GUMSHEN

Gumshen, a unique blend of nonconventional sounds made up of Ron Hippe on vocals, guitar and keys, Jan Ciganik on guitar and vocals, Dennis McCoy on drums and Vocal and Rich Hinklin on bass guitars. Gumshen has mastered the art of “R&R”. I’m not speaking of rest and relaxation but the art of Real life surrounded by real music. Juggling Marriages, jobs and children is what makes them so uniquely different yet relatable. They are like everyday people introduced with a dream, with twice the motivation. During an impromptu phone interview I had the opportunity to speak with the lead singer and guitarist of Gumshen, Ron Hippe. He was on his way to a motion caption session for a new video game. Here’s what he had to say.

DC: First off where are all of you guys from and how long have you been together?

RH: Everyone in the band is from Seattle well me and Dennis the drummer and Jen the guitarist are from Slovakia and technically Rich the base player is from Olympia that’s an hour south of here. We have been together as a band for about five years.

DC: Ok that’s pretty convenient for the most part. How did you guys meet up, was there like a recruiting session?

RH: No not at all actually Jen and Dennis were already in a band and I just joined in to replace a base player later down the line we added rich who was actually a faculty member at art institute of Seattle and worked with Jack and Dino who were major engineers for nirvana, sound garden and other bands like that.

DC: You mentioned you were on your way to a capturing session? Is this a band event?

RH: Actually no I’m on my way to a motion capturing session, you know they strap you into those suits with the green balls on it and you move around. Is for a new video game coming out.

DC: Wow that’s pretty cool so you’r not just an in a band you do a little acting too? Can we get any word on what the video game is or is that all hush hush?

RH: Lol yes I’m actually a professional actor I have done shows on Broadway …I can’t speak much on it but I can tell you I have done some voice over and motion capturing for Halo 3, The Sims and things like that.

DC: WOW! It seems like you have such a busy life….and you make it all work I find it hard to eat in between class’s how do you do it?

RH: You’re right it’s hard, let’s just say without a calendar I would be lost lol

DC: Yea, I know that can be kind of difficult and tedious work ironing out the kinks without management. With trying to make forward movement how does that work out?

RH: Well your right it’s a little slow, right now we are looking to license our music but without a team it’s hard to make those moves we all have real lives and real jobs but we plan to get everything in order so that we can make better progress.

DC: Real lives, that’s not something you think of when you imagine bands and artists. So you guys are really kind of like an unconventional band aren’t you?

RH: Yea we are a little older of a band it’s hard to just rent a “band” house and live there  or pack up your stuff throw it in a van and go on the road. We are all home owners with real jobs wives and kids you know reality hits you at some point lol.

DC: With this CD that the band just finished how do you feel it’s different from your prior releases did you do anything differently?

RH: Well actually, about 4 or 5 years ago with our first CD we, after listening to some advice given to us made a decision to make all of our music one style. The album had kind of a punk rock grunge feel. But after that we talked and decided wanted to go in a different direction this CD has some rock, there are punk songs, progressive rock we even have a 13 min song on there. This CD is so different it’s hard to say what direction we are going in with music we pick what we like and piece it all together, it’s always different. Our next CD is also just as eclectic there is going to be a song that is just piano and voice. It’s like the beetles white album where every song is different.

 

DC: Wow that’s a lot, but original not many artists do that these day’s. What can you honestly say you believe is the ultimate goal for the band?

RH: We want to continue to produce, license our band, and do small contained tours. Speaking for myself my goal is to make music and have as many people hear it…it’s all about the creation of the music you know.

DC: That’s all very realistic and I think very attainable, nice. What can you say you have learned from your experiences as musicians?

RH: First playing live in front of people lets you know what is good, what you are doing well and what people really enjoy. The second thing is collaborative process since I worked by myself for most of my career it’s new to bring in others prospective. The whole band is more or equals something bigger then you yourself and that’s really important. Together you can stretch ideas and learn from each other so defiantly how to be more collaborative and how to realize the sum is greater then the whole of each part…or maybe it’s the other way around lol

 

DC: What’s one thing you would like to tell people who have not heard of you guys yet?

RH: Just listen to us that’s what I would say, lol, and listen to us without judgment. I’m happy with that I mean I hope they like it but I’m past the point of needing the praise from everyone. You will always find your audience there is always someone that will like your music and it’s about finding them.

DC: Ok Ron I’m winding down with my questions here only two left lol what comes first music or lyrics?

RH: Music, lyrics are really hard for me to write I have far more music without lyrics then the other way around about 90% of the songs music has come first. I do force myself to sit down and write poetry or lyrics hoping that it may match something

DC: Last question…Last day on earth what are you eating?

RH: Well uh, I love food, food of all kinds South American Asian European food….but I mean I say all that but the fact is I hate to admit I would probably eat a cheese burger lol

DC: I always love the response to that question. It’s funny and ends things on a good note. Well I honestly thank you for taking time out of your day to speak with me it’s been great.

RH: Thanks Deanna

~Written and interviewd by Deanna Collins 2010