Safe to say there are so many artists out there continuing to blur the line of genres. There’s no longer a “one-size-fits-all” checkbox to categorize one artist over the other. This was 100% evident when four friends came together to form WHATEVER WE ARE. The four – Gabrielle Ross, Chris “Trippz” Michaud, Joey Castellani, and Ian Biggs – all come from different backgrounds and embrace different personalities but in a beautiful way, fit together so perfectly. We loved the story of how they all got together in the first place and how their band name came to be. Keep on reading to find out!
The Young Folks: For our readers just getting to know about you, can you tell us all how you all came together to form WHATEVER WE ARE?
Whatever We Are: We were four friends each pursuing our own musical and personal journeys with many highs and lows. We went into the studio together to create for one another’s projects and to breathe some new inspiration into making music. Then we accidentally created our first song “LIMBO.” We basically looked at each other and said: “What just happened?!” It was just undeniable chemistry.
TYF: How did you all decide on the band’s name?
WWA: At that same moment, Gabrielle said to Joey, “Maybe we should do a group project, but what would we call it?” Joey’s reply was, “I don’t know it’s just WHATEVER WE ARE” and it stuck. It was just the simple truth. We are all so different from one another and additionally versatile as individuals, yet we form this unpredictable family. We create what we feel without limitation, blending genres and breaking boundaries in an industry – and even a world – that tries to put you in a box and limit you. We are and want to inspire others to be true to their authentic selves.
TYF:You all were solo artists before jumping into a group. What kind of music were you all doing individually?
WWA: Gab was a NY born and raised pop artist, Trippz was a rapper/singer from CT, Ian also from CT was a singer/songwriter/guitarist, and Joey was a hip hop producer working out of his Grandma’s basement in Delaware.
TYF: How did you all collectively decide on what the final sound you’ll be creating?
WWA: To be honest, there is no final sound. We just create what we feel and start from a new blank canvas and a new formula every time. Our creative process is always changing. Some days we may lean more toward one genre than another, but since we each equally contribute to the creative process, we are naturally blending our various backgrounds and influences so it just organically sounds like “our sound.”
TYF: Congrats on your very first single “LIMBO”! Can you tell us a bit about the song?
WWA: “LIMBO” was the first song we ever created as a group. You get a glimpse into our individual stories and how they led us to one another when we needed it most. It’s about feeling lost and stuck but knowing somehow it will all work out.
TYF: What can we expect to hear from your upcoming EP?
WWA: We are excited to give you a glimpse of our many different sides on this EP. When you hear this project as a whole you will understand how and why we are genreless, yet cohesive. We always write from a real and honest place so you will learn about our individual journey’s, struggles, hopes, and experiences. There is someone for everyone to relate to in WWA.
TYF: How’s it been so far to work on this EP
WWA: We moved in together shortly after forming the band. It was the only way to consistently make music together being that we were all from different states and cities. That was almost three years ago and we haven’t stopped making music since. Many of these songs were created in the early stages of WWA right in our living room. We have so many more we are just really excited they are finally making it out of the Limbo house and into the world!
TYF: What are some goals you have for WHATEVER WE ARE to accomplish?
WWA: We have so many goals, but our main mission is to carry our theme of breaking boundaries and no limitations much farther than our music. To inspire others to be undeniably true to who they are and do this on the biggest scale possible. This is why we always wear white. It symbolizes unity and a blank canvas, open-mindedness and no judgments.
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