Four-Part Harmony, All-Parts Americana

Caleb Malooley delivers guitar, harmonica, and lead vocals for Michigan-based group, The Gasoline Gypsies. The Americana-steeped four-part harmonies – and melding of rock, folk, bluegrass and country – have gotten them noticed; they’re eight-time Detroit Music Award winners and appear both in intimate settings and at larger venues.

Malooley said he thinks bluegrass fans would really enjoy what The Gasoline Gypsies are doing. In particular, he mentioned the latest EP – Gravel Roads – and the upcoming EP, Hard Livin’.

“These tracks are deeply steeped in the roots of American music,” he explained. “We feel as though we have finally found our sound. We’ve come back full circle to our beginnings in American folk and bluegrass music.”

As is the case with many Americana groups, the band’s sound allows for meanderings and blendings that span genres. There are quite a few influences at play.

“I was brought up on classic rock, bluegrass and folk,” Malooley explained. “My biggest influences being James Taylor, Van Morrison, CSNY and the like. For 32 of my 34 years, I have attended the Wheatland Music Festival, a staple of the Michigan folk and bluegrass scene, and I can honestly say that the festival is the reason I started a career in music.”

He said for the rest of the band, there’s a wide variety of musical tastes: “Between the five of us, we appreciate pretty much any genre of music, with one thing in common…we just like good music.”

The band’s musicianship and lyrical quality are showcased in a recent release, “Mud in the Water.” It’s a simple analogy, but these words from the thoughtful song clearly describe a life transition we all pass through: “There’s mud in the water, and the magic’s gone.”

Malooley explained that “Mud in the Water” is about the gradual transition from childhood to becoming an adult. “When you’re young, especially in times before memory, everything is fresh, new and exciting…as you grow older, all those exciting things become mundane. Work, relationships, and the responsibilities of life in general are a constant distraction from the magic that still exists and becomes increasingly harder to find. Eventually, most of us start to lean more and more towards instant gratification and creature comforts just to try to feel some of that magic again.”

He said it was one of the easier songs to record on the EP.

“It all just kind of fell together and was wrapped up in a day or so, which I always think is the sign of a solid song. We recorded it right in our hometown of Port Huron.”

Malooley said there’s a core group of devoted fans vital to the band’s success so far. In continuation of the gypsy motif, they’re called The Vagabundos.

“The Vagabundos really are the backbone of this band,” he explained. “Some of these folks have been with us since the very beginning, something like 14 years now. We can honestly say we have the greatest group of fans out there. No drama, no jerks, no egos, just a bunch of great people and true music lovers. That attitude translates to our live shows, creating an environment where any new fans feel comfortable immediately. They are also the front line in getting our music out there and have been a huge part of our recent growth.”

As for the future, Malooley said The Gasoline Gypsies will be focusing on recording new songs, making music videos, and expanding the band’s presence online.

This year, they’ll release at least four to five new songs from the Hard Livin” EP.

“I know I can speak for the whole band when I say this group of songs and the title track in particular are by far our best work yet,” he said. “We are incredibly excited to get it out to the world.”