Gold Hearts and Blue Grass- Talking Shop With Karl Seltzer of Greenland is Melting

Gainesville is known for its burgeoning music scene, but even with it being the birthplace of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ signature heartland rock, southern charm isn’t exactly something The Sunshine State exudes. Nonetheless, Gainesville trio Greenland is Melting have managed to pool together all the whiskey soaked soulfulness one needs to say, Our Hearts Are Gold, Our Grass is Blue, as the band’s debut full-length proudly proclaims.

Formed around 2007 with Karl Seltzer on banjo, Will Dueease on stand up bass and a drummer, an eventual lineup change brought in Shaun Pereira on acoustic guitar, and added suitcase drums from Dueease, making for the non fuss arrangement the band plays with today. With a 7” split due out on Paper + Plastick Records this fall, the band has been touring the new songs and preparing to record demos for a second full-length. Until the new material rears its head, curious new listeners can satiate themselves with a free download of Our Hearts Are Gold, Our Grass is Blue through bandcamp.

The charm of Greenland is Melting lies in the earnest modesty of their sound. Part of that may be because the banjo is the most unassuming instrument around (resisting that stringy drawl is like saying you don’t like Matthew McConaughey- you can make your point all you want, but we know you’re lying to yourself.) but more so it falls on the fact that these three give off an astute sense of camaraderie. With all three members contributing vocals, the sense of harmony found on this record goes farther than the steely twang in every chorus. From the rambling lifestyle of “From City to Town” to the raucous build of “Blood on the Banjo” as they threesome belts, “I know/ If there’s blood on the banjo tonight/ then I really must have been/ Doing something right” Greenland is Melting feels like a band that truly means every note.

Now, comparisons to The Avett Brothers are both abundant and inevitable, though these Floridians are slightly less polished than thenewly booming band. While in some instances that similarity tiptoes the line between being akin to and totally appropriated from, by and large Greenland is Melting seem to be a little less love sick than the brothers Avett.  Lines like, “I’m sick of singing all these songs for me/ So I think that I’ll sing this one for you” in “No More Apologies” might be of the serenade persuasion, but tracks like “Everyone Wants to Go to Heaven but…” and “No One Wants to Die” take their storylines elsewhere.

In its entirety, Our Hearts Are Gold, Our Grass is Blue is easily one of the most charismatic records to come up on Reviewsic’s radar. The infectious allure of mandolin and the utter enthusiasm displayed in the trio’s vocals makes it impossible not to nod along to, and we’ll put our money on first time listeners feeling a sudden urge to take up playing the spoons or jug blowing. Don’t worry, this is perfectly natural- just put on your ten gallon hat, chew some straw, and go with it.

Banjo extraordinaire Karl Seltzer recently spoke with Reviewsic about the band’s plans, the most memorable concert he’s ever seen, and how he feels the band has grown over the years.

Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?

Karl Seltzer: Hmm, for me probably Ryan Adams, The Avett Brothers and Wilco.

Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?

Karl Seltzer: I wish I was able to play the piano.

Reviewsic: What are some of the songs/bands/albums on your summer playlist this year?

Karl Seltzer: There have been some awesome albums come out this year! I’d say the new Against Me!, Blacklist Royals, Coffee Project, the new Gaslight Anthem, new Delta Spirit, a local band called Douglas Shields and the X-Factors, Frank Turner, Chuck Ragan’s newest and basically anything that has come out recently on P+P.

Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?

Karl Seltzer: I would love to work/tour with the Avett Brothers. I think our band is somewhat similar to theirs and they have the ability to play to thousands of people each night and that would be some incredible exposure for GIM.

Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?

Karl Seltzer: I’d have to say The Flaming Lips at the House of Blues in Orlando, FL a few years back. I’ve seen them a few times and each has been insane but, seeing them in an indoor setting and in such a small room (by small I mean not at a huge outdoor music festival) was awesome. Probably the best show I’ve ever been to.

Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?

Karl Seltzer: Coffee Project, Douglas Shields and the X Factors, Michael Claytor, Lindsey Mills, Eight Ghosts…Gainesville’s music scene is really starting to pick up steam.

Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Karl Seltzer: The Avett Brothers cause seeing them every night would never get old and we are pretty similar to them.

Frank Turner cause he is as talented as he is nice. Seriously, the dude is a grade A gentleman.

And I’ll say The White Stripes for Shaun cause he’s been a huge fan of theirs forever and Jack White seems like a cool dude.

Reviewsic: Tell us about the Our Hearts Are Gold, Our Grass Is Blue - is there a particular concept or creative direction behind it? What was the process of making the album like?

Karl Seltzer: Well, some of the songs were nearly a year old when it was finally recorded. And most of the songs on the album were written about experiences we had as a band over that year so, it’s very personal. Up until that point, all of our recordings were done byme in my bedroom and bathroom and we knew that we wanted to make it sound bigger and better than what we had until that time. So, we enlisted the help of Rob McGregor and made the album over the course of about a week. Brought in some close friends (David and Jon) and it all sorta just fell into place…and we were really happy with how it turned out. Still are happy with how it turned out but, at this point, we all know that we can do a lot better and are gonna make sure the next full length goes over and above everything we have done.

Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?

Karl Seltzer: Completely different. If you saw our first show and our most recent one, you’d laugh. Let me leave it at that.

Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?

Karl Seltzer: Gainesville house shows. Tallahassee, FL. And any city in North Carolina are probably are most favorite.

Reviewsic: What are a few items essential to your “tour survival kit”?

Karl Seltzer: An essential tour must is not eating fast food all the time. It makes you feel like shit and everyone gets grumpy. I like to bring a bag of apples to snack on and Will likes to bring his “bird food.” (Bird food is a mixture of peanut butter and honey with sunflower seeds…then that mixture on crackers)

Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year?

Karl Seltzer: Well, we will definitely have another full length and a split within the next year…and I wouldn’t be surprised if we have another release of some sort in there as well. And touring. Lots of touring.

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