Since the band’s inception in 2012, Pittsburgh’s Daily Grind have dedicated themselves to honing their craft, handing out demos to friends at house shows, relentlessly touring across the nation. As a result, Daily Grind has grown from just a group of college kids known for packing parties into a true grassroots phenomenon. Their rallying cry has become the key to their success: “Stay grinding!”
Their debut album, I Did Those Things, which dropped via Misra records on May 13, was recorded in a three-month span at The Wilderness Recording Studio by producer/engineer J. Vega (White Wives, Roger Harvey) and mastered by Grammy winner Kramer (Galaxie 500, Low). The record is a culmination of the time and effort the band has spent establishing their sound: the magnitude of the drums and the crunch of the guitars are tailored for fans of Incubus and The Black Keys. But the electricity and intensity that come through are something all their own. Lovers of ’90s and ’00s independent rock will find lots to love about I Did Those Things.
Ghettoblaster caught up with Daily Grind’s Brad Hammer to discuss their latest LP, the recording process and grinding.
You released your latest LP in May.  How was it been received so far?
It’s the most accessible record we’ve made, and it’s been accepted as such
You guys recorded the LP over a two-month span.  What was that experience like?
Beautifully hectic we wrote, recorded, and released the whole project in less than three months.
How did you select J. Vega to work with?
Our label introduced us to him, and his vibe fit what we were looking for in the record.
How important is being dedicated to a grind when you are an independent band?
Most important. If you stop riding that, everything falls through and falls apart. You have to believe in what you want.
I’m from Ohio so a Black Keys-like influence here seemed apparent to me.  Are they an influence for you?  If so, what is it about the band that you admire?
Dan Auerback is a genius. The overall vibe of their record resonates with us. And on the “grind” top, they released their first handful of records before gaining their major success, and by that point, most bands would lose their vibe, but they hit their stride and grew.
What is it about the scene in Pittsburgh that nurtures you as an artist?
It doesn’t nurture you as much as it pushes you to be better because of the competition. There’s a tight knit group that work together, but it’s not a scene you can just walk into – it’s gotta be worked for.
What is the band doing in terms of a support cycle for the LP?
Summer tour from May thru the end of July, actively building our online presence, and hoping for an organic growth of the record through genuine interest and love for the music.
(Visit Daily Grind here: http://www.dailygrindmusic.com/#music-1.)