Girl at the Rock Shows

Photo credit: Savannah Shealy

If you’ve been sleeping on Brooklyn-based Gooseberry, you have been doing it all wrong. This band’s brand new EP ‘Validate Me’ just came out and it absolutely demands your attention. Don’t believe me, check out any of these tracks and try not to fall in love. For me, it was the single “Orbit” that really had me hooked. It was infectious and so full of life while also being full of passion and conviction. I was super excited when I was given a chance to chat with Asa from Gooseberry about anything and everything.

What’s your favorite menu item at Taco Bell?
Depends on the time of day, number of people, substances involved… but generally I’m good for a Crunchwrap supreme or a Doritos Locos taco. If I need to pick one, I’m going with Doritos. I got into college because of Doritos (seriously). Doritos are life. (Please sponsor us, Doritos)

Everyone says that every crowd is their favorite but, what city has the best audience and why is it Minneapolis?
Ahh I wish we could attest, but alas, Gooseberry has yet to play in Minneapolis (braces for impact). I’ve been to Minneapolis though and it’s a wonderful city. Friend of the band Ryan Genhardt is based there so the scene must be lively. Would love to get out there as a band. As for best audience, our hometown NYC shows are hard to beat. Cleveland was an absolutely blast though, and Philadelphia always shows up for us. And have I mentioned Boston and DC yet?…

Favorite lyrics of all time?
“Na na cheechee wah wah bah bop” – Smushie (song is Mr. Number One)

If you were to rob a bank, what would be the song playing in the getaway car as you escape?
Ironically, while Audioslave’s “Getaway Car” is one of my favorite all time songs, I think it would be a terrible getaway song. Whereas Jesus Christ Pose by Soundgarden would be great. However, the perfect getaway song? Coconut by Harry Nilsson.

When playing Monopoly- who is the banker, who is what “icon”, who is the first to flip the board, etc.?
Hmm this is a tough one as we’ve never actually played Monopoly as a band. I’d say Will is the boot/shoe thing because he’s a runner. I’m probably the top hat as front guy / ringleader business guy of the operation. Evin is probably… the iron? Because his performances are steamy hot? And also because he’s the only one who uses the iron in any hotel we stay in?

What’s your favorite method of listening to music (i.e. vinyl, cassette, 8-track, etc.)?
Love my vinyl. I’ve got my aunt’s old record player from her college days that my uncle refurbished and gifted to me. For my money, the best way to listen to and appreciate music. But to be honest, I’ll take music anyway I can get it.

If you could compare yourself to a bird, what bird would it be and why?
Not a clue, but I know it wouldn’t be an oriole or blue jay. Go Yankees.

Have you ever been able to finish a Rubik’s Cube?
I have! When I was a kid, Rubik’s cubes were huge at camp. Classically overcompetitive, I learned how to do it and tried to get my time down to minutes. So yeah, some pretty serious rockstar shit.

Any plans on traveling to the midwest?!
We were just in town! And by town, I mean the Midwest. On our big headline tour this summer, we made our debuts in Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. That’s definitely the farthest west this band has gone and it was awesome. We also got two off days in Cleveland after 10 straight shows and it was a godsend. Perfect weather for jumping 30 feet into a quarry, can’t ask for much more. Hope to be back to the Midwest real soon.

What’s the worst concert you’ve ever been to and why?
Sheesh, brutal question haha I think I’m a tough critic but at some level I’m always rooting for anyone who steps on a stage because (usually) you need to brave so much bullshit just to get there and do the damn thing.

“Orbit” is a song off of your new EP ‘Validate Me’. Is it your favorite track on the record? If so, why? If not, which is your favorite?
You’re not supposed to say you have a favorite child, right? I’ll say I wasn’t surprised Orbit was the song most folks seemed to gravitate towards. (it’s probably Amaretto or Validate Me, though)

The swagger here (on Orbit) is absolutely amazing and it makes me want to see this live so badly. What has been your favorite live show and why?
Come see us! We’d love to have ya. Favorite show to date has gotta be the Validate Me release show at Bowery Ballroom. Biggest headline show we’ve ever done, and in NYC with all our friends and family. We’re planning to release the audio and video from the night so keep an eye out.

If “Orbit” was covered by a current top-40 pop song, who would you want it to be?
Miley Cyrus is the only correct answer. Absolutely crushed the Chris Cornell tribute, always has my respect from that. Maybe Olivia Rodrigo too, she’s got the rockier Paramore thing going on (Ms. Hayley Williams gets first dibs though, of course).

What came first when it comes to “Orbit”, the lyrics or the instrumentation?
Typically, the music always comes first when I’m writing. I’ll be noodling on the guitar or keyboard and stumble backwards into an idea. Orbit was one of those blessed moments where the whole song kinda came into form seemingly within a few minutes. Once I had the main riff and the structure, finding the root of an idea that I wanted to write about helped inform the lyrics. Then, I show it to the guys at practice and we work through the arrangement and they add their parts. I’d say Orbit is an anomaly. I wish all songs came together as seamlessly as that one.

Is there anything else you want people to know about “Orbit”?
I want people to know that the song wouldn’t be the song y’all know and love without our producer and engineer, Colin Bryson, our mix engineer extraordinaire, James Meslin, and our mastering maestro, Jennica Best.

I know this EP just came out but do you have some new music in the works at all?
Yes! We’ve got a whole album’s worth of new songs that we’ve been playing on the road, plus a few others in the works. One of the perks of being on the road for a month and a half is getting to try out new material on different audiences and gauging what works and what doesn’t. It’s been a trip to see folks react to the new new stuff and even have people come up to us after the show to ask about one of the new tunes. We’ll be heading into the studio over the next couple of months to track and then hopefully have something to share come early 2024.

You’re in love, right?! I mean, come on. Asa not only has finished a Rubik’s cube before but also loves a good crunchwrap because, well, who doesn’t?! But seriously, all joking aside, Gooseberry is a band to watch and I was so honored to be able to spend some time with them while they answered my quirky little questions.

Make sure to check out their brand new EP ‘Validate Me’ (which is out now) and make sure to show them some love on their socials so you see all of the latest and greatest from them and don’t miss a chance to check out this amazing band live!

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