Getting The Wholesale Scoop on GIFTSHOP
GIFTSHOP was founded at Warren Street Studios, NYC in 2007, uniting members of Rochester's Bee Eater with NYC's The Hi-Scores. GIFTSHOP electrifies audiences with dynamic live shows earning them a dedicated following. The band's skilled songwriting and execution of multi-genre material is the genius of GIFTSHOP with Meghan Taylor's powerful vocals leading the way. The band has played at countless East Coast venues, primarily in New York City. Band members are originally from Rochester, New York, Dothan, Alabama, and Manhattan, NYC – but GIFTSHOP the band calls Astoria, Queens - where they are cult-icons – home. These Astoria indie scene- makers are also, apparently, an extraordinarily tidy band. Filling out the lineup is Matt Santoro on lead guitar and backing vocals, Jordan Kramer on drums, and Damian Eckstein on bass and backing vocals (and also responsible for one of the coolest bass intros we’ve known, but we’ll get to that).
Frontwoman Meghan Taylor lures in audiences with her delicious vocals, cool dance moves and unapologetic humor. Meghan is a force on stage – fiercely energetic, honest, vulnerable. She is a terrifically physical performer, who loves collaborating with her GIFTSHOP band mates both on stage and off. A powerhouse entertainer whose emotive vocal range is laced with just the right touch of sass, she adds instinctive movement that perfectly embodies each musical moment. You will enjoy the ride.
photo by C. Michael Clark
You have a gig coming up this weekend at Culture Lab in Long Island City. What's it like to perform there?
Meghan Taylor (lead vocals): Can’t wait! It’s a chance to make new friends/fans. Folks just passing by hear music and come have a listen. People that may not be the type to go to music clubs get a chance to hear us. Also, Culture Lab is attached to some amazing gallery spaces that are free to enjoy. I always get to the show early to check out the artwork.
Jordan Kramer (drums): They have been great to us for years and they provided a place to play and stream from during the pandemic. It’s an incredible space with art galleries, theater, food festivals, dance and of course great live music. This upcoming weekend will be our 6th performance at Culture Lab.
How would you describe your sound?
Meghan: Pop-y, punky, smart-assy. Not trying to change the world just throwing a great party and everyone is invited!
Jordan: Poppy punk rock that will pick you up, shake you around, and leave you dancing and grooving for hours after we finish.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Meghan: I don't think I can pick one. I've had so many great times. Playing a Troma Films show was pretty cool. I think playing outdoor shows and festivals is my favorite because people that wouldn't normally see us get to see us. New fans!
Damian Eckstein (bass/backing vocals): Getting our music on the TV show “The Rookie”. We all feel like our songs are sync-ready for movies, TV, ads - you name it, we got a song for it.
What's your favorite song to perform live and why?
Meghan: Well, that's an ever-changing thing, isn't it? It depends on my mood. What side of the bed I woke up on that day. If I'm feeling melancholy and earnest, “There's You” is a good one. But dance-y fun live would be “We Want You!”
Matt Santoro (lead guitar/backing vocals) “Doncha Know”. I get to make goo-goo eyes at the love of my life as we sing a duet together (note: Matt is married to lead singer Meghan Taylor).
Jordan: I'd say, “You Can’t Make Me” - I really like the way the song comes off live.
How would you describe Meghan's performance style?
Matt: Graceful and commanding of your attention. She’s a natural performer. It’s in her bones.
Jordan: High-energy movement executed perfectly for each song, and powerful vocals.
What is something about Meghan that you know of that might surprise her fans?
Damian: Meghan really likes Takis Fuego Chips.
Matt: Huge John Denver fan (editor's note: we did not know that and are duly surprised!)
Jordan: Meghan is a natural BlueHead.
Meghan Taylor at Arlene’s Grocery. Photo by GEKANYC.
Explain your #biginastoria hashtag
Damian: Years ago, hanging out at Dominie’s Astoria where Meghan is a bartender, when people found out we were in a band they would ask us if we were “big” and we would say, “yes, we are big. In Astoria.” We named our 2019 EP BIGINASTORIA.
Who are your biggest musical influences, both as a band and individually, and why?
Matt: The Beatles, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest
Damian: Within the group we frequently talk about what the Venn diagram of GIFTSHOP’s influences look like, personally I think it’s one part punk/metal, one part 80’s pop, and throw in some prog rock. If influences are specific artists one listens to over and over then for me it’s Depeche Mode, Peggy Lee, Slayer, Elvis, and any classic Dancehall, Reggae, or Ska.
Jordan: Toto, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Mozart, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Chicago. For me individually, as a drummer, Jeff Porcaro, Danny Seraphine, and John Bonham, I've been working on the Rosanna Shuffle since high-school, and there's a stretch on Chicago II that, if you can play clean, you don't have to wonder if you're any good at the drums, there's enough taxing difficult stuff there to make any drummer better.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a band?
Damian: Line-up changes over the years can affect everything in a group dynamic. But GIFTSHOP has perseverance or is just really stubborn and the roster we have now has been together for almost 9 years. We are good friends.
Jordan Kramer at Sofar Sounds NOMAD hotel - photo by Ayush Khaitan photography
What are your immediate goals for the band?
Meghan: I'd like to play some more festivals locally and out of town. Also, it would be great to get our tunes in some more tv shows, films, commercials...
Jordan: Get just famous enough that Hollywood types start using more of our tunes in movies and shows and maybe make enough money to have what one might consider a supplemental income. Not looking to get rich, just be less poor.
What's the most exciting thing happening for the band right now?
Damian: It’s summer so it’s time for outdoor shows! And we have guest artists from Butterbrain playing with us on a few tunes at our next gig. Brendan Stiles (trumpet and backing vocals) and Rob Miller (saxophone).
What is your favorite venue to play?
Matt: Culture Lab
Jordan: The Culture Lab in LIC. Close seconds would be Arlene's Grocery, and Dominie’s.
Damian: Culture Lab, Mercury Lounge and Otto’s Shrunken Head.
Meghan: My all-time favorite indoor space used to be Sullivan Hall. Unfortunately, it closed down years ago. I like Arlene's Grocery because it has an actual stage with great sound and lighting. But honestly, I enjoy the smaller local spots in Astoria like Alewife Brewery and Shillelagh Tavern. Culture Lab at Plaxall Gallery in LIC is an awesome outdoor space!
editor's note: sounds like Culture Lab it is!
How has your musical style evolved since you first started?
Damian: We’ve always been genre hackers. We’ll do a hardcore stomper and a torch song then a dark toe-tapper all in the same record or live set. Yet it all organically sounds like it comes from the same magical GIFTSHOP musical universe. And Meghan’s voice can handle anything so that makes the transition easy.
Describe your fans in one sentence
Damian : Amazing and supportive, a real community and scene.
What's one quirky or funny thing about your band that people might not know?
Jordan: Our Hospitality Rider primarily consists of Swedish Fish, BBQ Pringles, Modelos, and White Claw.
Damian : We are an extraordinarily tidy band; we get 5 stars as AirBnB guests.
Meghan: I'd say it's that we're all dorks, but that's probably pretty apparent? Haha!
What's a hidden talent or a non-musical hobby that you have?
Meghan: I have a secret hobby of gluing googly eyes and miniature things all around. I carry super glue in my purse, and I put tiny things in random places in the hopes that it will make someone's day when they happen upon it. Is that weird? Nah, it's fine.
Matt: Circuit bending, creating and building guitar pedals.
Jordan: Cooking up a storm. Acro-Yoga, and Rock Climbing.
Damian : I know Karate.
What's a song you wish you had written?
Meghan: Well, I think "Annie's Song" by John Denver is perfect. Absolute perfection. I wouldn't say I wish I'd written it but I'd sure be sad if it didn't exist. There are a few INXS songs that I think it'd be pretty cool to claim as mine; "Don't Change" and "Never Tear Us Apart"
Jordan: “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Matt: I’ve read that “Happy Birthday” made over 50 million dollars before it became public domain so that’d be a nice one to have under the belt.
See GIFTSHOP live at Culture Lab, LIC on Sunday, August 17th at 5:00 PM. Calendar | Culture Lab LIC | Art, Music & Theatre in Long Island City, Queens, NYC
Links:
Official Website: https://giftshoptheband.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GiftshopRocks
Bandcamp: https://giftshop1.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GIFTSHOPROCKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftshop_the_band/
New album: https://giftshop1.bandcamp.com/album/a-bunch-of-singles
GIFTSHOP - Doncha Know live at SOFAR SOUNDS - Matt (Lead guitar & backing vocals) talks about how this is his fave song to perform live since he gets to sing it with the love of his life (He is married to lead singer Meghan Taylor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHrw-LBoViM
GIFTSHOP Spooky Halloween Christmas live with Rob Miller on Saxophone
Special thanks to Nicole Vandestienne