The four siblings that make up Jypsi made their way to Nashville and quickly found themselves earning a reputation playing live at Layla's Bluegrass Inn on Broadway six times a week. They caught the attention of Arista Nashville and were quickly signed by the major label and are set to release their debut album in early 2008. They took a moment to chat with Gone Country about all of this and more.
1. You moved from the small, Illinois town of Galena to Nashville. What prompted your move and how quickly after you got to Music City did things start to come together for Jypsi?
We traveled around living in a motor home for more than 10 years before our move to Nashville. Cowboy Jack Clement supported our move, helped us learn all about the music and introduced us to a lot of people in the business. That helped us get started in Music City. We have been playing a small club down on lower Broadway, called Layla's, for 4 years now. That's where we were discovered by Arista Records. When we were offered the deal, it was all such a shock. We didn't really know whether to believe it or not. But it was the real deal! And now we are getting busy, and it is so good to be on the road again. We are so lucky, and everyone that we work with is just incredible, and it's such a privilege to get to do what we love, every single day, and with such fine folks!
2. Your debut album on Arista Nashville, is due out in the first part of 2008. What can someone that hasn't heard your music expect when they pick up a copy of your album?
Well, a lot of people ask us what and who we sound like, but we don't really know how to answer that since it's really unlike anything else. It's very different and edgy. We are all just really happy with the outcome. We recorded the song "House of the Rising Sun", and that's the only cover. The rest is all originals. A lot of the songs we had already been playing downtown for a while when we recorded them. We've been fortunate enough to work with some great, great writers.
3. What is going to make your album one that stands out and makes it a must have album for someone's music collection?
We all played on our record, which is not all that common, and we loved that! Lillie Mae sings lead on the majority of the album, but Frank and Amber-Dawn both sing harmonies and lead, as well. So it's definitely more than just a one singer/sound band.
4. How did working with producer, Blake Chancy help shape the sound of the album and what did you learn from him in the studio that made you a stronger band?
Blake was so much fun! His engineer Tony Castle was awesome, too. Being in the studio was so incredible. Blake has such an ear for music and helped us out a lot. Also being with each other all the time, listening to everyone's ideas helped us create such a unique sound. Blake comes up with great ideas, and everyone's input makes it that much easier, and more fun! Blake is awesome and we all hope to work together again.
5. You are on a promotional radio tour right now for your debut single "Love is a Drug." When can people expect to start hearing you on the radio and why was this song chosen as your first single?
We are being played right now! And hopefully more and more and more, so keep on requesting it! "Love is a Drug" is a song that gets people's attention right away. It's just a fun, groovy beat, ear catching tune.
6. Is there one song from the album besides the single that you feel people need to check out?
Oh my… We just love all of them! "I Don't Love You Like That" is one of our favorites on the record. "Free", as well. So check 'em all out! We love them all.
7. Without an album in stores yet, how important has your live show been to you so far?
Well, we just love, love, love playing live so much, and it's a different feel from the album. We express so much on stage through our playing that the music is the same, but it's also got an energy unique to that moment, which is most certainly important to us. It is always going to be an enjoyable experience for us and for our audience!
8. How beneficial have your gigs at Layla's been to the advancement of your band and what has the experiences of playing on Broadway taught you about performing live?
Layla's is home to us! We have learned so much from lower broad - it's really unbelievable. Layla is amazing, and playing in a honky tonk for 4 hours a day 6 days a week really has just taught us so much. We've worked with some awesome musicians down there, and it's practice, and the most fun, ever!
9. You have begun to play some shows in other areas (recently Chicago). What can somebody expect to see when they witness Jypsi live that your album doesn't show?
There is an energy that you cannot catch in the studio. Everything isn't always prefect, but that's better! My (Lillie Mae) favorite artist is Waylon Jennings, and his recorded stuff is amazing, but the live album was his best. That's how we feel about performing live comparing it to the album.
10. What piece of advice can you offer someone that is looking to break into the music industry right now?
You just have to follow your heart and do what you love. Always stick to your roots. We are extremely lucky. You have to love it, live it, and hopefully get to do it forever!
