-Interview- (1/3/24)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "God's Gift" and is there any meaning behind it?
We have all been absorbed in music since we were very young. When I heard bands like Black Sabbath, AC/DC and so many others I became obsessed. Music was the only thing important to me - still is! it really is true that music chooses you and not the other way around.
Any artist's style develops as the result of their environment. Some of these factors you control, some not. I don't think most folks consciously try to develop a sound, It just happens. Even if you did go chasing after some sound in your head it is going to come out different. I guess for God's Gift the sound develops from playing and listening. Things we like we stash. Things we don't we trash.
The name comes from a sarcastic English expression. For example, someone might describe a certain woman who is very confident of her sexual attractiveness by saying "that girl thinks she is God's Gift to man". There is double meaning in that "Gift" actually means poison in the German language. But really, we just liked the way it sounded. I dunno, What does Def Leppard mean? Just sounds cool right?
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
What people get from music is different to each individual. I think a good percentage are looking for a sense of belonging or community. We are not playing music trying influence anybody in any direction. We do what we do because we are obsessed with it. We can't help it. If somebody, somewhere connects with us and can feel what we're all about that's just icing on the cake.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Kick Ass Rock n Roll!! It's hard to describe music. If we could, maybe we wouldn't have to learn to play - we could just talk about it. haha
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
We'll play with anyone anytime. We just did some shows with The Boss Hoss and it was awesome. They are really a great bunch of guys. It would be cool to tour with some of our friends like the Supersuckers or Airbourne. The hangovers might be a problem though! Of course everyone wants to do the big shows with AC/DC or something like that.
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
It makes me appreciate the chance to play and be among people more than ever. Thankfully, the worst of it has passed and concerts are back on again. Obviously both fans and musicians really suffered not only from the disease itself but from the restrictions surrounding Covid. Human beings don't do well in isolation..
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
It's great. There are tons of great new bands and plenty of the old ones are still doing amazing stuff. I think some people think Rock is in decline because it is not represented in the Pop charts like it once was. Who cares? Let the Taylor Swifts of the world have the mainstream. Their music is designed for that. There are plenty of great bands out there so get up, get out and go see a few everybody!
7. What's the current music scene like there in Germany/Spain/USA?
I think the live music scene is a little bit healthier in Europe as compared to America. That is why we see so many Americans playing in Europe and not visa versa. I know so many Americans who have nice careers in Europe and can't get a gig back home. There seems to be more opportunities in Europe.
On the other hand, America is still teeming with talented musicians. Go down to Broadway in Nashville any night and there are literally hundreds of great players laying it down live in the space of a couple blocks.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
It's a complete travesty. Artists have always gotten a bad deal and now is worse than ever. I doubt things will change anytime soon. Musicians and bands have to find other ways of feeding themselves. If you are not playing music for the love of it I think you will get frustrated pretty quickly.
9. What's next for God's Gift?
We have a few different things in the works right now but basically we are doing more of the same, which is writing and recording our tunes and playing them live every chance we get.
