Vinyl Thief is an electro-rock band from Nashville, TN. Easy on the electro, with a generous serving of rock. The band proves that Nashville music doesn’t have to come from the back of a cowboy’s pickup truck or from somewhere inside Jack White’s garage. It can come from dance parties in your neighbor’s basement. Or around your kitchen table, where your friends argue, “Who’s better: TV on the Radio or Arcade Fire?” Lead vocalist Grayson Proctor says, “In the past, people always equated Nashville with cowboy hats and rodeos. That’s all starting to change with new bands that aren’t afraid to take risks.” Releasing their debut EP, Control, in 2010, the band built a loyal following in Nashville and the Southeast. This group of four distinct personalities is for those of us who like a little juxtaposition. The band pairs energetic showmanship and shout-along choruses with intricate textures and rhythms. Vinyl Thief takes the raucous rock of Cold War Kids and combines it with the electronic flourishes of Phoenix. Click here to check out their song “Faces” on SoundCloud! Definitely worth a listen.
We caught up with Grayson Proctor, lead singer of Vinyl Thief, before their show with The Black Cadillacs and The Dirty Souls at Vinyl on Friday, Feb. 1st.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
When I was really young, my grandpa took me to see a barbershop quartet. The show was in a huge theater and was completely sold out. I don’t think that’s happened since.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
There’s a lot of favorite gigs. But one of our most fun and memorable shows was a house party we played this past New Year’s Eve. It was for some of our fans who have really become great friends and we played “Midnight City” by M83 when the clock struck midnight. Our next favorite gig is probably going to be played February 1st in Atlanta.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
This question would be different for every band member. One time, we all drove to Indiana to see Radiohead, which was, of course, amazing. If we’re being honest, I took my mom to see Celine Dion for her birthday one year…and it was pretty great.
Gig you would most like to play?
This one’s easy. We’ve always had a goal to headline the pyramid stage at Glastonbury. We’re not a band that’s afraid to say we’d like to play gigantic shows. It seems like it would be the biggest rush to play a show in front of an entire country, which is what Glastonbury seems like.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
Probably Radiohead, followed by Celine Dion, followed by us.
see Vinyl Thief open for The Dirty Souls and The Black Cadillacs at Vinyl, Friday. Feb. 1st!
