This week’s Pick of the Week is Gil Grand‘s new single “Groove”. Top Country got the chance to chat with Gil about “Groove”, songwriting and what fans can look forward to in 2014! Read the interview below and take a listen to “Groove” here.
Q
Tell us a bit about your new single, “Groove”.
A
To be real honest, when Adam and I got together to write that morning we just decided we weren’t going to try and dream up some beautiful melody that would be a “classic” or change the world with amazing, well thought-out lyrics, — we wanted to write something light and fun that would compete with what was having a lot of success on the radio. The type of songs that Florida Georgia Line would cut, or maybe Luke Bryan. Something their fans would appreciate and would make them want to turn up their radio. Thus, “Groove” was what happened that day. The feedback has been so good that I thought ‘man, maybe I’ll release that one myself.’ I still hope Florida Georgia Line cuts it one day because we sure had them in mind when we wrote the song.
Q
You co-wrote the song with Adam Fears, what was the songwriting process like?
A
I write a lot with Adam. I think Adam is a great singer and I think he’s a star. He’s Texas through and through and although he’s more rockin’ than I’ll ever be, he has a real “country” heart and is great with lyrics and melodies both. We’ve always just clicked. He’s releasing singles down in the states and doing a lot of shows, so I hope one day everybody will know who Adam Fears is.
Q
What’s a specific line or lyric from it that you particularly love?
A
Well, the song is about as close to rapping as I’ll ever get, but at the same time, it’s a sexy song. I love the chorus and those lyrics are:
I love the way you groove
Keepin’ the rhythm nice and smooth
Nobody rocks me like you do
So go on and bust your little moves
I’m all about the way you groove
I had a lot of fun writing this and I think you can hear a lot of personality in my vocal. I don’t think you can listen to it and not want to sway, bounce or bob your head.
Q
Are there any words you love or hate to use in songs?
A
I don’t know if I’ve been asked that before. There are definitely words that aren’t poetic like ‘crust,’ ‘mold,’ ‘stanky’ ‘infected’ ‘ sewer’ ‘toilet’ – but, Brad Paisley could probably rhyme up something clever with these words. Ha ha!
Q
The most annoying thing about songwriting is….?
A
I love writing, but sometimes I do tend to get a big, pounding headache when I’m going on the 5th hour of writing a song and still haven’t smoothed out the first verse and chorus. That’s annoying. Or, it can be a little annoying if I am totally into an idea and I think I’m with the perfect co-writer for it and then they shoot it down and just not interested. Of course, that works both ways.
Q
What else can fans look forward to in 2014?
A
You know, I miss connecting with fans like I use to. Me and my brother, Jake, are tossing around the idea of doing some acoustic gigs together and we even have an agency feeling the waters out. That would be a lot of fun to re-connect with old friends. And, I want to definitely release a 6 or 7 song EP this year. We had some good success with “Baby Knows A Lot About Leavin’” last year and I’ve written a whole lot of new songs, so I know I’ve got some great ones to share with everybody.
