THE SLEDGE GRITS BANDSalinas.., California(Unedited)
Interview by: Macavity
It would be easy to look at the group walk on the stage or see a photo and think it is just another band that has been “contrived” to be a talent showcase. Halfway through the first verse of a song you realize they may be young but these girls have amazing REAL talent! After hearing them we had to find out more about these fascinating sisters and what is going on with the band.
Hi girls! Thanks for taking some time to talk to MUEN today.
The Sledge Grits Band: Thank YOU for asking us to take the time.
MUEN: So with a name like that I would assume you are all definitely girls raised in the South. Where are you originally from?
TSGB: We are originally from Orange Park, Florida (south of Jacksonville). Kariel: Keiko and I were born in The Bay and Raised in the South. Mimi and Bo-Pah were both born in Florida. So we like say we are "Girls Raised in the Sun".
MUEN: How is it to work with your sisters and also do what you love which is playing music so well? Do you ever have any disagreements?
TSGB: We think it is awesome that we get to work together. We are each other's best friends. Of course we fight! But not ever about anything serious. Mostly about getting on each other's nerves because we spend so much time together.
MUEN: What made you decide to form a band to showcase your talents at such a young age?
TSGB: We were steered towards guitar about three years ago by our parents. They wanted us to have something positive to do when times were tough. We had just lost our 48 year old grandmother to breast cancer. Also, our father has multiple sclerosis and was having a major relapse. So we started to play to keep our mind off things. Bo-Pah-started on the bottom of a gumbo pot to keep time for us. She was our metronome.
MUEN: You have four sisters that are so talented in such different ways but all musically. Does this come from you being in a musical family?
TSGB: We are not part of a musical family. Our parents just really believe that music heals the soul. So they surrounded us around it from the time we were born. Although Mom has a great ear for music and key and she also wrote one of our songs. Dad has a lot of patience for sitting with Bo-Pah and teaching her what he learns by watching videos and listening to songs.
MUEN: Who manages all the press, the fans and the shows for all of you so that you can do your music and get to all these things?
Keiko and Kariel: Our parents do a lot of that. Recently we started working with some producers in Los Angeles who sets up appointments for us. We have a great support system of friends and family that help us get from day to day. But mostly our parents. Dad is a great tape gaffer and drum tech as well as boo boo kisser and photographer! (Laughs)
MUEN: You have been all over the states and have appeared on some pretty big shows that many bands would love the opportunity to have been on. What has been the most memorable appearance and why?
Keiko: Our most memorable appearance would probably be The Early Show on CBS. This show was special for us because we were able to break into a national market. It gave us some major exposure and made a lot of people aware of who we were and what we were doing.
MUEN: You are the youngest band to ever be endorsed and sponsored by Daisy Rock Guitars. How did that come about?
Kariel: Well we are definitely one of the youngest bands endorsed and sponsored by Daisy Rock. We were approached by the artist relations person who asked if we would like an endorsement. Mimi already had a Daisy Rock guitar and I guess someone suggested us for an endorsement. The rest is history.
MUEN: The Daisy Rock Guitars seem to be a perfect sponsorship for you and for them as it showcases great talent using guitars that are meant for ladies. Any plans to have a custom Grits guitar design?
TSGB: We will let Tish Ciravolo, the founder of Daisy Rock, tell you herself: Tish: We could totally do a custom Sledge Grits Guitar in the future. That would be really fun and interesting to see what the girls would be into doing, what they would like to see in a design and what they'd like it to sound like. These are the really fun aspects of having a girl guitar company - no one else can do it like we can! Sledge is definitely one of the youngest bands we endorse. And the Coolest. Bo-Pah: Mario De La Cruz makes me a custom stick with yellow grips! (Bo-Pah is also endorsed by Danmar Percussion, HiShaker, Swirly Gig and Key of Z frottoirs.
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MUEN: How would you describe your music to someone that has not heard it?
Mimi: We like to say it is Heart fronted by Mariah Carey or Aretha Franklin. Rock meets soul. We know those are big shoes to fill. But, our feet are growing fast.
MUEN: Are you ever compared to any other musical families and if so whom?
TSGB: The Jackson Five or Sister Sledge. Kariel: People like to compare Mimi to young Michael. Because she is so little and we are a family band, we get that one a lot.
MUEN: Who is the coolest person that you have met since the band started?
Keiko, Kariel and Mimi: BB King! He is such an icon and legend. He gave us great advice about performing all styles of music. He said "Don't box yourself into any one style, because then the world will not take anything else you do seriously." He also told us bananas and cheese are a good combo. Not sure if we will try that! (Laughter) Bo-Pah: Cindy Blackman (drummer for Lenny Kravitz for over 10 years). I got to give her a pair of MY drumsticks! She plays drums so good and she has hair like me!
MUEN: Are you planning to release a CD soon of your great music?
Keiko: We are working on that with music producers right now!
MUEN: A lot of people may think that the music is written for you but I understand all of it is written by the band. Who does write the songs and how are they written?
Keiko: I write most of the songs. I write lyrics first. Then I pick up the guitar and put music to it. Kariel: We have all written a song that is in our set. Even Mimi wrote a more bluesy song called “WHOA!” I wrote the song that got us on to the CBS Early Show. It is called “Invincible” and was written about sisters and how if you stick together nothing will tear you down.
MUEN: What are the most exciting things planned for 2010 and beyond for the band?
Keiko: We are working towards the development of a TV show. But, our most important and exciting thing will be to finally get into the studio and lay some of the songs that we have been touring around and performing. We did it a bit backwards. Most people make a CD and then tour. We didn't get a chance to get into the studio because we were doing one show after the other. Besides, whoever said that you had to record first? Where is that in the rule book?
MUEN: With all the touring and playing so many big shows, do you ever get tired of performing and just want to stay home and do schoolwork?
TSGB: NO!!! Keiko: I mean we like schoolwork. We embrace our inner nerd. But, this is our dream. Every show we learn something new. We meet someone new. We get better by going out there and performing. It is amazing how many times we hear that. Don't you just want to play and be a kid! We are playing! We want people to get that! The stage is our playground. This is what we want.
MUEN: Is there anything I have not asked that you think our readers would like to know about The Sledge Grits Band?
Kariel: I want people to know that we may be young but we work really hard. We are constantly searching to better our playing and performing skills. Music is who we are and it pumps through our veins. It is what we do.
Thanks girls for taking the time to talk with MUEN today. We look forward to seeing and hearing a lot more from you for many years to come.
TSGB: Thank you again for having us!
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Thank you again for all your support and friendship! Until next time... Na Nu Na Nu 
(wait... did I just age myself?)
-Mama Sledge