It is more than clear that Twin Cities band Goon Tribune loves the craft during their live studio recording session at Greenway Recording.
Originally named Dr. Goon and The Daily Tribune, lead vocalist Ian McCarthy describes their sound as concept rap with jazz influences from McCarthy’s childhood in New Orleans and bassist Nick Benish’s roots in high school jazz bands.
“I didn’t grow up here, so I was new to the whole basement show thing,” McCarthy said. “They don’t have basements in New Orleans.”
The band formed nearly a decade ago when McCarthy and Benish met through mutual friends while students at the University of Minnesota before eventually becoming roommates.
“When we all found ourselves in that big house, we just inevitably started playing music together,” McCarthy said. “We just started hosting parties and throwing live open mics at our basement, and that’s where it all just got on the petri dish and became what it is today.”
The two discovered they were the tenants of a former house venue called Como Cabana after moving in and kept the legacy going.
Benish studied computer science but found community in the music scene at college. He said his day job was simply a means to afford more basses.
“I was good enough at (computer science) that it made sense to have a responsible major, you know, to get a job,” Benish said. “But all of my friends are people I’ve met through bands and the music scene in the creative world.”
On the other side, McCarthy studied acting at the University while exploring his musical influences.
“At my very core, I’m a storyteller, and that is why I was really into and still am into theater,” McCarthy said. “Playing music has become a different way I have found to express myself. It’s very direct and feels like exercising a different part of me artistically than acting does.”
This theatrical expression is evident in their live performances and lyricism, as McCarthy wore a traditional lab coat to emulate the character Dr. Goon at the live session on Wednesday.
“The narrative follows Dr. Goon on his little exploits and adventures, and, you know, it’s silly on the surface but there’s a lot of truth that I think gets across if you look for it,” McCarthy said. “I like to call it concept rap.”
The character was inspired by the late MF DOOM, a British-American rapper who was known for conversational rhythm and his masked alter ego. The mask was featured in the live session, propped against the wall behind McCarthy.
The live session was hosted at Greenway Recording, a new recording studio located in Northeast Minneapolis that focuses on building community in music.
“I think the biggest thing is how important community is,” co-owner Jason Andriano said. “And being able to be a catalyst for a strong community.”
Co-owners Mason Meyers and Andriano said the studio records audio and video for the artists.
“With that, we’re able to have events like this, where we can bring in a small studio audience and have a band perform live, and then I can record video and audio at the same time and immediately get that content to the band to then use,” Meyers said.
As friends of Meyers, Goon Tribune said they were looking forward to their session featuring music from their upcoming album, releasing in the summer.
“It’s going to be kind of like a Jekyll and Hyde kind of deal,” McCarthy said. “I like to say the only limit is the limit to our creativity.”
