“A long time ago, there were all these bands made to ensure musical quality to the Richmond area. We were all deceived because when all the forces of good were coming together to write music, little did we know the forces of evil were coming together to form the band Horsehead. Basically, it’s your classic situation of the hobbits versus Saruman”-Prabir Mehta
Saturday, August 17, Horsehead and Goldrush will be going head-to-head at The Camel for Bandwars. This concert/battle will also be an album release party for Goldrush, and hopefully the band will not get too bloody.
The first full-length album by Goldrush is titled Greatest Hits, which lead-singer Prabir Mehta described as “our very subtle joke that we’re making about the music industry”.
In all seriousness, the album explores the many talents of Goldrush with tracks that feature the classical skills of violinist Treesa Gold and Bassist Matt Gold and the rock'n'roll influences of Greg Butler.
“The cool thing about playing in this band for me, is working with individuals that come from a pretty drastically different background than I do,” said Mehta. “A lot of times that can lead to a weird mesh...but we seem to share enough commonalities that keeps us rooted in one direction.”
Mehta continued to express how many album tracks contain honest lyrics presented in a light-hearted way. “[The album] is a fun experience about us being people, being stupid and smart, in love and sad,” explained Mehta. “It’s about all the stuff that goes along with being alive.”
With the help of producer Kevin Willoughby, the upcoming album is set to display the nature of Goldrush is the most authentic way possible. “I try not to listen to my own stuff, it’s like looking in a mirror everywhere you go,” joked Mehta. “But for the past week, I’ve been forced to listen to it and I’m thrilled that [Willoughby] is so good at capturing...[Goldrush’s] pulse and vibe.”
The album release follows a single which was produced and engineered by members of the band Motion City Soundtrack in 2012. After discovering a Goldrush track through iPod shuffle, Matt Taylor bassist for MCS, realized the band should be included in a series titled Making Moves. “I went to see [Goldrush] and was blown away,” said Taylor. “I knew then that I had to work with them in some fashion.” Goldrush then joined MCS at the Vans Warped Tour after the single was released. “I remember hanging out at their tour bus after their set...and thinking how absolutely nice [the members of MCS were],” said Mehta.
Earlier this year, both Goldrush and Motion City Soundtrack were nomination for “Best Rock EP” by the Independent Music Awards. “I remember [thinking] ‘Ok well it’s been nice, but there’s no way we are even going to get a close second on this,” said Mehta. To his surprise, Goldrush won the award. “I thought the [A&R representative] was totally joking with me,” recalled Mehta. “Sure enough we won.”
Even though the band’s first show in Richmond after a midwest tour is called “Bandwars”, Mehta says the fighting is all in good fun. “We’ve known eachother forever” said Mehta. “[Bandwars] is just a really good way to spend the summer, making fun of your friends.”
Tickets for Bandwars are available for $5 at the door and first blood is at 8pm. Greatest Hits will be available online and in local stores starting August 17. More information can be found through Facebook.