An Interview With The Synth Pop Duo, THE 10X!

Posted On 24 May 2018

Tag: All Access, All Access Music, All Access Music Group, Artist Interview, Ben Schuller, Jeff Gingrich, Parker Moore, The 10X, Think of Me

The 10X’s newest single “Think Of Me” was released everywhere on April 27th.

You can check it out here- https://soundcloud.com/the10x/think-of-me/s-9a4XQ

“Think of Me” is an all encompassing retro vibe with a distinctly classic pop aesthetic. Hints and spurts of the 1980’s permeate the melody and coinciding arrangement, with glittering synths filling in the space between thoughtful lyrics and a rhythm that pounds like a nervous heartbeat. Like the music itself, the song is deeply reminiscent, with lyrics that question whether a past lover ever thinks of them, while clinging to the memories of the love that once existed between them. If only for a moment. From the pounding rhythm to the lyrical exploration of a past relationship, this track is bound to take you back in time, one way or the other.

The 10X was inspired by an equally epic 900-mile drive. A drive that resulted in the purchase of a 1982 synthesizer for songwriter Jeff Gingrich, a purchase that inspired a slew of songs that have molded the unique pop soundscape that became The 10X sound.

After releasing a three-song debut EP in 2016, the band moved from Flint, Michigan to Nashville, TN, giving them a whole new pool of talent to collaborate with. One of those people was Gringrich’s longtime friend, Ben Schuller, who contributed to their Spotify “Best of 2017” single “Skull and Bones,” and the newest addition to the band, drummer Parker Moore. With their name gaining traction on the independent music scene, not to mention an unforgettable new single, 2018 is poised to be the year The 10X make their mark on indie-pop music scene.

Connect With The 10X Here:

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCpFexdG5UhmABtun_iT6GRQ

Learn more about The 10X in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So how has 2018 been treating you all so far? What is one musical goal that you have had for this year?

JG : Thanks for having us! It’s been an uphill battle but it’s good now that the new song is out. Our focus has been to be consistent this year.

PM : We had a complicated start to the year trying to get this song out. Our goal has been to release more music this year so we’re off to a good start.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this band together? Has anything surprised you about it all so far?

JG : I started The 10X in 2015 and Parker had taken on the role of touring drummer in 2017. The more we worked together the more I think it made sense to combine forces.

PM : I remember a specific phone call almost a year ago now when I still lived in Michigan where Jeff and I first discussed me being a member. Since that point, it has surprised me how well we have collaborated.

How difficult was it to come up with a band name? What other names were you considering?

JG : I don’t pride myself on any past band names… it’s also funny because I had no other names in mind when I stumbled on ‘The 10X’ and it took about 5 seconds for me to decide that I’d use that for the songs I was working on.

How do you think being from your hometown has influenced your sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group?

PM : I’m from a small town where there was no variety in the local bands – I always wanted to do something different. I knew that I had something more and wanted to be involved in what is happening in these other places that felt so distant from where I grew up – New York, Nashville, LA.

JG : When I started college I realized that every day I was driving down the same street that my parents drove on when they were rushing to the hospital to have me. I felt like ‘despite playing music for years already.. I’m in the same place I was before I was even born.’ I think the sense of yearning for something more and different has pushed me to write songs that have a lot of soul searching, yearning, and are the best I can produce.

How did moving from Michigan to Nashville change up with your overall sound?

JG : We talked together when Parker moved down here about being unconventional in our approach to writing and after working on a song we weren’t too pleased with, we talked about how we could do things differently but retain “our sound.”

PM : I moved after Jeff so once I came down I was able to offer outside perspective on the songs we started working on.

Let’s talk about your newest track, “Think Of Me.” What was the inspiration for this song?

PM : Jeff and I got in our practice space right when I moved here and I started playing what is now the beat of think of me. That random idea ended up becoming the entire song. It inspired Jeff so we kept going over it and finished the structure of the song that night.

JG : It actually does amaze me how clear the vision was for the song right away. I heard so many parts that made it to the final song during that session despite only playing the bass. Lyrically – the song is fairly literal. The chorus happened maybe a day or two after the music and was written based off of some ideas and memories and short poems. The verses were a little tougher – I think I wrote one set, then Parker and I wrote two more sets together before we settled on the last draft.

How do you think it compares to other music that you have released?

PM : Jeff and I have discussed this a lot. The ideas prior to Think of Me were good but we felt unsatisfied with them. We didn’t figure out why that was until we finished this song. We were going with what was safe before and Think of Me marked progression in the band’s sound.

JG : I’ve had a few people tell me that this is the best song yet. I definitely appreciate that.

When do you hope to release more new music and full collection of new songs?

JG : We’re already writing even though we’re in the middle of this release!

PM : We’re hoping to drop 2 more releases this year.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

PM : There’s nothing like playing a great show. It’s an instantly gratifying high. However the songwriting process is so grueling and long but so much more rewarding when you finally push through and come up with something you’re proud of.

JG : I love being in the studio – I record, engineer, and mix our tracks so I definitely am happy in that space. I don’t know if I’d say I’d prefer one over the other though because we make the music to connect with people.. you get to make something from yourself and give it to people.. they take it and make it about themselves. You get to see that happen on stage. That’s inspiring.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you would like to tell our readers about?

PM : We’re working on Michigan, Chicago, and playing more in Nashville.

How do you think being a musician and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?

JG : It’s a lot of work really. The work is rewarding and feels good but sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of that.

With everything going on in the world today, how do you think your music is a reflection of it all? And if you don’t think it is at all, why is that?

PM : The 10X music is personal and grounded. It isn’t directly related to current events but it’s stuff that is relatable in everyone’s life.

JG : I don’t know if more things are happening in the world today or that we have better access to news at a moment’s notice. I will say that a lot of hard topics have been pushed into the light and that’s great. The songs stay in a place where they explain a literal and emotional experience of life events. I think that’s how I can sing something I believe, where I can push myself and someone can feel what I’m saying. They too can feel that and relate back within their specific situation.

Do you find that the music being made today in general is reflecting these politically and culturally charged times?

PM : Generally no, but there are always songs (like This is America by Childish Gambino) that really characterizes racial issues in America. That music is important but it’s not the majority of what is being put out.

How important do you think social media has been to this band? Do all you help to maintain all your sites or is one of you more into it all? Or do you rely on your PR/management team to handle it all?

JG : It’s been vital for us. We have found a great way to find our fans.. and it’s amazing because a lot of them have been with us a year or more now. I’d really consider some of them as friends.

PM : We maintain all of our socials. We like to respond to our fans and engage with people who are invested in us.

Who would you love to work with in the future?

JG : I’d love to work with Emile Haynie, Jack Antonoff, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, or Anthony Gonzales of M83.

Who are some of your favorite artists right now?

PM : I’ve been hooked on the newest Lorde record since it came out. Recently, I’ve been listening to the new Half-Noise record and oddly enough, the Tarzan soundtrack. Phil Collins is dope.

JG : I have been listening to Grimes, King Princess, and Riah. I keep Bleachers on permanent rotation though.

What do you think would be a dream collaboration for this group?

JG : Really getting to work with any of those producers would be the dream collab.. add in a chorus from Lana and that’s it.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

JG : I fall in love with songs that I can feel and relate to my life. I think that’s what makes a song good. If I can do that.. even if the meaning for someone else is a different, then the work is worth it.

PM : To me, what’s really special about music is that a great song can be like a cliffhanger ending to a movie. You get to decide for yourself what you take away.

What do you hope they take away from one of your shows?

PM : That we are passionate about the music we’ve created. We try to perform in a way that shows that.

JG : I hope they feel how it’s genuine. They are songs written about real things and feelings.. not for the sake of making a song but to release it in a beautiful way.

About the Author

Leah Brungardt (recently married) joined All Access Music Group in August 2011 and has been enjoying getting to know a new side of the music industry ever since. Having worked to promote radio stations in the past, seeing what makes a successful radio hit has been a thrill. As a lover of all genres of music, working at All Access Music Group is a perfect fit for Leah, and she loves learning about up and coming musicians as well. Most of her friends have come to rely on her for new music. Leah grew up overseas attending American international schools and attended The University of Arizona, where she earned a BA in Music Management. She roots for the Wildcats every chance she gets. Leah has been able to work at a variety of music-related jobs including several internships at small independent labels, ClearChannel Radio and Journal Broadcasting Group. She also spent time working retail at a store that specializes in vinyl, which was a lot of fun for her. Her favorite movie is Empire Records, so that makes perfect sense.

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