Inspired Our Sound: Can, Fairport Convention, Television, many many others and recent music influences us on a daily basis.
Famous/Awesome Bands We’ve Shared the Stage With: Kurt Vile, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Sleepy Doug Shaw(Highlife), Weak Signal, Howlin’ Rain, Träden, Kikagaku Moyo, and many more awesome bands.
You dropped Dodging Dues earlier this year — can you take about the sonic and lyrical message behind the record?
It’s about the sun, the moon, the stars. Lot of what we do on Dodging Dues is very of the moment. Whatever the mood and words come to mind while we’re recording in the studio.
How does this record differ from the rest of your catalog?
Matt Sweeney produced, more singers/ song writers. Haven’t played any of it live before we recorded it.
How much of an impact did Matt Sweeney have on the album as a producer?
Matt Sweeney’s parting words to us after recording were, “stay hard.” We give what we got and he leads us through new territory on this record. It was truly a great time.
One of the things I really love about your sound is the journey it takes you on. How much improvisation do you inject in your studio recordings or do you have a fairly concrete plan for every song you’re going to record?
It changes from record to record. Some of it is based in “album building,” where we can add jams in after the fact if it makes an album cohesive. Some focused on “song constructing,” where we write songs in a similar theme. Improvisation comes when time to overdub, and then shines live because we get to interact with our drummer (Cesar). We may end up doing a “live” album someday.
Obviously, the past two years changed everything for the music world. How did the past two years change your approach to music — whether it’s writing, recording, performing, etc?
Tires to the road. Writing and recording have taken a backseat. Playing live and improvising is whats been happening for us.
If someone wanted come out to Asbury Jams at Wonder Bar to hear you guys play – what song of yours would you suggest they “pre-game” with (listen to before they come to the show) in order to fully get what Garcia Peoples is all about?
Combo of “Dodging Dues” and “Nightcap At Wits’ End”
You guys are currently touring the country — what’s been one of your favorite experiences on the road so far?
Every venue’s been sweet to us! Not hitting the Boar on the road across The Texas Panhandle.
What are you most excited about for the band in 2022?
Touring and writing in the Fall!
