All summer long on All Things Considered, we've been telling stories of the music and musicians here in New Hampshire. Next, we'll listen to a band that takes inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder and Prince.
The Concord-based group goes by the name of Trade, and they've just released their first album, "Puzzle."
NHPR's Peter Biello spoke with the drummer and vocalist George Laliotis and guitarist and vocalist Scott Solsky.
NHPR: George, you’re playing drums and singing, which is unusual.
GL: Yes, obviously not on that recording. There’s separation there.
The multitrack?
GL: The multitrack, yeah. But at live shows I sing and play. I credit the ability to do that seamlessly to my old drum instructor who encouraged me to vocalize as I was practicing and vocalize as I was playing so there was sort of a fifth limb, so to speak, in my voice.
What’s the story behind the song, “IT Man?”
GL: It started as an instrumental idea that our keyboard player Matt Hogan came up with, and Scott and I thought it would be funny to write a song about him.
SS: So it’s about Matt.
GL: It’s about Matt and his journey from America and Japan and back again and his obsession with his Volvo and his kids.
SS: And his kids.
GL: He’s a great dad.
SS: And he works during the day as an IT man, which is where the title “IT Man” came from.
GL: This song is a testament to something that could start as a joke and become something kind of cool. It was really cool how it came together.
So as a band, where do you see yourselves going?
GL: Continuing to play as many gigs as we can and recording another album as soon as we can and writing material. I don’t think we really have any intention to anytime immediately go on tour or anything like that, but play somewhat locally to branch out in Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine…trying to get on some bigger bills as opposed to playing the bar scene.
You’ve avoided the bar scene?
GL: We’ve done it a little bit but we’re not trying to play every weekend just for the sake of playing a gig.
But why not play the bar scene? What’s wrong with that?
SS: The bar scene can be challenging when you’re not a cover band. We do some covers but when we perform live we play our originals. Depending on where we’re playing, we have folks who enjoy playing. If it’s a place where we’re not really known, it’s hard to get up there and play original music and keep people engaged.
That was George Laliotis and Scott Solsky of the band Trade. Listen for more of our Summer Music Series every other Friday on All Things Considered. And take a cue from Trade and add The Fearless Flyers to your summer playlist.
