by Mollie Rushmeyer
news@thenewsleaders.com
Though they may be young, the Sartell-based four-man group Guytano will release its debut album I Am Inside My Body on Friday, Dec. 9 with a soulful, polished sound ready for radios everywhere.
The open-invitation album release party with concert is set for 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Sartell High School auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door.
The band members (brothers Grant, 18, and Eddie Hamilton, 16) met Isaac Hesse, 19, and Jack Hebert, 18, when they were about the age of 10 and 11, and they began playing and practicing at the Hamiltons. What began as a hobby, holding concerts for their friends in the garage, covering the songs of alternative rock bands such as Coldplay, The Killers and Snow Patrol, quickly turned to a serious pursuit following a conversation with a Hamilton family member.
Paul Hamilton, who is Grant and Eddie’s father and band manager, recalls, “They (the band members) were sitting around talking with my nephew at about 13 years old. My nephew was saying how he liked to find music that relates to his life. Grant said he’d rather make music that relates to his life.”
That became the catalyst for Grant Hamilton, the lead vocalist and pianist, to begin writing and composing the music for Guytano. From there, the group stopped covering the songs of other bands and started performing all their own music based on circumstances from their lives and what inspires them. They spent many hours in the basement and garage honing their craft, working on original songs and analyzing the bands they admired.
“At first, we were terrible,” Grant said with a laugh, “But we studied their sound (bands such as Snow Patrol and Coldplay), their texture. It was never forced. We never said, ‘This is how our music has to sound.’ It came out naturally, how it was meant to be.”
As for the band’s name? Grant said it’s actually his cousin’s name. Guytano, his cousin, suggested they name the band after him ironically, but then everyone ended up liking it and Grant said, “It just kind of stuck.”
Writing the songs for their first album just flowed, Grant said. Initially, they planned to release just a few songs, but after an outpouring of creativity, they saw the potential for a bigger album.
When It’s Over is Grant’s favorite song on the album.
“That song,” he said, “came out of a place of worry and sadness. It’s a dark song, but I think it will always mean something to me.”
Eddie said he favors Send Me Something for the upbeat feel and the blended electrical programming and organic instrumentation.
The band went into the studio last July to begin the recording process. Much back and forth to perfect their work ensued. As far as balancing school with band practices and making their album, Eddie Hamilton says, “I have found it easy. I finish school work, then start working on the technological parts of our show.”
While Grant added, “The feeling that creating and playing music gives is one of the greatest feelings ever, in my opinion, but I also love learning.”
They worked with Aaron Ankrum at Aerial View Studios to record their album.
“It was a real joy working with Aaron,” Grant said, “He was almost like a fifth member and really added some good input. And by the end of it, he became one of our really good friends.”
The tracks were then mastered by Huntley Miller, who recently worked on the Bon Iver’s 22, A Million album.
“What I always wanted was to make someone’s favorite song,” Grant said.
From the positive feedback already rolling in about the band’s first two singles, which were released in advance to media, the St. Cloud State University radio station — KVSC 88.1 FM and iTunes— Grant just may get his wish.
“It’s fun to see what people think,” Grant said, “And we have to thank all the people from Sartell especially. We’ve had such support from the students and residents. So many have helped us and come out to see us.”
With a piano-driven, modern pop/alternative sound with a twist of nostalgia, Paul Hamilton says Guytano is already bringing together younger listeners as well as the young at heart.
When asked where they see the band in five years, both the Hamilton brothers said they still want to be living their dream, making music together.
“I want to make music with my best friends,” Grant said, “and play shows around the world for a living . . . because who wouldn’t want to do that?”
Their album, I Am Inside My Body, is available for advance order via iTunes, Spotify or by visiting the band’s website: www.guytano.com.
To keep up with the latest band news, announcements and tour dates, visit their social media sites.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guytanoband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GUYTANOMUSIC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Guytanoband/
Guytano band members include Sartell natives (from left to right) Eddie Hamilton, 16; Grant Hamilton, 18; Jack Hebert, 18; and Isaac Hesse, 19; who have played together since they were pre-teens. On Friday, Dec. 9, the alternative rock group will release their debut album I Am Inside My Body.
Three of the four members of Guytano practice on a garage roof – Grant Hamilton (left), lead vocalist, pianist, writer/composer; Isaac Hesse (middle) on the drums; and Jack Hebert (right) on lead guitar and back-up vocals. The fourth member, Grant’s brother, Eddie, plays bass and synthesizer.
To celebrate the release of the band’s first album, Guytano invites the public to an album-release party with concert from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Sartell High School auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.
