People of the Glass House
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People of the Glass House

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States | SELF

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States | SELF
Band Pop Rock

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"People of the Glass House: Attractive, talented musicians addicted to Coke (a-Cola)"

Students from both the University of Wisconsin-Stout and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have gotten together to form the ambitious and energetic group, People of the Glass House (PGH), who will be opening up for Amanda Duncan on Thursday, Oct. 21 in the Underground at the Memorial Student Center at 8 p.m.

Before sitting down with Ben Teegarden and Zach Bader, two of the six official members of PGH, I was not sure what to expect. This is a group of young musicians who have only recently begun to play together and have gained momentum since their induction to the local music scene. Through the magic of Skype and the scope of a webcam, before me sat two guys in front of a fake fireplace and a giant Coca-Cola bottle cap.

"We can't afford a real fireplace because we have too much of a Coca-Cola problem," was the first thing Zach Bader said. I couldn't help but burst out laughing. I knew it was going to be an interesting chat.

"The first song I wrote was called 'I'm So Glad I Took a Chance on You.' I wrote it for Zach," said Teegarden. "It's a bittersweet song, in reality," he continued before being interrupted by Bader, "A bittersweet romance… ours."

Aside from the laughter and jokes, PGH is a hardworking band with a unique sound that has gained attention from media outlets such as the Shepherd Express in Milwaukee, Wis., who named PGH as one of the top 20 Milwaukee rock bands of 2010.

"Overall, this is not a very attractive band," joked Teegarden. "But really, being attractive has nothing to do with the music. It probably has everything to do with your success, but you can be pretty good and not be very attractive."

It has become clear at this point that part of PGH's allure is the dynamic charisma between the group members. PGH knows how to have fun and not take things too seriously, but at the same time, knows how to get down to business when need be. The group has been working on getting an album out and has been touring extensively throughout eastern Wisconsin. The album titled "Not Quite Grown" is due out in the coming weeks.

"We recorded the album at the Tannery Recording Studio in Milwaukee, which was quite the experience," said Teegarden. "It was in the middle of August; there was no air conditioning and it was on the fourth floor of an old wooden warehouse and it was just sweltering heat. I think some of that comes through in the recording, you can kind of feel the discomfort and heat that we were dealing with."

"We really did put sweat into this album," said Bader. "There's literally a whole track of just sweat."

The album will also feature vocals from famed singer/songwriter, Kristen Korkowski, a former student at UW-Stout.

"[Korkowski] lent her voice to the album," said Bader. "Then we took it, put it in someone else's body and then gave it back to her later. But no, she's really a damn good singer and you'll hear that on the album."

On a more serious note, Teegarden described the album as generally something that they did not think through at all, but it has come to hold a certain amount of meaning and has a message despite that.

"I think that if people are really willing to listen to it then there is a lot you can take from it," said Teegarden. "I could be totally wrong. It might be meaningless, but it might have a lot of meaning. Probably."

"I felt like the stars just sort of aligned for us," said Bader. "Maybe not stars so much… Maybe they were just flashlights."

Missed the show? You can check out People of the Glass House at one of their upcoming shows on Friday, Nov. 5 at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee or on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. PGH will also be playing next year at Summerfest. Check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/peopleoftheglasshouse. - Stoutonia


"People of the Glass House earn Summerfest gig"

Veteran Summerfest patrons know that much of the music emanating from the stages during the early hours of the festival day consists of cover songs played by hard-working, well-meaning cover bands.

People of the Glass House almost certainly will change that for about an hour next year.

The seven-piece Green Bay-based group, fronted by quirky singer Ben Teegarden, won its slot at next year's Big Gig with an arresting set of original music that won first prize at the annual "Battle of the Bands" Thursday night at Pere Marquette Park. The event was held in conjuction with Downtown Employee Appreciation Week.


Teegarden and bandmates Zachary Bader (drums), Alex Drossart (keyboards), Andrew "Doc" Bader (trombone), Kellen Rodriguez (bass), and vocalists Carli and McKenna Ihde, won the judges over with interesting melodies and lush arrangements on songs like "Not Quite Grown," "When I Wake Up," -- which spotlighted excellent vocals by the ladies -- and "Forever and Always."

The songs sprang from the acoustic guitar of Teegarden, an interesting frontman who channeled the geeky cool of Rivers Cuomo and the intensity of early Elvis Costello, and added layers of sound with trombone fills, tinkling keyboard fills and backing vocals.

"Just so comfortable, like a Sunday morning," judge Kevin Brandt of 96.5 WKLH said. "It's incredibly original and it's just really nice to listen to. It just calms you and makes you feel good."

With no member older than 22, People of the Glass House built displayed some lyrical complexity of Bright Eyes and displayed some of the dynamics of Arcade Fire.

Said Brandt of Teegarden: "It's not that you are an old soul, just a very educated soul."

People of the Glass House was one of six bands to compete for the coveted Summerfest slot, and the trio of judges (which included Brandt, Banshee Music executive Jeff Horrigan and the author) considered it one of the stronger fields in the history of the competition. - onmilwaukee.com


Discography

Forever and Always (single) - June 2010
Not Quite Grown LP - October 26, 2010

Photos

Bio

People of the Glass House are a band from Green Bay, Wisconsin comprised of established singer-songwriter Ben Teegarden, bass guitarist Kellen Rodriguez, trombone specialist Andrew Bader, and former members of the jazz-funk outfit 'The Quasars' Alex Drossart (piano) and Zach Bader (drums).

With lush orchestration in the vein of the Arcade Fire mixed with the vocal stylings of Beirut, People of the Glass House have honed a unique sound in their warm, upbeat, and sophisticated music-- this is Indie Rock you can't NOT dance to.

People of the Glass House recently finished their first record, Not Quite Grown, at The Tannery Recording Studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The record is due out in October 26, 2010. They have recently performed at Milwaukee's River Rhythms and Green Bay's Bayfest, and are already scheduled to perform at Summerfest 2011 in Milwaukee.

Video: http://vimeo.com/17383754