STRANGE THEORIES – EXPOSED VOCALS INTERVIEW
Four piece rock group from Lafayette, LA, with strong influence from Alternative rock and Pop music. Formed in 2015, this quartet boasts powerful vocal melodies, swirling guitar lines and rhythms that are very reminiscent of modern alt-rock bands like The 1975 and Kings of Leon. Even with a steady rock aesthetic in their portfolio, they can quickly find themselves drawing from classic rock, blues and even R&B influences.
Gabe’s voice cuts through each song with memorable lyrics, catchy melodies and a pop sensibility that would garner quick attention for most radio listeners. Strange Theories has built up a loyal following in the South Louisiana region and they now have their eyes set up on national and international aspirations. With their big debut due out in later 2017, be on the lookout for this indie rock band on the rise.
Gabe also was on NBC’s The Voice in 2016 and was picked by Blake Shelton to be on his team. Blake’s comment: When you started singing, you sounded like such a freaking stud,” Shelton gushed. “You’re the guy I’ve been waiting for.”
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
We all grew up in south Louisiana, a very zydeco oriented world with not much appreciation for other genres aside from blues and country. The constant presence of music that envelopes Lafayette definitely gave us a reason to want to become musicians, but we all have our own reasons for wanting to play. As a group, our mutual love for music gave us the relationship we have today. Playing together has created our friendship and that drives us to continue to make music and perform with each other.
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?
Never stop trying no matter how many times you are told no, especially if theres doubt in your head that a gig or radio station is “too popular” to listen to a local act. Always be prepared to pitch your band to someone because you never know who you could bump into in a restaurant or on the street. Being in the right place at the right time is a huge part of where we are today, and preparation is the most important thing to have.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
everyone makes mistakes, the key is being able to shake them off and not let them disorient or distract us from continuing on with a song. Practice is extremely important, but sometimes we make mistakes that practicing simply wouldn’t have helped
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
we’ve never done a proper “tour” but we are always playing shows in our region and branching out to new fans around us.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
we’ve recorded in a couple different studios, but our next ep will be recorded at Wave Theory studio out of Lafayette Louisiana. Our first record was done at dockside studio, a legendary studio with all analog equipment near our hometown, but we are trying to get a more produced sound out of this ep that we know wave theory can get us!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Social media presence is an obviously important way to promote music in today’s world of technology, but also playlists on streaming platforms like Spotify and apple music can get your music to a captured audience open to hearing new things!
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
our dream show would be performing with the 1975 at the red rocks amphitheater. Red rocks is such an unconventional and unique venue that would be an amazing opportunity to perform at. The 1975 is one of our biggest influences that we share as a group, and stylistically they have created an amazing blend of rock and pop music that can’t be compared to very few, if any artists.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
we don’t want to spoil anything, but we do have a new ep coming out soon. Other than that we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Lane and Parker would be doing boring things like studying, Stephan would probably be hunting and fishing all the time, and Gabe would be raised as a normal American citizen being forced to conform society and be put through school to become a middle class worker.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
our fans should look to an evolution in our sound and image as well as production value. We are always trying to come up with ways to step out of the box and connect with people who love our music. Strange theories would not exist without all the love we have received from our hometown and we can’t wait to branch out to wider audiences!
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
we definitely want to shout out our parents for all of the support and help they’ve given us, as well as everyone who loves our music and has helped us get to where we are today!