Most musicians have been through the same frustration: after a few months or years of playing with a gigging band, it can feel like you’re just going through the motions. Business decisions come ahead of personal preferences. You book gigs because they’re good career moves, not because you like the venues. You play songs because you think the audience wants to hear them, not because you like the songs.

The primary rule in The Grape Ape Trust is that when it stops being fun, we stop. If we don’t want to play “Freebird” anymore, we find a song we like to play instead. If we need a night off from rehearsal, we take it. We take fun gigs even if they don’t pay that well. We have fun with the music, and that energy and lightness of heart comes through in our performance.

Our live shows showcase an especially wide range of styles because we have three singers and songwriters. Our original material, coming as it does from three different perspectives, sounds fresh, varied and innovative. CW’s wide range is balanced by Bryan’s more understated approach, and by Justin’s raw rock energy. We split up the vocals to be fair to each other, and because it makes a more interesting experience for the audience.

The Grape Ape Trust has played at the following venues:

1. Vaudeville Mews
   

2. DemiCon 20, 21 and 22
   

3. Des Moines Social Club
   

4. First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
   

5. Deacon’s Day 5
   

6. Smouse Opportunity School
   

7. Carlisle Christian Church
   

8. Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market
   

9. Chichaqua Greenbelt Park
   

10. Billy Joe’s Lounge
    

11. People’s on Court
    

CW and Bryan have also appeared on the Geek Speak webcast on webcastonelive.com and online in Second Life.