Most bands are somewhat formulaic in their songwriting approach. Not the five lads in progressive indie rock outfit Six Gallery. The group that formed in Athens during the summer of 2005, and now calls Columbus home, makes their songs as challenging as possible. “We write linear music that doesn’t repeat anything, so it’s never verse, chorus, verse, chorus,” said Ben Schreiber, the band’s guitar and keyboard player. “We want each song to start and end somewhere epic, and have a cool journey along the way.” Six Gallery also includes Daniel Francis on vocals and guitar, Benji Miller on drums, Will Vokac on guitar, and Alex Weinhardt on bass. They took their name from the 1950’s-era San Francisco gallery credited with launching the Beat Generation.
It’s only natural for such intricately crafted music to be inspired by complex subjects. Ben lists NPR figures Carl Kasell and Ira Glass as primary influences, but harbors a soft spot for “weird, slow Chicago indie music” like Ghosts and Vodka, American Football, and Owls. Six Gallery has based songs on everything from Mr. Show episodes and the cannibalism film Alive to a documentary about Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ eccentric relatives. “We want to be poppy and catchy, but still very technical,” explained Alex. Will’s obscene finger tapping skills tend to serve as the driving force behind their songs. “Will thinks about music in a way that I can’t even fathom,” Alex said. “It’s totally unconventional.” Dan, who used to be the singer for the band Pirate, joined the band last year and pens all of the lyrics. It took some work transitioning from an instrumental band to one with vocals. “We had to change our writing process completely, but we’re better off for it,” Alex said.
In June, Six Gallery self-released its first full-length album, Breakthroughs In Modern Art. It was recorded at Central City. They’re playing at a South by Southwest showcase in Austin near the end of February and hope to someday be permanently on the road. Kerouac would have been proud.
Six Gallery will perform on November 21 at Skully’s with The Receiver and It’s Birds, and on December 19 at Skully’s with Phantods, The Receiver, and The Alphabet. Ben and Alex also play in Weezer cover band The Pinkertones, which will perform on November 28 at Skully’s with Bookmobile and Old Worlds. Visit myspace.com/sixgallery and sixgallery.tumblr.com for more information.
Alexandra Kelley writes about music for Columbus Underground and can be reached at alexandra477.com.
