Gavin Castleton

Gavin Castleton is a musician/songwriter/producer from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally known for his work with Gruvis Malt as keyboardist and singer, Castleton has released nine full-length albums and seven EPs as a solo artist. He has also released two full-length albums with action-adventure rock trio Ebu Gogo and two records with Orlando-based drum 'n bass hip-hop group One Drop. Castleton currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Gavin Castleton
Gavin Castleton without ear piercings, sitting on stairs in a blue shirt.
Gavin Castleton without ear piercings, sitting on stairs in a blue shirt.
Background information
OriginProvidence, Rhode Island, USA
Years active1995–present
LabelsFive One Inc., Integers Only, Hematoma Support Group
Websitewww.gavincastleton.com

History

Castleton is a founding member of Rhode Island band Gruvis Malt, with whom he has released five full-length albums as well as a number of various independently-released EPs.

2006–2009

From 2006 to 2008 he recorded and toured in Ebu Gogo, releasing two full-length albums, Chase Scenes 1-14 and Worlds. The band consists of Castleton and two members of Gruvis Malt, Brendan Bell and Justin Abene, with Jonny Lingo drummer Chase Leonard sometimes sitting in for Bell on drums.

In 2006, Castleton collaborated with playwright Cyrus Leddy to release the bizarre spoken-word album Grace Land[1] which chronicles the mundane life of Gary Tivoli, a clerk at a Staples store, including intimate details of his relationship with his girlfriend and his obsession with Seinfeld. Castleton performed the narration, which was adapted from a series of interviews that Leddy conducted with Tivoli.

Castleton has recorded and performed with several bands and musicians, including One Drop (with whom he recorded the Fortnightshift EP and One Drop's second full-length album, Of Love and Ambition), Paranoid Social Club, Club D'Elf, and Facing New York. He performed at the annual SXSW festival in 2007[2] and 2009, showcasing the Hospital Hymns EP and some material from Home.

In late 2007 he released A Bullet, A Lever A Key, the progressive hip hop EP that tells the story of an ever-deteriorating life in reverse-chronological order, beginning with his suicide in 2054 and ending backstage at a "present day" performance. His blog "The Great Consolidation" features entries from the future that expound on the storyline of A Bullet, A Lever, A Key and discuss his latest full-length album Home, the tale of a long term love affair interrupted by a zombie apocalypse.

On Halloween 2008 the first single from Home, "Unparallel Rabbits" was released digitally along with b-side, Gruvis Malt's "Since 1968" remixed by The Overclock Orchestra. On January 12, the second single from the album, "Coffeelocks", was released digitally along with b-side, "Shell". It enjoyed much airplay on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic (and lead to a live performance on the show in 2009). On February 13 the full album was released digitally, and on April 7 it was released in stores nationwide.

On October 12, 2009, Five One Inc. released The Random Anthems EP on iTunes. It contains three songs: Shell 2: Nephew of Shell (the sequel to Shell, produced by Zach Lipkins), Scared Scared Scared (previously released on the Japanese import of For the Love of Pete), and Hope is a Drug (produced by Overclock Orchestra). Hope is a Drug was Today's Top Tune at KCRW, and has enjoyed airplay on specialty radio shows around the country.

In Fall of 2009 he toured with a trio featuring Eduardo Torres on drums and Gray Robertson on bass, playing 67 self-booked shows criss-crossing the US. That tour also included a stint with Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin, and Fun, throughout which Castleton's trio was joined by members of Taking Back Sunday for the majority of his set.

2010–2011

On October 1, 2010, after a Kickstarter campaign, Gavin self-released Won Over Frequency, a collection of unreleased songs featuring Steve Choi, Matthew Fazzi, Keith Brush, Lex Land, Brandon Clemmens, Justin Abene, Steve Geuting, and several local Portland artists. Gavin posted a video of the album artwork-making process on his YouTube channel featuring the work of Aaron Nagel, Brendan Bell, Justin Muir, and Lorna Carman. In the Fall of 2010 the Castleton Trio toured to the east coast with Lex Land and Happy Body Slow Brain, who both joined him on stage throughout the show.

2012–2015

During the first half of 2012, Castleton focused mainly on releasing singles. Many were accompanied with a video, and were distributed via his blog, YouTube account, or various other media outlets. Some were related to his Won Over Frequency Kickstarter campaign, and were written to award certain individuals who made donations towards the completion of the album. On September 20, 2012 he performed live on Jimmy Fallon with the rapper Danny! and backed by the Roots.

Throughout 2013, Castleton kept a low profile. He performed live at SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival and released various singles in anticipation of his upcoming album.

On April 23, 2014, Castleton released a 16-song "mixtape" called #blessed, available for free download on his bandcamp page with the purchase of any piece of apparel. In May he did a two-week tour around New England with Happy Body Slow Brain to promote the record.

On October 11, 2014, Castleton released It Was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times, a five-song EP of "simple sad piano songs."

On December 25, 2014, Castleton released "Travelight," a narrative children's album inspired by The Little Prince, that featured songs written over the course of 10 years. It features Seth Castleton (Gavin's cousin) on cello, and Bob Castleton (Gavin's grandfather) as the narrator.

2015–2017

In the fall of 2015, Castleton toured as the keyboardist for Courtney Marie Andrews.

In October 2015, Castleton released the Halloween single "Grady," a "sonic prequel" to The Shining.

In 2016, Castleton joined The Dear Hunter on keyboards and backing vocals. The new lineup was premiered abroad, during the band's U.K. tour in March 2016. He released an exclusive 4-song EP called "The Punchline EP" in conjunction with a 2-month major market US tour supporting The Dear Hunter and Eisley.

From June 8 to July 1, 2017, Castleton combined forces with Rare Futures to tour the US as the supergroup "FutureCastle," playing songs from both artists' catalogs. On June 2, 2017, they released the FutureCastle EP on limited edition vinyl, featuring four cover songs (including Castleton's arrangements of Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now" and Hall and Oates' "Maneater").

2018–present

On October 31, 2018, Castleton posted a lyric video for his Halloween single "I Choose You," inspired by the Teddy Perkins episode of Donald Glover's show Atlanta.

On September 10, 2019, Castleton released Weak Intl., a 5-song micro-EP of "corporate clap-backs," on digital streaming platforms and bandcamp.com. The collection of 1-minute rants were inspired from Castleton's experience working in the tech industry.

On October 16, 2019, Castleton released a #deathed, a compilation of his Halloween singles. He published a lyric video for his 2019 Halloween single, Pelle (a tribute to Ari Aster's horror/break-up film Midsommar).

On Nov 1, 2019, A Bullet, A Lever, A Key and Travelight were released on vinyl. For the month of November, Castleton performed select US dates as both the keyboardist and solo support act for The Dear Hunter.

On Dec 3, 2019, Castleton released the Red Poison EP, a collection of 5 songs penned by Castleton's step-daughter, Bloomer, over the course of two years (when she was aged 4 to 6 years old). The songs feature production and vocals by Castleton, as well as Bloomer's mother, Alexis Henry.

On Apr 23, 2020, Castleton released a full-length album, "Here You Go", on bandcamp.com.

On June 12, 2021, Castleton has left The Dear Hunter, citing being at a point in his life that he cannot "[contribute] the appropriate time, energy, and focus" that the "many amazing and ambitious TDH events and releases" would require.

Discography

Solo releases

  • Dark Age (2004)
  • Hypotenuse (2004)
  • FortNightShift (EP) (2005)
  • Grace Land (2006)
  • Hospital Hymns (EP) (2007)
  • For The Love of Pete (2007)
  • A Bullet, A Lever, A Key (EP) (2007)
  • Window 23 w/ Stateless (7") (2008)
  • Home (2009)
  • Random Anthems EP (2009)
  • Covers (compilation) (2009)
  • Won Over Frequency (2010)
  • "Covers (extended edition)" (2013)
  • "#blessed Mixtape" (2014)
  • Travelight (EP) (2014)
  • It Was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times (EP) (2014)
  • The Punchline (EP) (2016)
  • The FutureCastle EP w/ Rare Futures (2017)
  • Weak Intl. (Micro-EP) (2019)
  • #deathed (compilation) (2019)
  • Here You Go (2020)

Full discography

A detailed list of every release Castleton has been a part of as either a songwriter, performer, engineer or producer.

DatePerformerTitle of releaseMediaRole
1993SubgeniusSubgeniuscassette"engineering," vocals, keyboards, drums, graphic design
1995Gruvis MaltEmiquis Squerve Democassettekeyboards, graphic design
1996West Coast Groove SatelliteWest Coast Groove Satellitecassette"engineering," "mixing," all composition, keyboards, vocals, graphic design
West Coast Groove satelliteFunkin' Go Nutscassette"engineering," "mixing," most composition, keyboards, vocals, graphic design
Gruvis MaltBreakfast All Daycassetteproduction, mixing, keyboards, vocals, graphic design
1997Gruvis MaltFetus EPcassetteproduction, mixing, keyboards, vocals, graphic design
1998Gruvis MaltCromagneticCD(aside from credits of two cassettes that were reprinted) production, vocals, keyboards, graphic design
1999Gruvis MaltSound SoldiersCDproduction, mixing, keyboards, samples, vocals, graphic design
FlintOne Degree EPCDengineering, production, mixing, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, samples, vocals, graphic design
2000Gruvis MaltBackout Smiling EPCDkeyboards, vocals, graphic design
2001Locale AMSounds of SpringCDvocals on track 3
Grüvis Malt3 Radio hits demoCDengineering, production, mixing, keyboards, vocals, drum sequencing, graphic design
Keith CariniUntitledunreleasedengineering, mixing, keyboards
2002EthanPrincipia EPCDvocals
Brandon ClemmensThe InconvincibleCDengineering, mixing, "mastering," keyboards, graphic design
Gruvis MaltPromotional Interactive CD #1CDengineering, mixing, keyboards, vocals, flash programming
Gruvis MaltPromotional Interactive CD #2CDengineering, mixing, keyboards, vocals, flash programming
Gruvis Malt...With the Spirit of a Traffic JamCDengineering, mixing, production, keyboards, vocals, percussion, sequencing, graphic design
2003VismalVolume 1: A Correspondence Course in Best FriendshipCDRengineering, mixing, "mastering," keyboards, vocals, sequencing, graphic design
Sage FrancisDead Poet Live AlbumCDkeyboards
2004Gruvis MaltSimonCDkeyboards, vocals, graphic design
Gavin CastletonHypotenuseCDengineering, mixing, production, all composition, keyboards, drums, bass, guitar, cornet, mellophone, vocals, sequencing, graphic design
Gavin CastletonDark AgeCDengineering, mixing, production, all composition, keyboards, drums, bass, guitar, cornet, mellophone, vocals, sequencing, graphic design
2005MadjkutThe FlintCDkeys on tracks 7-9
Gavin Castleton / One DropFortNightShift EPCDengineering, mixing, composition for tracks 1-4, keyboards, vocals, graphic design
Johnny BassI Wish You Could Love MeMP3vocals
MontyThe Red ShiftCDguitar and bass engineering on tracks 2 and 4-8, keyboard production and sequencing on tracks 2, 5, 6, and 8
Jonny Classic & The Classic JohnsYour New Favorite RecordCDmixing, additional production, violin on track 6, assisted graphic design
Sage FrancisRoad Tested (2003–2005)CDkeyboards
Andrew BrownCommunal Abuse remixdigitalproduction, additional keyboards
Ryan McCalmonCome HomeCDkeyboards and additional production/arrangement on track 1, 3, 4, 5
Gruvis MaltMaximum UnicornCDengineering, production, mixing, keyboards, vocals, string arrangements, sequencing, mellophone, cornet, guitar on track 6
VismalVolume Zero: Cover GirlsCDRmixing, "mastering," sequencing on track 5, production on track 6, vocals on tracks 2 and 5, keyboards on tracks 4, 6, 7, and 10, arrangement on track 1, 4-6, 10
2006Ebu GogoChase Scenes 1-14CDRkeyboards, engineering, mixing (both with Justin Abene)
Gavin Castleton & Cyrus LeddyGrace LandCDvocals, engineering, production, keyboards, guitar (except track 8), sequencing, mixing
2007Gavin CastletonHospital Hymns EPCDvocals, engineering, production, keyboards, string arrangements, bass, drums, guitar (except track 2 and 5), sequencing, mixing, graphic design
Gavin CastletonA Bullet, a Lever, a Key EPCD, vinylvocals, production, keyboards, composition, additional percussion, sequencing, mixing (with Rob Pemberton), graphic design
Gavin CastletonFor the Love of PeteCDvocals, production, keyboards, composition, sequencing, mixing, graphic design (with Jenny Lederer)
2008One DropOf Love and Ambitiondigitaladditional engineering, production, keyboards, horn and vocal arrangement, sequencing and additional percussion, guitar on track 8 and 10
Ebu GogoWorldsCDsynthesizers
Stateless feat. Gavin Castleton"Window 23/The Great White Whale" 7"vinyl & digitalvocals
Gavin Castleton"Unparallel Rabbits"/"Since 1968" Overclock Orchestra Remixdigitalvocals, composition, keyboards, sequencing, production, graphic design
2009Gavin Castleton"Coffeelocks"/"Shell" (produced by Zach Lipkins) (single)digitalvocals, composition, keyboards, sequencing, production
Gavin CastletonHomeCDvocals, composition, keyboards, sequencing, production, additional percussion
Gavin CastletonRandom Anthems EPdigitalvocals, composition, keyboards, sequencing, production, guitar
Gavin CastletonCoversCDRvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, guitar, cornet, melophone
2010BlakFeast for a Kingdigitalcomposition, production, mixing, sequencing, keyboards, guitar
Gavin CastletonWon Over FrequencyCDvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production
2011Gavin Castleton"Swim Good" (Frank Ocean cover) (single)digitalproduction, mixing, sequencing, vocal
Gavin Castleton"Diamonds" (featuring Lex Land) (single)digitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production
Gavin Castleton"Chameleon" (single)digitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production
Blue CranesOversea Orbits: Observatories RemixedCD"Maddie Mae" remix
2012Danny!Payback[3]digitalvocals
Gavin Castleton"Tangerines" (single)digitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
2013Will Star"Better Tomorrow" (single)digitalvocals
Gavin Castleton"Falling" (Twin Peaks Theme cover feat. Lex Land)digitalarrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
2014Gavin Castleton#blessedCDvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
Gavin Castleton"The Middle" (Jeffrey Martin cover)digitalvocals, arrangement, sequencing, production, mixing
Gavin CastletonIt Was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times EPCDvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
Gavin CastletonTravelightdigital, vinylvocals, arrangement, piano, production, mixing
2016Gavin CastletonThe Punchline EPCDvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
Rare FuturesThis Is Your Brain on LoveCD, vinylvocals & keyboards on Track 10
The Dear HunterAct V: Hymns with the Devil in ConfessionalCDvocals on "The Haves Have Naught", piano on "Mr. Usher (On His Way to Town)", additional synthesis on "A Beginning"
2017FutureCastleThe FutureCastle EP10" vinylvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
The Dear HunterAll Is as All Should Be EPCDkeyboards, backing vocals
The ArchaeologistOdysseys EPCDkeyboards on track 7
Gavin Castleton"Guest" (single)digital singlevocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
2018The Dear Hunter / Between the Buried and MeSplit EPCD and 7" vinylkeyboards
Gavin Castleton"I Choose You" (feat. Benny Hope & Teddy Perkins) (single)digitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
2019Gavin CastletonWeak Intl.digitalvocals, production, mixing, mastering
Gavin Castleton#deathed (compilation)digitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
Red Poisonself-titled EPdigitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing
2020Gavin CastletonHere You Godigitalvocals, arrangement, keyboards, sequencing, production, mixing

References

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