Published: July 7, 2010 2:02 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight July 2010 Edition
Gates Pass
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass
Our Webzine had an opportunity to listen to the music of Gates Pass, an alternative/acoustic band from Tucson, Arizona. We were delighted over the wonderful melodic tunes that are Gates Pass’ signature sound; peaceful tranquility full of enriching lyrics. The current lineup for the band is Heather Tobin, Anthony Spirito, Alan Garr and Paul Gibson. Check out what Anthony Spirito of Gates Pass had to reveal about his personal journey that has taken him to music in this special feature.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: I would say I first became interested in music at a very early age. I found that listening to the half dozen or so records I owned, music could transport you some place other than the place you were in. There was something other wordly about it. I’ve only been playing music seriously for about two years. I took about 5/6 years classical piano as a kid and then dabbled with the guitar in my late teens. But it hasn’t been until recently that I decided it was something I wanted to give a serious effort.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: My biggest musical influences today are primarily female singer songwriters along with a few bands. Aimee Mann, Neko Case, Chris Pureka, Amy Wadge, Wilco, Richard Hawley, Sera Cahoone, all come to mind. I just simply love the way they all write, both lyrically and musically. There seems to be an effortlessness on their part; whether or not that’s true, only they can say. But what they all do with simple chord progressions is mind blowing to me. Great melody and lyrics that tell an incredible story win out every time.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: The greatest highpoint in my career is the here and now. If you would have told me a year and a half ago that I’d be writing these songs and then doing whatever it took to find a band to cut a record, well, I would have laughed at you. Playing and writing were the furthest things from my mind. It’s been a dream come true to this point and the journey has only just begun. I think the other greatest high point is being able to have the singer and musicians we have in the band now. I was blessed with finding enormous talent. Without their contribution, the tunes wouldn’t be half of what they are now.
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: So far, luckily enough, I haven’t had a disappointment to report on. If I’ve learned anything in my 30+ years of existence, it’s been that disappointments, failures, whatever you want to call them, come with the territory. You’ve got options: Move on and pursue the thing you love most, or sit in it and perpetuate more disappointment.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: The thing that draws me most to the music I want to play is its story telling characteristics coupled with melodies that wrench your heart. I’ve made two documentary films to date and I love the medium because I’m fascinated with the extraordinary inside the ordinary. The same goes for the music I write.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: I think above and beyond anything it takes honesty to play the type of music I enjoy playing. I think you could say that for all art. If you follow the inner voice, really listen to it, shape it, mold it, dispose of it, you’re bound to uncover something genuine. Of course much needs to be said for talent, but I think first and foremost if you have a vision, the best thing you can do is nurture it, know when to say ‘that works’ and have enough courage to also say, ‘that doesn’t work, I need to find a different approach.’
Gates Pass
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: I think we’ll stand out because we’re a breath of fresh air. We don’t really sound like anyone in particular and when I wrote the songs I really wasn’t listening to much so there’s not a lot there in the way of influence; conscious influence anyway. Female vocalists are a dime a dozen, I get that, but I do believe, Heather, our singer, has ‘got it,’ whatever ‘it’ is. There’s a naturalness about her vocal that just draws you in and wraps you up. There’s an innate power she possesses that you only really hear from great vocalists. I think she has that ability. And she’s not trained, so there’s a human quality about her voice that folks can relate to. I also think the arrangements Alan, (multi-instrumentalist and vocalist) brings to the songs are superior in their uniqueness. Never are we playing the same things, chords, etc. We actually even tune differently. He’s brought the tunes into a whole new stratosphere. And live, well, we just know how to find the pocket and bring the audience in and take them for a ride.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: If we were to do one cover? I hate covers. I have no desire to do them. But if we had to do one I would say it would be maybe a Frank Sinatra tune! Why not, right? Something off of the “Everything Happens To Me” Album. I love melancholy songs and that album is all that and then some. And I think it would be challenging to take something of his and actually turn it into a singer/songwriter piece. I could be completely off on this point but it’s what comes to mind immediately!
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: I think to be a good songwriter you need what I stated above; the honesty to look at yourself and what makes you tick. But above all I think it also takes not taking yourself so seriously. Artists who think that what they create is the end all be all, for me, is a turn off. I love an artist who can laugh at herself, who can walk away from something they’ve created, dismiss it and move on. Or break it down to its barest essentials and then build it back up again. I’ve learned that with filmmaking. When you think you have your master, cut-cut it in half and then come talk to me.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: It’s ridiculously difficult to juggle life, family, work, obligations and life in general when all I want to do is make music. I started writing these songs out of necessity. I’m a recovering alcoholic/addict and was going through an extremely tumultuous time in my life and picking up a drink/drug was no longer an option, but picking up the guitar was. So when you’re obsessed with your art there are hardly enough hours in the day to make it. Plus, the band members have lives and getting everyone on the same page for rehearsals and gigs is always a challenge. But, I’m a firm believer in you get back what you give and the kind of energy you put out into the Universe is the kind of energy you get back. So as long as I stay focused on the music, the rest seems to just kind of fall in place.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: My definition of being an Indie/Artist band? Oh, I don’t know. Who knows? Does anyone really? I guess if I were forced to answer it I’d say the band who sticks to their creative guns and isn’t looking to make music to be ‘famous’ whatever that term means. If I could pay rent, feed my dog and pay the bills on time through making music, I’d be happy to consider myself Indie!
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: Fans can access our music in two places; we have a band website we’re just getting under way, with a blog, where you can leave comments, so please do: it’s
Anthony Spirito/Gates Pass: In five years? I’d like to be on our third or fourth tour, preferably with Aimee Mann! I’d like to be able to say music is my day job.
