BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Most days, the Bow gazebo is quiet, adding small-town New Hampshire charm to the center of town.
Sunday, Aug. 19, however, the gazebo will have a slightly different feel, thanks to local folk-rock act The Dusty Gray Band.
The four-man ensemble, consisting of three Bow High School graduates, Dusty Gray, Matt Jensen and Chris Noyes, got together only a few years ago, but their advanced knowledge of the music industry has helped them click and begin gaining popularity in their hometown.
The band’s lead guitarist, Jensen, bassist, Noyes, and drummer, Evan Gilles, are all music majors, something Noyes said has helped make it easier to gel.
“Matt and Evan are music majors too, so they understand a lot of different kinds of music and what it takes to make a good song, a good band and a quality product to put out there,” said Noyes. “So the level understanding and the know-how is what separates us from other bands in the area.”
Noyes first took an interest in music in about sixth grade and was in his first band by seventh grade, so the band scene is nothing new to him since.
“I’ve had my share of bands,” he joked.
Dusty Gray, 22, who plays acoustic guitar and is lead singer for the band, writes many of the songs the band plays and compared himself to someone who isn’t anywhere close to the music business.
“It’s kind of like Manny Ramirez. Sometimes I am just on a tear and everything is coming so easy, but there are times when I just can’t get anything going,” said Gray, whose musical influences many artists, including Aretha Franklin. “I can be coming up with songs left and right and just can’t get them out fast enough. But sometimes I just can’t get anything to come out. It’s when I am pushing too hard to get a song that I usually end up not liking it.”
The process usually starts when Gray hears a melody in his head, works that out into a good hook and then the rest comes naturally. Writing music is one of Gray’s favorite aspects of what he does.
“It may seem kind of selfish, but my favorite part about being a musician isn’t being up in front of a big crowd or anything like that. It’s just how I am able to express myself when I am playing and writing,” said Gray, who has written between 20 and 25 songs. “It’s just such a great way for me to get whatever is in my mind out.”
Noyes agreed with Gray.
“The creativity that comes out is probably my favorite part about being a musician, because as a music major, music is obviously a huge part of my life. Being able to play with Dusty and play that rock music, you get the creativity coming out that normally wouldn’t come out with other music you play,” said Noyes.
Gray’s ultimate hopes for the band are high. He hopes to make his career doing what he loves.
“The next level for us is that we want to be professional musicians and we want to be signed. Yeah, we’re young, but we have shown people that we aren’t the typical garage band,” said Gray, who also said the group mixes in a few cover songs to go along with its originals.
Although the four band members usually take time off from playing while Noyes, Jensen and Gilles head to school, Gray said this year they will play some shows during common time off throughout the year.