Peach Jam Podcast: Gringo Star

Credit: GPB

 

Gringo Star is the very definition of a working band. This band has been grinding it out for years: traveling in their van, making records, and playing shows whenever and wherever they can get them. Gringo Star's home base is Atlanta, they're featured on the 2023 Shaky Knees lineup, but they have also found a lot of success overseas.  

 

 

Jeremy Powell: So let's not gloss over the fact that you guys have been a working band since you said 2006, 2007. You played music before that as well. But as Gringo Star, you've been around since then and then you're kind of grinding it out because you've toured, you've been to Europe, you've come back. Like, what is that like?

Nick Furgiuele of Gringo Star: I think traveling and touring is like one of my favorite parts about playing, you know, being in a band and getting to play music for people and traveling and seeing new places. And with some of the first touring Gringo Star did was U.K. We had like the opportunity to open up this band toward like '07 or '06 in the U.K. and we kind of just made some connections with some promoters and people there. And it just kind of just we just keep taking opportunities that come and see where they lead, you know?

Jeremy Powell: So when you play at home in Atlanta and around Atlanta, how is that different than when you're playing overseas? Other than the travel, obviously. Because I got a feeling Mario is going to say something about that. It's a longer drive or a longer commute. 

Mario Colangelo of Gringo Star: No, no, no. 

Caption

Gringo Star and Jeremy Powell

Credit: GPB

Josh Longino of Gringo Star: For me, the audience is a different it's just a different kind of music. More music. Appreciate appreciative of the music kind of audience. Maybe they're not there to just like hang out in a scene or something. They come to watch the music

Mario Colangelo of Gringo Star: Or they actually come to dance. 

Peter Furgiuele of Gringo Star: I think also there's so many shows in the US all the time. Like in every city, there's so many shows going on, and I don't know for sure, but it seems like there might just be less happening in some of the places Europe we go. So when you do have a show like it's more like it feels like more of an event, kind of it people come out like, I don't know, here, it's just like. There's just shows every night at like multiple venues, you know. 

Jeremy Powell: So it's almost like we're spoiled over here with so much and so many options. 

Mario Colangelo of Gringo Star: There's just a lot more bands. 

 

Mario Colangelo of Gringo Star: I think Gringo Star is still willing to enjoy hand-to-hand combat out in the field, getting in the van. Just going and going and going and playing. Playing, playing. I think since I've been in the band, the majority of shows that we've played have been outside of the area of Atlanta. And I think that separates this band with a lot of other local bands is that it's the home base and it's our home. But the band's always tried to play outside of this area and always in the van going, going, going. So, you know, it just it does take a lot to do that. It's a lot of commitment to do it. And that that might be the difference, like with a lot of other bands, because you can't really do very much if you're not willing to expand beyond your local scene. But it's important to get that down first and then you can branch out. But a lot of people can't get to that point. 

Peter Furgiuele of Gringo Star: I think we've always tried to take advantage of any opportunity that came up. You know, our first show we ever played out of town was. It was before cell phones were so common. I remember we had like a phone in our hallway that rang. It was like this guy called from Texas and he was like, "Can you guys come play? We'll give you $300." We're like, Okay. 

Nick Furgiuele of Gringo Star: It's just El Paso, you know? 

 

 

 

 

The Peach Jam podcast from GPB features songs and stories from a variety of the incredibly talented and diverse bands and artists who call the Peach State home.

Recorded live in our GPB studios, you get a front row seat for the intimate musical performances and free-flowing conversation from a truly eclectic variety of Georgia musicians. You can find more at GPB.org/PeachJamPodcast — please download and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform as well.