Está Vivo is Chicago's Ryan McMahon, plus friends.  Gracie is Philadelphia's Andrew Balasia.  The two outfits have a split cassette currently out on Two Michael Jordans Records, and Gracie's EP Treehouse will be released on vinyl by Small Plates Records in February.  Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/EstáVivo & https://www.facebook.com/petgracie.

QRO: So how long have Está Vivo & Gracie been around?  Have you gigged with other bands around Chicago/Philadelphia?

Está Vivo: Está Vivo's been around for maybe about two years or so.  The first year of that [Está Vivo] was just an idea and trying to get together what I wanted to do.  I have played with other bands around here: this band Whisker Music, Audiences, The Avantist, and some bands that have rolled through like Radiation City.

Gracie: I put my first tune out a little after I turned 21 back in April and played my first show as Gracie I think in June or July. 

QRO: Very cool, and when you're playing live is it a one-man act, or do fellow musicians sit in?

EV: I play live with five of my close friends.  They help me bring the music to life when they're not busy with their own projects.

G: Gracie is a solo project, but when I play out live I have a lead guitarist and bass player accompany me. 

QRO: You two have a split cassette released on Two Michael Jordans (MJ MJ) Records - were the musicians you perform with also on the recording?

EV: Yeah, there are some tracks that were recorded live and those are the ones they'll be on.

QRO: How do you records music?  In studio, with a producer?  Or at home, in a home studio set up, self-produced?

G: I record everything on my own in my bedroom- a little set-up that can be portable if need be...I have various instruments lying around.  I'm about to buy a keytar.

QRO: Keytar, nice.  So how did the collaboration for MJ MJ Records come about?

EV: Well, I had contacted MJ MJ Records in the past and shared my previous release, Together We Step, with them and they really liked it.  I was getting ready to record these new songs and I sent them an e-mail seeing if they were interested in releasing it, and they said they were.  I didn't have enough to do a solo release so they hooked me up with Gracie who I was familiar with before so it worked out great and I was totally stoked to do a release with him.

QRO: Is this the first time releasing music in a non-digital form for you?

EV: Yeah, this is the first time I'll be releasing music in a non-digital form.  I'm really excited for it, ya know, I've never really felt an ‘official' copy of my music in my own hands before, so it's nice and kinda weird at the same time.  I like how it's getting released on tape too.  I enjoy tapes and it's pretty cost efficient for everybody.

G:  This tape was the first physical release I put out, along with the EP coming out in February, which is getting pressed on wax.  Before that I put out a release with a digital label, Absent Fever, back in June.

QRO: By contrast with physical releases, how do you feel about the use and abuse of the internet for the dissemination of indie music?  Is the internet the bane or the savior of a struggling musician?

EV: Well, for me, the internet is definitely the savior.  I do feel like there's more advantages than disadvantages for upcoming independent artists.  In my own personal opinion I never really feel comfortable selling my music.  Everything I do is with the help of some really beautiful friends like T.J.K. and The Avantist who let me use their equipment and houses to record.  And my friend Yuki Tasaka mixed and mastered this latest release for free, so I really don't spend any money in recording and all that.  If MJ MJ weren't releasing it, it would definitely be free, and with the internet is very easy for me to send it all over the world and share it with everyone.  I'm just more of a fan of sharing than selling, so I'm okay with the internet. [laughs]

G: It still blows my mind that I can upload a song and within seconds it can be passed around and shared.  I love that.  Also, concerning the Interwebz, I think the ability to connect with so many people that share a common interest is very cool.  It's pretty surreal, to be honest.  It's gotten to the point where most of the music I listen is being made by people I consider friends.  However, at the same time, you kinda have to sort through the shit so to speak, because there's SO much music being uploaded at one time. 

QRO: What are your influences?  What music is happening right now that gets you excited about performing, composing, making music?

G: I guess everything is an influence to me, but mainly what I'm feeling at a particular time.  My opinions and understanding of things will change as I get older and it only makes sense that music would reflect that.  I suppose what gets me going is the pace of everything.  Things move so fast with the Internet, which in return keeps everything exciting.  There's never a dull moment and I'm constantly looking forward to something.  I've only played a handful of shows as Gracie, but playing live is something I'm addicted to and feels right. 

G: I wanted this EP to be somewhat playful and young sounding, so I started thinking about childhood stuff.  I always wanted a treehouse when I was growing up and I never got the chance to have one.  Maybe when I get older and have money I'll be able to build a really elaborate one someday.  I like the idea of being 45 hangin' with my buds in a tree.  It's also the title of one of my favorite Arthur Russel songs. 

QRO: Tell me about your local scenes.  Está Vivo, you're a Chicago guy, and Gracie is out of Philadelphia.  Any favorite local music haunts?

EV: What I love is that Chicago definitely knows how to throw a good house or warehouse party, those are definitely my favorite.  As a whole though, I think the scene in Chicago is kinda messy.  With all the shitty weather for most of the year I feel like people get lazy and don't participate or get involved with the scene.  I love Chicago - it's no New York or Los Angeles, but the thing is that we have enough great artists to make Chicago an even better place artistically.

G: My favorite room in the city is by far Johnny Brenda's.  Amazing sound, very hospitable, and they hook you up with falafel in the green room.  The Philly scene is pretty tight knit, everyone typically knows about everyone.  The support you get here is great too.  I also enjoy being close to NY, so I can play up there as well. 

QRO: Está Vivo, any venues or DIY spaces that you particularly enjoy playing at?

EV: I really had a great time at The Hideout when I played with Radiation City.  I think that might be my favorite venue right now.  Really great building and really great vibe, it's very intimate.

QRO: Está Vivo recently performed at a CHIRP (Chicago Independent Radio Project) meet & greet: how did that go?  Any comment on the importance of CHIRP, and similar indie boosters, for sustaining the local indie music scene?

EV: Oh man, that was great!  We had such a great time and the people from CHIRP are so beautiful.  CHIRP definitely is important with pushing local indie music.  They put together and promote a lot of events and really show people music they might have never heard.  They're a definite need for the indie music scene and they're doing one hell of a job.

QRO: What's up next for Está Vivo and Gracie?  New news?

G: I'm pretty stoked on this year.  I'm currently working on my first full length and playing XPN's Best of Bandcamp series in February.  I'm also playing SXSW in March and hopefully working on some sort of a tour in the summer. 

EV: Yeah, there's a lot going on right now.  I'm trying to get a video done for the release of the split.  I'm currently recording two brand new songs which I'll hand over to Bad Panda Records to release digitally; just about finished up with writing this new EP so hopefully I'll start recording that soon as well; an art collective I'm part of, Final Fight Family, which is run by my very good friends Jarvis Smith and Hussain Ewidah, are wrapping up a documentary they're doing, which includes myself and fellow musical artists, The Avantist, Jip Jop, plus many other great visual artists and filmmakers and all that.  Also, I'm writing a film with my best-friend Julio Vergara, which we'll do the score for; also in the process of getting more shows together for December and the new year.  Plus, I'm trying to get my broke ass to SXSW and get on some showcases. [laughs]

QRO: Full plate, both of you guys!  Thanks for chatting - looking forward to hearing more from both of you in the future.