Energy infectious when Lokal Grown gets together
By Jessica May
Dan and Jake Callister. / Photo by Jessica May
March 6, 2004 | When five twentysomething, musically gifted individuals climb into one room, it seems different ideas and opinions might crash into one another, creating a sort of artistic battle.
However, as I edged my way through the industrial district of Logan the other night, I came across an experience that proved to be just the opposite.
Five guys, making up the band Lokal Grown, each manning a different instrument, sat along the walls of the room, facing each other. Smiling, smirking and passing inside jokes back and forth, they practiced for an upcoming private gig. With the bass player tapping his left toe, the guitarist bouncing his knees up and down and the singer dancing around the room with his guitar in the air, the music was not only played, but felt. Positive energy is contagious. And according to the band members themselves, this type of interaction is not uncommon.
They don't just get along, drummer Keith Sorensen said, they thrive in the company of one another. Each member of the band brings in an important element that aids in comprising the ensemble of Lokal Grown.
"The chemistry off stage is so good there's just no choice but to have a good time on stage," Sorensen said.
Brett Thomas, lead singer for the local band Final Warning, said he could see this cohesive element of the band, noticing that they all seemed to be good friends. But he said there's another reason why he likes them.
"They're talented musicians," Thomas said, "and they play really well together."
Jed Hunter, a fan and fellow music entertainment provider from Rexburg, Idaho, spoke of their technical abilities.
"They're rhythmically tight," Hunter said. "The bass player and the drummer are locked in, providing a solid backbeat."
Hunter said the other three band members have a lot to contribute as well. As Quinn Dietlein rounds out the sound on the keyboards, Jake Callister brings energy to the mix with his rhythmic guitar playing and harmonic vocals, not to mention dancing techniques! While it must be said that each member composes, Nate Davis is a well of inspiration as far as his song writing goes.
A characteristic unique to this band, said Callister, is the fact that all the members have vocal abilities. He said this is uncommon to many bands and has proven to be a strength for them.
With majors ranging from natural resources to music and marketing, each individual in the band has unique experiences and ideas to bring to the table, Callister said. Contributing to their eclectic style, Davis said each member has a particular way of writing. But when a song is introduced to the band and they indulge in a jam session of improvisation, he said, the song can totally change and take on a sound only familiar to Lokal Grown.
Having this diversity within the band has proven to widen their prospective audience said bass player, Dan Callister.
"We are ultra versatile," Dan, the brother of Jake, said. "There's really no crowd we can't play to."
Performing about once a week, said Jake Callister, the bands plays at wedding receptions, high school functions, business parties and college events. Sorensen said the band appeals to a broad age range as well. They love to perform said Dietlein, and they love music.
"Music is it's own reward," said Dietlein, quoting Sting. The band listens to a lot of music outside the studio and the practice room said Jake Callister. Explaining his dependence on music, Dan Callister said it is a huge part of his life.
"If you take music away," said Dan Callister, "What is there?"
In between weekly performances, band practices twice a week, school and work, Davis said they found the time to put in hours at a private studio in Salt Lake, where they have been recording their third CD. The first two CDs are about $10 and are available at the local Hastings. The second CD is also available at Lokal Grown shows, the earliest being March 26 at the USU Institute building as part of a CPR benefit concert.
The whole band. / Photo courtesy of Lokal Grown
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