Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
Interview by Jenn Stookey
What is the root of your love for music?
Expression… I started writing music, so I could express my emotion, and put it to pen and paper. There is nothing more rewarding then a finished song. I write so that the people that listen can hear my stories and relate them to their own lives and feelings, in hopes that they reach a new light.
How did this full band come to be?
The Reason Why comes from the idea that there is a reason for everything. The Reason we play and make music, the reason why you feel good after seeing one of our shows, the list goes on…
– Brian Gearty (Bass/Vox): I have known Brian since the 4th grade. When I started playing guitar, Brian started playing bass. So we grew up playing music together, including our first punk band together.
– Karlee Bloomfield (Keys/Vox): Karlee saw us play as a trio back in the day opening for a band called DeSol. We were looking for a keyboard player at the time and Karlee asked to try out, and we were very impressed! It has been 5 years now since she has been in the group.
– Mike Zdeb(Guitar/Vox): Mike was a fill in for about 2 years while our other guitar player was in college during the school year. When we started to get some serious momentum going with the group, our guitar player decided to leave and it just made sense for Mike to come in as a full time band mate!
– Davide Vossel (Drums): Davide is actually from Italy! He attended music school in NYC with Brian. We were looking for a new drummer this past fall, and Sister Dave (davide) nailed the audition! He is a pleasure to work with.
Your music has influences from many styles of music. How would you personally describe your sound?
It is very hard for me to put it into one category because I am influenced by so many different genres…Soul, funk, reggae, R&B, and Rock. If I had to create one…I would say Feel Good Music.
You recorded an album, “Live At The Saint”. How was recording live different than in a studio?
With a live album, you only have one chance to make it right. There are no “do overs”. We had to practice non-stop to create a killer live show. We performed 3 shows over 2 days and picked the best songs from each show. Even though we recorded in a studio for the latest record, it was pretty similar to the live one, in the sense that we only had 10 days to create it. Such a short amount of time to get everything just right.
Did you focus on how you sounded live more than a normal concert you perform?
Of course, we had to be flawless to make a great recording out of it. But since making that live album, we have been focusing on our live show all the time in order to make it better each time we play.
You have worked with many highly acclaimed producers and artists. Is there anyone you haven’t worked with who you want to work with? Why?
Yes! At the moment I would love to work with 2 people. Eric Krasno, guitar player and creator of Soulive and Lettuce. His arrangements are amazing and his grooves always make you dance, that dude is a badass. I would also love to work with John Legend, it would be great to write a song with a guy who is incredible soulful and such a great songwriter.
After writing and recording 4+ albums, is there anything you haven’t experimented with that you still want to? Maybe a different style of music, the use of a different instrument or collaboration?
I have always wanted to make a hip hop record haha. I love hip hop so much, and occasionally spit raps in my songs live. I think it could be a killer side project.
You have an album releasing on July 30th titled, Its Only Change and you have been touring this summer. Have you played any of the new songs live? If so, how have the fans responded to the new tracks?
Yes, we have been playing a lot of them live and the reaction is amazing. Especially our single “A Hard Place”, it always gets people movin and groovin. Also “Change”, it is a very interesting and emotional piece, in which I have witness a couple of people cry in front of me over the song. It is a very humbling experience to see my song do that to someone.
What kind of response are you anticipating for this next release?
A great one! I hope… haha So far, so good, everyone who has it already has been raving!
For being a musician who at a young age has already had so much experience, what would you say your day to day goal is and what is the overall goal you want to achieve?
I just want to keep touring and breaking into new markets where people can catch on and appreciate my music.
What would you say has been the most difficult part of your career for you all personally and collectively?
It is always difficult watching band members leave. I have had a couple come in and out of the band, and it is never easy whether its a graceful exit or bad exit.
How did you, or do you continue to, overcome these struggles?
Everything happens for a reason and you just need to keep on keepin on, because your music will not be lost just because a member has left. You need to remember that it is your music, and your vision no matter who is beside you, and hopefully the next person will be supportive.
