While wasting time playing every instrument I can get my hands on, and while Trey is out of town, probably gambling all of his money away in Vegas, I decided it would be fun to record a quick acoustic version of Reckless! Let us know what you think!

-Nick
AYIG

Today someone asked me what kind of music I liked. It doesn’t sound like something worth posting in a blog about… but it turned out to be… and I’ll tell you why.

One of the main points of conversation that I default to when meeting someone new or getting to know someone better is to ask them what kind of music they are into. Now I didn’t realize until today, when I thought about it, that the reason I do this is not because I really want the information, but its actually because I am trying to establish a connection with someone through something I might have in common with them. When I find someone who starts spouting off bands that I know and like, I get super excited about the idea of carrying on a conversation with them about something very familiar to me. It becomes way easier for me to really bond with the person.

So, people have asked me this question before and I usually say something like “well I pretty much like anything,” or some other basic answer that implies that my musical interests are so broad that it’s difficult to narrow it down. I don’t do it on purpose. I’m usually just caught off guard and so I settle on a short answer to keep form boring the other person, or simply that I would have a hard time coming up with enough examples to represent all that I appreciate in a world of lovely noise.

Today, however, a friend of mine asked me what music I liked. I replied this time with a “well, that depends.” It got really weird from there. I asked her if she meant out of music that I really respect and appreciate, or music that I usually listen to on a regular basis (how could anyone even think of it that way?). I don’t know why I complicated it like this since my normal aim is not to be complicated with my answer. Needless to say, it sort of created a confusing picture for her of what interests me musically. After we talked about it for a little bit, I named off some bands that she hadn’t heard of and it felt kind of awkward and unresolved. It came to my realization that they way I express myself in this situation is completely and ridiculously off-putting. Even when I go my normal route with a simple answer, it doesn’t really allow people access to one of the most important parts of me.

The truth is that people identify themselves with music. If someone wants to know what suits you, it seems to me that it’s really an attempt for them to look into you and find something that they can relate themselves to. Music is so powerful that just talking about it connects people. I think that we are all aware of this and I think it leads people (myself included) to try and impress everyone with their selections. I’m willing to bet that every single person has got their “guilty pleasures’ of music that they really like but are too ashamed to say it. I say we give it up. If you like something you should admit it and be prepared to show people why its awesome. For all you know there are other people that really like it too but are also too afraid to say. Or perhaps they’ve made up their minds about music that they would really like if only they took some time to actually listen to it. That kind of situation has potential to turn into a really valuable relationship.

From now on I’m going to be completely honest with what music I like. If that means admitting that Katy Perry makes me squeal, or that Coldplay deserves every ounce of the fame that they have, it’s a small price to pay for finding someone that doesn’t snicker at me when I say so.

After my short experience today I feel compelled to organize my thoughts and to reexplain what music I like and try to answer people in a more direct and intelligible way. Here goes:

I like music with a good beat and bass that you can feel in your chest. I like a song that is catchy and refuses to let me forget it. I love when no matter what the words are, you sing them when you hear it because it just feels right. I like music that sounds big, when it sounds like it’s playing from the tops of mountains. I like music that makes me move my feet without me knowing. I like music that is complex and that shows me something I’ve never noticed even after the thousandth time listening to it. I also like music that is simple and is easy to connect with. I like music with words that compel me to be more than just a person, but to be a hero, or a lover. I like when music flows up and down and in and out of reality and takes me with it. I like music that inspires people who then write more music that inspires people. I like music that can be played in any language but can still evoke feelings in everyone. I like music that makes you happy and sad at the same time. I like music that is timeless and speaks to generation after generation, forever. I like music that shapes humanity.

-trey

We just released our cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” AND since we love you more than anyone, we’re giving it away for FREE right now!

Download it HERE!

Send this link to your friends! Let us know what you think!

nick + trey

As we explore our new PDX home in the PNW we have decided to invite you to join us for weekly mini-shows! We’ll spend about 20 minutes a week and stream part of our practice time! We would love to chat with you, see your video of you dancing, singing along, hanging out, whatever! Join up with us on Stickam! We’ll be posting our practice times on Stickam, on our twitter page , and our Facebook page

http://www.stickam.com/askyouingray

I was looking at our blog and I decided that we are terrible with updates. I love what Nick did with that give-away banner but I’m sick of looking at it. So I’m going to fill in our reader(s?) with the progress Nick and I have made in our few months together here in Portland!

Nick and I have had many practice/beer drinking sessions at his place toying with new musical ideas and discussing the direction we are heading. There are a number of fun little bits and pieces we have been tossing back and forth and we are feeling good about how our sound is developing. We couldn’t be more happy with how our recent change in location seems to be giving us killer inspiration. Look out cause these are going to be SO fun.

In addition to writing new material we’ve also been scoping out possible venues in P-Town. We have made some quick lists of some places to check out before we send out some music and info to try and land some gigs. We hope to have our first show in Portland very very very very very soon. (sooner than that sounds)

One last thing to hint at. Nick and I have been working on recording a fun cover to post on our site for your sweet little ears. Stay tuned in the next week or so to hear one of our favorite songs done AYIG Style!

love,
-trey
ask you in gray

Hey guys!

It’s been just over a month since the release of “From Satellites” and we’ve decided to give away a copy of the CD to 5 lucky winners!

Here’s the details:

To ENTER, you must leave a comment on this post with your twitter name, you must be following us on twitter! (http://www.twitter.com/askyouingray), and you must retweet this phrase:

RT @askyouingray Win a FREE physical copy of Ask You In Gray’s “From Satellites” Album! Enter here: http://bit.ly/ccP55n

The contest will END on Wednesday, May 12th at 12pm PT and the winners will be contacted to set up the shipping! It is TOTALLY FREE and winners will receive one physical copy of our CD, “From Satellites” AND some AYIG buttons (along with a personal message!) mailed to your door.

Restrictions: MUST be in the U.S. (sorry!) and must have a valid address to send stuff to!

It seems I might have unknowingly contributed to the latest internet meme. These pics look quite similar to this pic of me playing Crack-the-hWhip with some metal kids.

-trey

101 Performances of Bad Romance Covers… whoa.

We’ve been awaiting this moment for months now. We are proud to release to you our full-length album: From Satellites.

Along with the album release, we’ve also redesigned our website, Askyouingray.com, and all of our social media sites, which are listed in the right-sidebar so you can connect with us!!!

We are giving an offer to get our album for FREE if you sign up for our mailing list. So, go ahead! Download it! Share it with your friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else! We need your help to spread the ElectroPOP of Ask You In Gray! If you find yourself enjoying the album, you can also come back and donate to the band to help with production costs and travel costs! (Only if you want to, though!) So… without further delay… we hope you enjoy hearing the NEW KINGS OF ELECTROPOP! Ask You In Gray!

Get it on DigStation
Get it on CDBaby

Response from Trey:

Want to download the song???
Here it is:
Movin – Half You In Gray