The Skating Party
“The Skating Party” is the recording project and moniker of Philadelphia multi-instrumentalist, Gregory James. The project began as an outlet to record accumulated songs during breaks from fronting other acts, Ohm Brellas, and Blue Sinatra.
Over the years, Gregory has worked with producers Brian McTear (Kurt Vile, Dr. Dog) and the Cobbs band (the War on Drugs, BRMC), and toured through the states. In 2013, the Skating Party released their second album “Done with Errors,” as a follow up to 2012’s “Pinbot Wizard.” Both records leaned heavily on Prince-esque synths, vintage Linn Drum beats, and hook-laden guitars in the like of the Cure and Cocteau Twins.
The third, and most current, full length album, “Drowning the Electric Boy,” was released in late 2014. The songwriting emphasizes more reverb soaked vocal melodies, dreamy guitar lines, and both live and programmed drumming.
The first single, “Swimmer,” was added to the “Gaze Mixtape,” at Cassette-Rewind, a featured download at “Largehearted Boy” and “Faronheit” blogs, and song of the day at KDHX 88.1 St. Louis. This past June, the “Colorwheel Compilation LP” was released by label imprint, “Hidden Gem Record,” featuring the Skating Party and 8 other acts from around the globe. It is currently getting spins on True Vinyl radio, and making its way to various blog posts such as “Austin Town Hall,” “Sounds Better with Reverb,” and “Abduction Radiation,” to name a few.
ARTIST: The Skating Party
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide
to sign up?
Artist: I first heard of the site through various artist on my Twitter feed
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you
decide to become an artist?
Artist:
I grew up in South Jersey. I played in multiple bands since I was a 13. I
was fortunate enough to play CBGB’s before it’s closed. About 15 years
ago, I move to Philadelphia and continued playing in bands and releasing
records on my own.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your
inspiration behind it?
Artist:
I wanted to use a reference nostalgia, especially the 80s culture that I
grew up in, and I think “skating parties” in NJ is one of the best ways to
sum them up.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever
give your music away for free? Why?
Artist:
I am torn, because I do see the pro’s with finding out about new artist so
quickly, and I personally purchase the vinyl if the I like what I hear on
streaming sites. I do agree that it
definitely hurts artists monetarily as well. As sales of music diminish,
culturally, people do not feel music is an item worth purchasing. This
hurts artists that need to recoup recording costs to keep moving forward.
Original acts make next to nothing from touring and gigging locally, so it
is definitely going to attribute to the decline in “working artists.” On
the plus side, it will create more art for art’s sake, but leave less time
to create as there are few income streams.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any
smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Artist: I would say, learn your craft. Work hard at it, and always strive
to get better. Make sure you have a great “product,” that you believe in.
Also, keep putting out your own music. Eventually, someone will find it
and open the door when you keep knocking. Knock harder, or break down the
door.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you
handle that?
Artist:
Sure, everyone makes mistakes live, but the more you perform, the more you
learn how to cover them up, or turn them into something that looks
planned. That comes with experience. You see new artists having meltdowns
onstage and that is clearly a lack of live experience IMHO.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you
think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Artist:
I have toured, and econimcally, it is harder these days with rising
expenses and lack of merchandise purchases. My prior band, owned a short
bus that brokedown on the NJ Turnpike. Luckily we had a enough fans in the
area that picked us and all of our equipment up, so we made it to the
gig. Unfortunally we had to abandon the vehicle, known as “Cobra
Commander.” R.I.P.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What
is your usual songwriting process?
Artist: Mostly from feelings as opposed to specific experiences. I like to
be a little abstract when writing so the listener can apply the meanings
in there own way. I really like double entendre and hidden meanings in
songs
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you
use to share your music?
Artist:
I house everything at HiddenGemRecords.com, however, I utilize bandcamp,
facebook, twitter, and Soundcloud for artist pages, as well as Big Cartel
and CD Baby for online album sales.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find
on your mp3 player?
Artist:
I really don’t get embarrassed when it comes to music. I think you have to
own what you like, but it would probably be a song by a pop metal band
from the 80’s. Something with a huge hook, gated snare drum, and 10,000
layered vocals. Gotta love the 80s.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off,
what would you do? How would you spend it?
Artist:
I would invest that money into real estate to continue to grow and earn,
and updgrade my studio. I would take on more acts for my label imprint
“Hidden Gem Records,” and just be happy breaking even and releasing music.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Artist:
I use everything from Nuendo 4, Neve preamps, sampled and live drums, to
vintage Fender Rhodes, synths, and Space Echos, to get the sounds I’m
looking for in music. I am an avid believer
In as much live instrumentation as possible, from Drums, Bass, Guitars,
and keys.
The next addition to the studio is going to be the Neumann U87 for vocals.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best
for you?
Artist: Social Media is most vital (Twitter & Facebook)
I used to use mailing lists back in the day, then email lists, but I think
Facebook and Twiiter are most helpful in today’s environment. Also, trying
to get as much press through blogs, and wesbitse such as “Exposed Vocals.”
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or
Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Artist:
This is easy.
Prince.
1st Ave.& 7th St. Entry. (Minneapolis)
Why? Because he is Prince and he is legendary, and that venue is legendary
and is a stage size that I could definitely handle from experience.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to
talk about?
Artist:
I released my 3rd album titled, “Drowning the Electric Boy,” and now it’s
back to the drawing board with new material. I already have 2 tracks
finished for an end of summer relase. I am just looking at the most
creative way to release them as a single, 7 inch, LP, or perhaps another
compilation.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Artist:
This is hard, because I can’t picture myself not writing or recording, but
if I was absolutely incapable, I would probably be helping others from a
producing standpoint.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What
was going through your head?
Artist:
My first album was Thriller by Michael Jackson, and I was obsessed. There
was nothing like it at the time, needless to say I had the matching jacket
shortly thereafter.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while
trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Artist:
I try to utilize the technology available. If I am at work and I have a
song idea, I can easily use my iPhone to get the idea started and re-visit
it when I get home or on the weekend. Those aspects of technology compared
to what I was using when I started are light years apart from another.
Things are much better for the working artist from a technological
standpoint.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Artist:
This month, we released a Vinyl Compilation, “the Colorwheel Compilation
LP,”It features:
TEEEL (synth recs)
the Death of Pop (art is hard)-Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
Tape Waves (bleeding gold)
the Arctic Flow (dufflecoat)-Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
the Skating Party (hidden gem),-Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
Moon Pollen (synth recs), -Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
Night Panther (small plates)-Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
Young Pharaohs (chill mega chill)- EXCLUSIVE SINGLE RELEASE
and Roman Ruins (gold-robot)-Vinyl EXCLUSIVE
Go get it here: www.hiddengemrecords.com
