Student by Day, Street Musician by Trade

Being a student can be rough, but trying to excel in school and launch a music career? That’s just impressive.

That is exactly what Jack Grendel, a junior History major, is doing. A student by day, a street musician by trade. Jack comes to East Lansing from the Traverse City music scene and has become a recognizable street musician on Grand River in front of the Steve & Barry’s plaza.

Many students heard Jack Grendel play his acoustic folk during the nice warm days the first week of classes on street corners north of campus, myself included.

I sat down with Jack Grendel to get a little more information about his upcoming shows, recently released recordings, and to get passed the music and meet the man.

The Spartan Review: As a recognizable fixture on Grand River, what is your favorite part of being a street musician?

Jack Grendel: Stories, every person has at least one good story to tell, and people tend to tell me their stories. I have heard tales from all walks of life and from every point of view.

SR:You recently recorded new music under a new name (Jack Grendel). What has changed from your previous recordings under Would You Could You With A Mouse? to your new album besides your name?

JG: Changes? As far as I know, this has been my name my entire life. Unless you know something I don’t.

SR: Who are your biggest influences?

JG: I draw a lot from many of folk music’s classic figures, like Woody Guthrie, LeadBelly, Mississippi John Hurt, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, as well as more contemporary artists like Conor Oberst, Ryan Adams, and of course, Old Crow Medicine Show.

SR: What about East Lansing makes it a great place to be making music today?

JG: Well, the great thing is that there is so little. You know, no one has ever hit it really big here, and so there is just one concentrated fan group and people are more open to new music.

SR: What are your plans upon graduating from MSU and do they include continuing with music?

JG: I don’t believe in the future, so I don’t waste my time planning something that isn’t. I would rather spend more of my energy enjoying the present than worrying about a future that may or may not ever come to pass.

SR: If our readers would like to give your new music a listen, where can they find you, besides street corners?

JG: I have a Myspace that has some home recordings on it, nothing too fancy. That can be found at www.myspace.com/jackgrendel and once I get my album Home? in print, I will try and get it in stores like FBC (Flat, Black, & Circular) on Grand River, but that’s all just speculation.

So if you’ve heard Jack Grendel on the streets, or even if you haven’t, check him out online or at The Small Planet in East Lansing on Thursday, October 8th at 8:00. Look for updates for his upcoming shows in the East Lansing area and support this local musician and fellow student.