Greg Mendez

question: We are loving your self-titled album, can you tell us a little about the backstory of the album? When was it written and recorded?
answer: Thanks, it was recorded from early 2021 to early 2022. There’s not much of a backstory really, I just started recording songs I had written and let them become what they wanted to be. I’m always going back and tinkering with old songs and ideas so it’s hard to say when the album was written, some of the songs have been kicking around for a long time, but most of them were finished after the release of my last album, ‘Cherry Hell’. Or at least I decided they felt right to record during that time.
question: “Best Behavior” happens to be our favorite song off the album, what is that song about? What is your personal favorite song on your self-titled album?
answer: Thanks, glad you like that one. To me it deals with spite and what that looks like. And how sometimes spite is warranted but that doesn’t necessarily make it any prettier. But to be honest I really didn’t have anything I was trying to say when I was writing it. I almost never do. I just write what comes out. Now that it’s out in the world, I think whatever the listener feels from it is more important than what I make of it. I’m not really sure, maybe “Shark’s Mouth”. There are some things I don’t love about it but I like the ending.
question: Where do you currently reside and what do you like most about the area? What did your childhood consist of?
answer: I live in Philadelphia. I like that I can afford to live here and that a lot of people I care about are here. It has the greatest music scene in the world. I grew up in the suburbs. I don’t actually have very many tangible childhood memories but I do remember always struggling to fit in. I think I was dealing with things and feelings that I wasn’t equipped to deal with and it led to me treating myself very poorly in my teens and 20’s, and still now in some ways although overall I am much better to myself these days.
question: What is your favorite album to listen to on repeat? Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
answer: I like iwrotehaikusaboutcannibalisminyouryearbook’s 8 song demo a lot. And it’s short so it’s easy to listen to a few times. I’ve been into Cyndi Lauper’s debut album. I love a lot of old pop music. Things like Os Mutantes, The Kinks, Margo Guryan. Also home-recorded songwriters like Elliott Smith and Daniel Johnston.
question: Do you have any other creative outlets outside of music? What is the ultimate goal for your solo project?
answer: Sometimes I like drawing and taking pictures, but I haven’t done much of either lately. With the music, I’m not sure if I know what the goal is but I have been thinking about it lately while trying to navigate the response to this record. I want to make songs and albums that I think are good, and if other people like them too that’s even better. Making a little money with them that would be nice too and allow me to work harder at it, but the importance has to go in that order. Any other order isn’t realistic and it would feel hollow and not be worth it.