There are several signs indicating whether a show will be stellar or not.  From the lack of parking anywhere in the same zipcode as the Bootleg Theater, I knew I was in for a little musical insanity.  After travelling from the entirely different country I’d left my car in, I made my way to the venue- and in case I had any doubts about where I was going, all I had to do was follow the mob of hipsters ready to show a little love for the group.  Apparently every Southern California inhabitant had rsvp’d yes to said event because I was about to get up close and personal with several of my closest strangers- sardine style.

The former strangers turned forced friends were all about White Arrows’ opening act and the anticipation permeated the room as everyone waited with breath baited for Grouplove to storm the stage.

Eager to see what was up for Grouplove in twenty-eleven I caught up with Sean Gadd of the group to get the inside scoop.

LN:  So you guys just kicked off your residency at the Bootleg Theater- is that your first residency here in LA?

SG:  Yeah this is our first actual residency- we’ve played at the Bootleg a few times and it’s one of the venues we really loved, sp when they offered us a residency in January, we took it.  To start the new year off with a show in our hometown, at one of our favorite venues is really quite something.

 

LN:  Yeah- you guys pretty much come from all over, is L.A. your home base now?

SG:  Yeah, L.A. is built up from people who come from all over, searching for something- our band is really an L.A. band- even though there are only a few members that are actually from L.A.- we’re very much what L.A. is, I feel.

 

LN:  You guys have a very unique story about how you met, on the beach in Greece of all places- how did you come up with the name Grouplove?

SG:  I guess what the story is, is we were called Group and we had to change it because Group was an impossible name to keep!  We always liked the name Grouplove as well, and we thought it was different, and it’s a name people remember.  And, it kind of explains us guys because how we met because we all just come from different places and different backgrounds and we all just kind of met in Greece, and we really enjoyed hanging out.  And the name does have some funny connotations, but I think it just explains the band and our dynamic, and how we feel about each other.

 

LN:  What would you say are some main musical influences for your group as a whole?

SG:  I guess we all listen to different stuff, which is interesting.  We are always arguing on the tour bus about what we listen to.  People always say we sound like a modern day ’90s band- which is kind of true, we have some ’90s influences, but we listen to classic music too- the Beatles, the Stones- but we listen to modern music as well- we try and stay relevant.  It’s always a tough one when someone asks your influences!

LN:  I can’t even imagine- I wouldn’t be able to choose!

 

LN:  Now to make things even harder- if you were stranded on an island, and could only bring three CDs- what would you bring?

SG:  Well, I can’t speak on behalf of the band, but I think I’d go for some really old stuff, because I think it stands the test of time, Van Morrison “His Band and the Street Choir,” the Beatles’ “Help,” and a bit more modern- but still far from new, Nirvana’s “Nevermind.”

 

LN:  The music industry can be pretty tough- but you guys seem to have it pretty easy with all the evident chemistry!  If you’re ever looking for fresh inspiration, where do you turn?

SG:  You know, we kind of bounce off each other.  We’re a band full of songwriters and we’ve always got ideas.  Like you said, it’s a tough question!  I mean maybe we’d go for a walk outside together, pick up our guitars, etc.  And, that’s kind of how we met, on the beach, in Greece- which sounds kind of luxurious- but it really wasn’t!

LN:  Hey, sounds like a good way to meet to me!

 

LN:  So would you say the songwriting process in Grouplove is very much a collaborative effort?

SG:  Oh yes, someone will kind of bring a song to the table and sometimes whatever they expected that song to be changes, very drastically!

 

LN:  So you’re first CD dropped a little bit ago, right?

SG:  Yeah well, we released it a few months ago ourselves, independently, and now we’re re-releasing it with our label- it comes out in January.

 

LN:  So after your residency at the Bootleg finishes up, you’ll be on tour promoting the album?

SG:  Yeah!  We’re going to London, my hometown- which is going to be really exciting for me, and a bit strange- I’ve been in LA since April!

LN:  So you must be really excited to get back home for a bit!

SG:  It’s really weird!  I moved over here with literally a bag of clothes, and a guitar, and just kind of left on a whim with just enough money for just a little bit and just came out here.  Luckily stuff just kept moving forward and moving forward!  So yeah, it’ll be strange to go back home- but I’m kind of excited!

LN:  Well you’re young, and this is the time to adventure!

SG:  Absolutely ya know, I didn’t know what was going to happen- but I believe in the band, and I believe in the music and I just kind of wanted to get out here.  And I figured when I did get out here, things would just kind of fall into place, and luckily everything did just keep moving forward.  Every day I get to wake up in Los Angeles I feel so happy!

 

LN:  So you being from the UK- what’s the main difference between the music scene here and the music scene there?

SG:  Yeah I guess being a classic London band, which is where I’m from, means you have a little anger, maybe a little angst, but being here and outdoors more is different.  I think it makes a big difference being outdoors as opposed to indoors.  I go for a walk outdoors here and take my guitar- and the rest of the band does as well- and it really changes your outlook.  That’s why people love different music from different places though!

 

LN:  Craziest tour/show story?

SG:  Let’s see….no comment?

LN:  So it’s rated “R”

SG:  Definitely rated “R”!

 

LN:  What is your goal for 2011?

SG:  Well we have our European tour lined up which we’re really excited about!  We’re also going to promote the EP, release an album in the Summer…really our goal is to just keep believing in the music.

 

LN:  Well you guys have a busy year planned- any plans to be at SXSW?

SG:  Yes!  We will be at SXSW!

 

LN:  You have a lot of festivals in Europe over summer- plan on hitting any of those?

SG:  Well being an Englishman I’d love to play over at any of the festivals I grew up going to, like Glastonbury first and foremost!

 

I can safely say that all the buzz behind Grouplove’s music was completely validated last night, and I’ve already begun my countdown to SXSW.  Since March is light years away, and seeing as I live in the now, I’m officially getting ready for next Monday where I, and apparently the rest of Southern California’s inhabitants will head to the Bootleg Theater for their third time’s a charm performance.  Can’t wait till then to get your Grouplove fix?  You can keep updated on the latest and greatest with the band by heading over to www.myspace.com/groupmusic.  Check out for yourself why the group is more than worthy of a little love- and while you’re at it, check out “colours” care of the quintet.  Thank me later.