Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Grayson Hamm - Lead Vocalist, Keyboards
Walt Blythe - Guitar
Brandon Brewer - Vocals, Bass
Wesley Belk - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Space4Lease? How long has the band been around?
Grayson Hamm: Wesley was in a band called Fade from OKC right before joining us, but aside from that none of us played in any prominent bands after high school until Space4Lease. I had never even played with a drummer until Space4Lease started, which was about three years ago now. We had a different drummer and bassist for the first couple of months, with Brandon and Wesley joining after that.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Grayson Hamm: A real estate sign on the side of the road. We have never changed it.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Walt Blythe: Grayson predominately starts the songs and we all mold and form ideas around that as a group. I’d say love, the inevitable and just past life experiences. Whether the ideas will change over time, I don’t know. That’s a tough one to answer. Inspiration comes when it comes and mostly based off of what is going on in life, which as we all know is pretty unpredictable just about all the time.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Grayson Hamm: This is always changing, but very currently would be bands like Big Thief, Andy Shauf, Pinegrove, Post Animal, and The Districts. Not to say we are trying to be like these bands, but these are artists we are listening to often right now.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Walt Blythe: I wouldn’t say any show particularly. I was fortunate in my teens to consistently be engulfed in seeing and experiencing great live music. I feel the emotion and inspiration that can be given off in just a few hours of a show or over the course of a weekend at festival undoubtedly put that spark in me. Live music and seeing bands of all sort helped inspire me to get through tough times and also supply some of the best memories to date. It kind of became the way I found how to inspire others as well. So why would I not want to supply the same thing to others ya know?
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Walt Blythe: SPLIFFS.
But yes, we’ve learned the road gets tiring and can start to wear on you. Good calisthenics and stretching and also staying hydrated help make it through the show but also keep you loose and ready for the next stop.
POST SPLIFFS.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Grayson Hamm: The SoFar Sounds set we played at a historic bee garden in midtown St Louis last May was definitely a highlight. SoFar curates such a unique experience for the artist and fan and it was an honor being able to be a part of that.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Walt Blythe: Sheryl Crow… who doesn’t want to soak up the sun?
But in all honesty, a group that’s on fire with a crazy live show would be Mac Demarco. We’re super into his records, his humor, and his unpredictable live show.
For a back in the day group, I’d say the Eagles. They literally set a bar for the rock n roll lifestyle. That’s by no means us and probably completely opposite of us but you have to say that anyone would be about experiencing that for a little bit. They also had a few good hits. RIP Glen.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Walt Blythe: Find us out and about. Go see live music and support your local scenes. All your favs started from that. Check out our recent single releases and stay connected with us! We have some fun and interesting content to come and some tour dates over the rest of summer and closing out the year.