An Interview about the down under (Austrailia) with Gregory Page."Life is a mystery why we're all here..." --Ocean of Memories, Gregory Page
Gregory Page is in the process of recording his nineteenth album. 19th. This latest, "Bird in a Cage" was written in six weeks while he was on tour in Australia with Jason Mraz. Touring with Jason was something he never thought would happen--despite their years long friendship. Gregory never asked to open for Jason or Steve Poltz, because he said he knows what it feels like when people ask to play with him. He says it's kind of wierd.
"I knew I was playing in Australia. I called Jason and said 'I was thinking of going there too. We should have a beer or dinner.' That turned into Jason saying 'You should open for me'."
It's really the least Jason Mraz could do for Gregory Page. You see, it was Gregory Page (who was with the Troubled Sleepers at the time) who wrote Jason Mraz' name in crayon on his band's poster at Java Joe's years ago. "Gregory Page gave me my first show," Jason said on stage in Australia.
They played in front of 1200 people in some venues. "My music is down-tempo, so the audience was restless. Jason would come out and calm them, yet excite them at the same time."
Brisbon, Sydney, Melbourne. Shows in small listening rooms, record stores, LeStat-sized places. All, where those aged 18 and up could drink.
"I love to play here in coffee shops, but in Australia, you could have a glass of wine and listen, too," Gregory said.
He went from playing in front of 1200 to playing in front of 20, after Jason went on to South Korea. Gregory slept in people's homes, in promoters living rooms.
"I built a fan base of 12 people," he said.
So how and where did he write thirteen songs in a month and a half? In a cemetery, sitting among old, old headstones, he said. " 'Here lies Charlotte. She died in 1869 on her birthday'...I'd come up with stories about these people's lives. I thought about the big picture of live and love. Away from my cell phone and the internet, I had no distractions." His senses were heightened in Australia, he said. Everything seemed to taste and smell better there...hence, the intensity of the writing.
Gregory started getting serious about music later in life. He was 30 years old and studying to be a veterinarian. He said he's always been haunted by what would have happened if he'd continued on that path. In Australia, he wrote about following a passion, finding the thing that is most important, and doing it.
Gregory's music sustains him. He lives and feeds off of it. He makes some money from gigs and CD sales.
"I'm 45 and I have roommates," he says, "I live without the security of health insurance." He barters. With his car mechanic, his eye doctor. At the coffee shop where we meet in Kensington, we don't pay for our drinks...because he plays there for free.
Gregory sees this new CD (that he's recording with Jeff Berkley) as his "Breakout Album".
"All this stuff I've learned, all the disappointments..it's all led to this."
Down Under, Gregory was inspired not only in the cemetery, but also on stage.
"I got nervous and excited...one thousand strangers...I was constantly trying to connect with people and have that connection spread. That feeling of adrenaline continued through the night. It's like I just jumped out of an airplane. Feeling loved, people asking for my autograph...my ears ringing..."
Sitting outside of that coffee shop in Kensington, Gregory's friend Mark comes up to us.
"Hey," he says, "There's my friend Gregory Page, the famous guy!"
Gregory Page, the world is ready for you.
Kristen
Just want to say it is sooo awesome to see and see you again my TV. I used to watch you on WTNH NewsChannel 8 in Connecticut where I used to be from. My job brought me out here to SD and there you are now on KUSI!! You are great anchor and beautiful woman. Way to go Kristen!
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