Who is Gracetown?

The boy band that is slowly grabbing the local Cape Town scene's attention.

Photo cred: Charlie Jay Photography

Last month I had the opportunity of sitting down with these local lads to talk about why they are becoming the hip and happening boy band and if we might see them belting up alongside the likes of Beatenberg soon. Gracetown consists of 4 guys namely; Ethan & Eckard Salo, Jethro Tait and Jericho Hendricks. Irrespective of their slow-brewing fame, they still are very humble and down to earth and have managed to keep their friendship on a strong foundation whilst still making good music to capture the locals musical tastes.

This what went down when we had a group chat at one of the local coffee shops in Woodstock, Cape Town.

The L.A Dosage: How did you guys meet and how did the band end up coming together?

Eckard Salo: We started off as friends from way back and then all came together in church.
Jethro Tait: Grace pretty much inspired us to come together as one.

The L.A Dosage: How did you guys as individuals meet?

Gracetown: Childhood friends and some of us met in high school.

The L.A Dosage: How has the hometown music been doing?

Jethro & Ethan: It has been booming like crazy. The support has really been overwhelming.

The L.A Dosage: What do you guys hope to accomplish down the road? Few years time?

Gracetown: We definitely hope to achieve an album.

The L.A Dosage: Are your songs a collaborative effort?

Gracetown: Yes, we all put in effort individually wherever we can, and where needed.

The L.A Dosage: Do you guys have a main songwriter?

Gracetown: Yes, Jethro and Jericho are our main songwriters and the rest of us then contribute.

The L.A Dosage: How would you guys describe the evolution of your band's sound?

Jethro: I would say more to the contemporary rock side.

Gracetown at

 Electric Vines 2014 with Jeremy Loops

The L.A Dosage: Which instruments do the band's individual artists play?

Ethan: Drums & vocals
Eckard: Guitar
Jethro: Rhythm guitar & keys
Jericho: Bass & keys

The L.A Dosage: Which famous musicians do you guys admire and why?

Jethro: I would say James Bay- he has a similar life story and has an amazing voice. He also has a contemporary rock sound.

Ethan: Definitely Beatenberg- I have immense respect for them in the industry and musically. They have an African feel to their sound and have made it acceptable and their guitar sounds is rather catchy.

Eckard: Matthew Mole with no doubt. His lyrics are definitely worth listening to.

The L.A Dosage: Which famous musicians have you guys learned from?

Jethro & Eckard: John Mayer.

Ethan: I would say I have learnt from Chris, my music teacher and he is a drummer too. Eric Moore and Mike Johnston.

Jericho: Abraham

Brothers for life. Friendships in song

The L.A Dosage: Who actually inspired you guys to start a band?

Gracetown: Musical influences around us and we also have passion for music. The passion so fiery that its actually what we want to make a living out of.

The L.A Dosage: If you could play in any other band, which one would it be?

Ethan: Shark Puppy
Eckard: Israel & The Breed and play alongside John Mayer
Jethro: Coldplay
Jericho: Jeremy Loops. Definitely!

The L.A Dosage: What are your fondest musical memories as a band? In your house? Neighbourhood or town?

Gracetown: Definitely Battle of the Bands. When we played at Aces and Spades in town. That was quite an opener for opportunities and people saw our potential as a band.

The L.A Dosage: You guys have obviously performed in public. Describe these occasions.

Gracetown: Yes we have performed in various places so far. On TV we have performed on Expresso and HecticN9 which was quite nerve-wrecking as this was live. And on radio we have performed on #Hashtag radio and UCTRadio.

Gracetown

The L.A Dosage: Name your top 5 favourite bands?

Gracetown: Wow! This is difficult there are so many great bands out there that we really like.

Ethan: One Direction, Matthew Mole, Ensemble, Shark Puppy and Beatenberg. In that order.
Eckard: Beatenberg, John Mayer, Israel and The Breed, Jonathan Butler and Coldplay.

Jethro: Muzart, GoodLuck, Beatenberg, Matthew Mole and Coldplay.

Jericho: Coldplay, John Mayer, London Grammar, Ed Sheeran and Ed Howard

The L.A Dosage: How would you guys as a band advise aspiring musicians?

Gracetown: Work hard. Practice makes perfect. Work on your craft and never give up. Dreams do come true.

Well this is what dreams are made of. It was such a great honour meeting the 4th member of the group, Jericho Hendricks as the other 3 I had known back in high school. The future is well bright ahead of them and with the friendship this band has, nothing can break this bond. It can only work for the better.



To know more about the band and its members and where they are playing; you may do so on the following platform:

Facebook: Gracetown


Till next time. . .