We caught up with RJ Rude of Always Grounded to find out what keeps them grounded! Turns out, they have an awesome Halloween video!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
When we first started this band, it was only myself (RJ, Lead Vocals) and my younger brother (Eli, Rythem Guitar). We bounced around some really terrible band names back and forth, before finally settling on Always Grounded. We thought it’d be a really fun name that could have double meaning. One, literally meaning we were Always Grounded by our parents as kids, and two that we are pretty grounded people!
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
Honestly, I don’t come from a musical background. I took a couple chorus classes in school and that’s really it. I’ve always loved Pop Punk music and had dreams of being in a band, but never thought I could actually do it. One days during the 2020 quarantine I just hit up my brother and kind of went for it!
How would you describe your sound?
I think the best way to describe us is early 2000s Pop Punk with a hint of modern influence!
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Bands like blink-182, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, and Man Overboard helped mold a lot of our sound. There are definitely a ton more influences, but bands with the dual vocalist have been big on this upcoming EP!
What’s the last song you listened to?
Edging by blink-182, I’m very giddy that Tom is back!
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Playing shows with different bands. There is something very special about making new friends and seeing them succeed at what they love!
Who is your dream producer?
Alan Day of FYS and Nick Bruzzese of Man Overboard. Once we get better financial footing as a band, we will be heading right to one of them.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Anyone from blink would be huge for me. If that day ever happens I think I’ll be able to walk away from music completely happy.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
I found music as comfort during some really hard times during my life. So many songs made me feel like I wasn’t alone. All I want to do is make music that helps others the way those songs did for me.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
We don’t exactly have a set process. Sometimes we start with vocal melodies I’ve written, sometimes we start with instrumentals someone else has written, and sometimes we start from scratch. Theses methods have been working really great for us lately. Once we have a solid idea down we demo it, sit on it for a few weeks to see if we want to add or take anything out, and then we hit the studio to record! I’m really proud of us, we’ve been in a groove these past few weeks!
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
They can reach out to us on all forms of social media @AlwaysGroundedBand (except Twitter, @Always_Grounded). Feel free to reach out with any comments you may have!
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Spotify
Website
Linktree
What’s next for you?
The next steps for Always Grounded is to get back in the studio and record a few more songs for our upcoming EP! There have been some talks about turning this EP into our debut full length, but we will see!
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Our new single “Ready When You Are (On Our Knees) Ft. Malerie Gamblin of Keep Your Secrets starts streaming everywhere October 21st! Please give it a listen and watch our Friday the 13th inspired music video!
Bio: Always Grounded is a band of misfits ranging from a blind rhythm guitarist to a pro wrestling lead singer. With representation of the LGBTQ+ and POC community, they believe through all differences music can bring people together. Always Grounded is “Pop Punk For Everyone.”
