20 Questions with… Gregory and The Hawk

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FatCat records’ signing of Meredith Godreau was actually a happy accident. Whilst on business in NYC enjoying a few sociable drinks, Meredith appeared on stage with her band and captivated them in seconds. Although she’d been going under the moniker of Gregory and The Hawk since 2003 and achieving cult success on the blogosphere she had in fact no record deal and no manager. That soon changed after the performance, FatCat had her in a recording studio a month later which resulted in the staggeringly beautiful album Moenie & Kitchie. If you’ve not discovered the kooky charm of Meredith, wander over to her MySpace page for a listen – the songs will have you in their grasp in seconds, and whilst you’re listening you can get to know Meredith a little better below. She doesn’t give too much away mind you. But when trying to explain her own sound she couldn’t have said it any simpler or truer…

1. Describe your sound in 3 words.
Friction, Electricity, Quilty blanket.

2. What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?
It was a Kim Fox record, I was obsessed. It was a flea market but what meant more to me was the Madonna record my aunt bought me that was Greatest Hits. It was so great.

3. What’s the best cure for a hangover?
A sunny walk and a Bloody Mary

4. What’s on your rider?
Ok, now that I know what a rider is, I think… $12 and directions to a cool place in town.

5. How do you get ready for a live show?
Arm circles and tuning. Intense tuning – which will soon be forgotten in a blaze of out-of-tune whirls. It is nice to sit down with you people you’ll be playing with and say “hey, we’re going to play this show. We are all ready. It is nice”

6. What’s your favourite song to play live?
I like to play when it’s already warmed up and you’re ready for the end but it’s not there yet. So maybe the fifth song

7. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Tiny things.

8. Who would win in a fight, a stoat or a goat and why?
I would say stoat, though I know not what be a stoat

9. Who’s your favourite new band at the moment? Tell us a bit about them.
Mamie Minch has a very powerful live solo presence. She is loud and down home. www.myspace.com/mamieminch

10. Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Thora Birch, but only if it was lucky.

11. Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Blake Babies, Guided By Voices, Portishead, Robert Wilkins, No Doubt.

12. If push comes to shove, what is your all-time favourite album?
Pink Moon by Nick Drake

13. What’s your most memorable on the road story?
When I was riding with Jef Ratner, he is very sociable and also one of the most friendly people I have ever met – in Happy Valley, Oregon he met some tea vendors and was enjoying hot chai all weekend. It is such a good feeling to have fresh hot tea on a hillside with new people especially when you are away from home.

14. If your life flashed before your eyes, what would be the highlights?
Canoeing on the Charles River, roasting marshmallows in the foothills of the Adirondacks, riding the green line to Allston, playing open mics at strawberry fields, talking to Cory about skateboarding, dropping binoculars on the deck in Medfield.

15. What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Wait for things to change, and …no, but I should’ve….

16. If you had to leave a body part to science, what would it be?
Hands… forearms if necessary.

17. What’s the best book you’ve read and film you’ve seen in the last 6 months?
The Giver – I read that almost every year and it is always different and pertinent, as for film… what?

18. What three things could you not live without?
Walking, sky, fast moving.

19. Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I am a seasoned cross country runner, and I’ve watched Finding Nemo about 100-1000 times.

20. And finally, we’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Theme: Love Lost…
1. Small Factory – Valentine
2. Blake Babies – Lament
3. Lemonheads – Hannah and Gabi
4. Alice Coltrane – Govinda Jai Jai
5. Nick Drake – From The Morning

mp3:> Gregory and The Hawk: ‘Grey Weather’

Gregory and The Hawk on MySpace