Solskinn 2014 Preview:
GGOOLLDD

GGOOLLDD wants you to have a good time. They are, as their Bandcamp wryly proclaims, “awesome, if you’re into that sort of thing.”

The Milwaukee-based six-piece independently released their debut EP, $TANDARD$, just two weeks ago thanks to the literal demands of their listeners, most likely screamed from the back of packed dance floors and tiny, beer-soaked venues. In anticipation of their August 16 set at Solskinn, we sat down to chat with most of GGOOLLDD. (Their bassist, Nick Ziemann, was modeling. Some people have it all.)

The band was born in the same place as many prolific works of art: a bar. But what started as a drunken conversation between vocalist Margaret Butler and keys player Tony Hunt has bloomed into one of the fastest-growing dance acts in Milwaukee.

“We weren’t trying to be anything,” said Hunt. “We really started the project to throw a party for Halloween. The first song was released on October 24, and that day we hosted a party in this attic for our best buds.”

To their surprise, demands came rolling in for more live performances. With a fairly open Milwaukee scene, they were fortunately able to pick up shows across the city. “While Milwaukee is definitely a good-sized city, the clubs here are really welcoming,” said drummer Mark Stewart. “If you start a band and are enthusiastic about it and work hard at it, people are pretty willing to give you a chance to play.”

“We never really set out to make anything more than fun music on our own schedule,” said Hunt. “We never expected the amount of response we’re getting.”

Therein lies their charm: Despite the group’s rapid growth in live performances, their sound and style is imbued with a charming humility and carefree aura. $TANDARD$ has similarly humble beginnings, recorded primarily in their living room “on a lot of alcohol and late nights,” according to Hunt.

“We wanted it to be a party album,” said Butler. “A ‘life is fun’ album.”

And they certainly succeeded. Four glorious songs long, $TANDARD$ is a summer soundtrack filled to the brim with booming synths and infectious beats. Butler’s voice soars above it all, driving the party with remarkable energy and emotion.

“When we first started, Margret and I wanted to keep everything pretty positive,” said Hunt. “The first lyrics were ‘You’re good, you’re gold.’ We just tried to keep that in mind while we were expanding the sound of it.”

First-time listeners of the album can expect live-sound influences in addition to overarching positive, youth-centric themes. “The songs [for $TANDARD$] were done, and then the more we played, the more the live band aspect leaked into the actual record,” said Hunt. “And then it was like, how do we capture that super huge energy without a rock band?”

“I feel like our live shows are very energetic,” said Stewart. “That feel and vibe is definitely captured on the record, and that’s something I’m really excited about.”

If their rabid Milwaukee fans are any indication, audiences at this year’s Solskinn Music Festival can expect a good time. Butler hand-makes a new outfit for nearly every gig, and the group has attributed their momentum and drive to the desire to play new music for show-goers. “It’s gonna be super, super fun,” said Butler. “There’s no way you will not have one of the greatest nights of your life.”

Or, in the words of backing vocalist Thomas Gilbert, “Worst case scenario, it’s just really fun.” 

GGOOLLDD will perform at Solskinn Music Festival on Saturday, August 16 at The Shitty Barn in Spring Green, WI. Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased here.