We recently had the chance to connect with Spidey De Montrond and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Spidey, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, knowledge/intelligence can be acquired through applying oneself to the pursuit of the aforementioned. Energy get some rest.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The Gentle Orchestra’s debut disc Synonymity, Southern California musician Malchi ‘Spidey’ De Montrond vividly reimagines the Golden State’s formidable pop-rock tradition. Here, the collective’s core trio of De Montrond (lead vocals, guitar, keys), renowned bassist Bart Broadnax (Sammy Davis Jr., Joe Williams, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis) and acclaimed percussionist-engineer Antoine Arvizu (National People’s Gang, Marc Ford) is augmented with over a dozen stellar sit-ins and the results—a kaleidoscopic set of shimmering, contemplative studies on romance and adversity—are a compelling, emotionally rich collection of songs both intensely personal and universally relatable.
At once durable yet ethereal, De Montrond’s deftly constructed arrangements combine the driving verve with the intricacy and elegance of his formal training in music. Synonymity boasts such exceptional accompanists as Michael Lockwood (whose world class guitar has graced recordings by everyone from Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple to Sylvain Sylvain, Carly Simon, Salt-N-Pepa), powerhouse jazz- funk multi-instrumentalist Robbie Covacevich (Roy Hargrove, Karl Denson) and in-demand strings-sound design maestro Gabe Noel (Tyler the Creator, Jackson Browne, Meshell Ndegeocello). A true collaborative effort, the record is further enhanced by the talents of brass-reeds boss David Ralicke (John Cale, Beck, Seu Jorge), Chris Joyner (Natalie Merchant, Tom Morello, Ryan Bingham), with additional key contributions from the indie/grunge guitarist-singer-songwriter Otis B and famed “one-man orchestra” Stevie Blacke’s sublime strings. De Montrond’s rich musical palette encompasses deliciously mutant garage psych samba, hot old school jazz, irresistible pop-rock grooves and beyond.
From the hopeful, sunny atmospherics of opener “Slow Down” to the profound, shadowy 7 minute closer “Home Alone,” the album is a flawlessly executed and sequenced set, showcasing De Montrond’s evocative vocals and loaded with brass, reeds, even banjo, all combining for an engrossingly communicative vibe. As a lyricist, De Montrond smoothly navigates through a wide experiential spectrum, always emphasizing every topic’s gravity—whether love, anxiety, sadness or exult—with a skilled, communicative simplicity which fulfills the promise of the GO motto:
“Conceived and believed to be true / The Gentle Orchestra is in me and you.”
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The same a powerful light.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Sure of course many times, but I always get up improve, improvise and stay present with the end in open mind.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Quality
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Owning a cell phone
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegentleorchestra/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegentleorchestra
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jvyj6AehEBjkHdgHui
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thegentleorchestra
