FORKSTER INTRODUCTION ARTICLE TO CALISSA & RAYMOND
Grieve The Astronaut is a phenomenal independent piano swirling pop-rock band residing stateside out of the beautiful Pacific Northwest’s rocking city of Tacoma. GTA has wreathed a belief, motivation and infinite potentiality for dreamers.
Raymond Hayden (founder of GTA) and Calissa Knox (GTA member) are the radiating main music centring (pianos/vocals/synths). Grieve the Astronaut is still going strong as a full band music outfit, just how the music winds go sometimes and in this case with a mesmerizing music project flighting out between Calissa & Raymond, they’re igniting their music voyage to ear modules around the globe throughout 2019. FORKSTER is here to tell you all about their extraordinary happening.
The Creation of Calissa & Raymond
Years before the conception of “Grieving The Astronaut” was formed it seemed like two of the crucial ingredients of GTA (Raymond Hayden and Calissa Knox) were on a path to musically collide and explore future grooving piano/synth wave trails together.
A mother and her teenage daughter at the time (Calissa) were in a used bookstore that was soon to go out of business. As the teen was captivated by the massive amounts of books in the warehouse’s environment well, this was an absolutely legitimate treasure cove for her. With the store practically ‘giving them all away’ she was embedded with a very interested foresight and began in walking up and down the aisles and reading the titles of mass books stationed all over the area, you name it’ with wherever you looked you saw covered writings. The curly haired book enthusiast then made an aisle decision that would go on to be a game-changer for everybody involved. As she walked down the library lane her steps came to walking in the path to a scratched up, blue and yellow CD case and when almost passing it by a black grand piano caught her curious eyes on the laser discs cover. Calissa was blossoming into a rising pianist. She adored composing pieces and so she curiously picked up the CD off the dusty floor and noticed next that the price was a wonderfully marked 50 cents, and decided “This looks interesting” and then went on to purchase it. When getting it home she went straight at listening to it and immediately began to feel a mighty connection to the music. The depth and passion heard truly went on to relating greatly to her and translating her inner feelings for it into music Calissa composed herself. An inner delight was with her that another music artist was musically speaking with her on the same emotional hemisphere.
This miraculous music encounter, “A Doorway Through Your Tears” quickly turned into being one Calissa’s cherished albums. She was beginning to dream of that special someday of ‘face to face’ meeting the brilliant pianist and music composer, Raymond Hayden. As immediate as she felt a buzz for their one day introduction there was an unfortunate reality thinking that “Surely he must locate out of some far away place.”
Through this chance discovery, A Doorway Through Your Tears fast became one of her favourite albums and she began to dream of someday actually meeting the amazing pianist and composer, Raymond Hayden. But, unfortunately, her hopes were tempered with reality. “Surely he must live in New York City or someplace far away”, she thought. On that note, she had to put aside with the reality of the chances were awful slim’ in meeting that great music’s mastermind. Calissa then went on naturally listening and schooling from his fantastic music while going forth composing her own material.
Years later Raymond was chilling back with a good cigar with dearest of friends and one started a chat up about a young music marvel in his church band. Young, but a devotee with being a naturally gifted pianist and an innate understanding of music well beyond her years. It was like whatever you put in front of her she could play it well, for sure!
Conversations kept up regularly at the cigar lounge on this amazing musician talent and Raymond was becoming interested in knowing and hearing more. Then, one evening Raymond’s friend introduced him to Calissa’s dad and they chatted shortly with her dad giving him a copy of his daughters new, solo piano album, “Forgotten Road”. Raymond returned the good gesture with handing a copy of his new album “September Sky” and he arrived home with it for his now then, curly-haired teenage daughter, Calissa. When he went ahead in presenting it to her, he was so surprised to see this huge brightness for her face and then vibrantly coming out with the words “Raymond Hayden?!?” And then some more with “You actually met him?!!!”
On the flip side of it….Raymond was truly loving what he heard on Calissa’s album and days soon after scheduled up a meeting for the two of them to chat and play for a bit on the piano. You can say that their inaugural meeting and greeting went so exceptionally well for that they wrote a song together that memorable first day (watch here via YouTube for their first collaboration.) He truly wanted to give encouragement to this sensational young music artist and went on to invite her and Calissa’s father to take in a practice live in person for an exciting new band he was introducing soon then, called Grieve The Astronaut.
Calissa was elated to see them perform and truly loved everything that she heard that day. Infact, it gets even better for her where Raymond after that practice invited her to try out his keyboard. The band was all packing up but all took in the beautiful music mastery she was magically spreading to each of their own music ear orbits. It was nothing short of being ‘striking and spectacular’. Always open to options for creative music ideas Raymond got to it soon after that rehearsal in asking Calissa if she would like to compose a medley of all the songs on their upcoming album. She ecstatically agreed to do so and this became “The Law of Jante”, the 1st song off of their GTA album, and the overture for the first GTA concerts (http://bit.ly/LawOfJante2015). Calissa was just 18 at the time.
Raymond recently went on expanding and telling me about that assignment /experience with Calissa:
“We actually collaborated on that song.” I asked her to take all of the hooks for the songs on GTA that I had written and combine them into an overture. So she wrote a melody that combined all of my hooks…she did an amazing job.”
Calissa & Raymond….Since then
Calissa and Raymond have gone on to continue to invent new music creations together. They demand and dazzle each other daily and have configured an enchanting GTA “Satellite” show of their own, with an invigorating and unique mix of piano and synths sure to musically stimulate rocking audiences of all sorts.
Calissa & Raymond: The Now!
Calissa & Raymond from “Grieve The Astronaut” (GTA) are excited to be taking their duo project on the road. They will be doing a sleuth of shows in May (2nd to the 12th) throughout the beautiful European country of Denmark. The musical two are mostly going to share their music that already exists in a creative instrumental way, with Raymond playing an electric piano (YAMAHA CP300) and Calissa also on keys with using a NORD ELECTRO 3 (for Strings/Organ sounds) and a KORG R3 (for Synthesizer atmospheres). They will be performing existing originals from the GTA groups debut album, some cover versions (by music artists: Pink Floyd, Tears for Fears, Elton John, Queensryche, Europe), some new songs off of the recent album release by Raymond entitled “Accidental Grace” and some improvisational New Age progressive music vibes.
**UPDATE** Very sadly, the tour has had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond Calissa’s & Raymond’s control. So further on that note, their two-part scheduled interview (Part One in May and Part Two in July) will now turn into a full 10-question and answer interview session in April with Raymond Hayden where we will discuss in detail on his sensational recent album release (late 2018) “ACCIDENTAL GRACE”. Stay tuned for further details to be added here eventually on it.
GTA Video & New Song Coming in 2019.
For ones interested in the duo’s platform on their upcoming Denmark tour, via YouTube BELOW you can check out RAYMOND & CALISSA’S LIVE MUSIC VIDEO – ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTAL. Also, Raymond has enthusiastically informed me that a brand new song by GTA is on their 2019 new music horizons too. We here at FORKSTER will keep you up to date with the release and will hopefully get to premiere it here for my rocking faithful viewers.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT for an exclusive two-part interview series with Calissa and Raymond at FORKSTER (www.forksterocks.net) on their upcoming tour (Part One – end of April and Part Two – beginning part of June 2019).
Checkout ~Grieve The Astronauts~ at:
Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/grievetheastronaut/
Twitter = https://twitter.com/mauricethefish
YouTube = https://twitter.com/mauricethefish
Buy and/or Stream GTA at:
Digital on iTunes
Purchase Physical Copy of GTA Album on CD
Stream their songs at their Spotify
Calissa Knox and Raymond Hayden of GRIEVE THE ASTRONAUT have a unique story and synergy that goes well beyond the story of GTA. They are the core of GTA and perform under the brand of the band. In 2018, they will begin incorporating their own original piano compositions into the thread that GTA has woven of hope, inspiration and endless possibilities for dreamers. Calissa and Raymond will begin performing as a duo throughout the West Coast with a possible mini-tour in Denmark and Germany in the Spring of 2019.
When Worlds Collide
The Raymond & Calissa Story
...Like planets hurtling through Space before the creation of time, two crucial components of the musical band, Grieve The Astronaut, were on a mysterious path of collision, even before the band was conceived. Except, instead of cosmic forces and sonic booms, this collision simply began with the clickity-clack of a single CD as it dropped to the dusty floor of a used bookstore...Fast-forward to sometime later... a mom and her young, curly-haired daughter read the sign on the door as they walked in: "Going Out of Business - Ridiculously Low Prices - Everything Must Go" The manager hurriedly explained, "Lease is up. Have to be out by the end of the month."
As the young girl’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she looked around in awe at the gigantic warehouse stuffed full of books. This was a goldmine. The store was practically giving them all away! Filled with curious anticipation, she began to walk up and down the aisles as she read the titles of books stacked everywhere in shelves, and haphazardly on tabletops. She unknowingly turned and walked down the aisle where the CD had crashed to the floor sometime before. Barely aware, she lengthened her stride to step over its scratched, blue & yellow case when something caught her eye: somewhat inconspicuously, there was a black grand piano on the cover. This young girl happened to be a budding pianist and loved to compose, so she picked it up, saw the price was only 50 cents, and thought, "This looks interesting. Why not?"
Deep-Space Communication
She took it home and immediately began to feel a strong connection to the music. It was deep and passionate, and it spoke to her, translating her very feelings into notes. Strangely, it was much like the music she herself composed, and she felt as if this artist and she were speaking the same language, communicating the same thoughts and emotions.
Through this chance discovery, A Doorway Through Your Tears fast became one of her favorite albums and she began to dream of someday actually meeting the amazing pianist and composer, Raymond Hayden. But, unfortunately, her hopes were tempered with reality. “Surely he must live in New York City or someplace far away”, she thought.
So, years went by ... because "What are the chances?" She’d have to be content with simply listening and learning from his beautiful music as she continued to compose her own.
Surprised By Destiny...
However, sometimes, we get a glimpse that life is not entirely up to us...Years later, Raymond Hayden was relaxing, enjoying a good cigar in the company of friends, when one began to talk about a young prodigy in his church band. She was so young, but a savant – a naturally gifted pianist with an innate understanding of music well beyond her years. An exceptional musician, who could instantly play anything he threw at her.
During their regular evenings at the cigar lounge, this young musician kept coming up in conversation. Raymond was intrigued.
And then one evening his friend introduced him to her dad. They talked briefly and the dad gave him a copy of his daughter’s new, solo piano album, Forgotten Road. The face of a young, curly-haired girl filled the cover. Raymond reciprocated, giving the dad a copy of his new album, September Sky. The dad thought, "This looks interesting. Why not?" and carried it home to give to his, now, teenage, curly-haired daughter, Calissa. As he presented this new treasure, he was surprised to see her eyes grow big and her face instantly light up: “Raymond Hayden?!?” she exclaimed. “You actually met him?!!!”
Meanwhile...Raymond loved what he heard on Calissa’s album, so he soon set up a meeting to talk and play a little bit on the piano. They hit things off so well they wrote a song in that meeting, and you can see their collaboration, here: 1stCollaboration. Wanting to encourage the young artist, Raymond invited Calissa and her dad to watch a practice for an exciting new band he was forming, called Grieve The Astronaut.
Calissa was thrilled to watch GTA in action and, of course, she loved the music. After practice, Raymond invited her to try out his keyboard as the band was packing up, and as she began to play, it was like magic filled the room. Heads turned and the heavens stood still. The music was stunning. Drummer, Chris Tussing, was shocked when he returned to the room and realized it was Calissa. “I thought Raymond was playing!” he said. Raymond’s creative wheels began to turn, and he soon asked if Calissa would compose a medley of all the songs on their upcoming album. She agreed, and this became “The Law of Jante”, the first song on their debut album, and the overture for the first GTA concerts (http://bit.ly/LawOfJante2015). Calissa was just 17 at the time.
Since then...
Raymond and Cali continue to create new music together. They challenge and inspire each other daily, and have developed a special GTA “Satellite” show of their own – an exciting, creative mix of piano and synth sure to inspire audiences of all kinds.
Fellow Astronauts ~ Communication is Vital to Your Mission...
Raymond and Calissa want to communicate with you. The purpose of Grieve The Astronaut is to inspire YOU to dream big. They’re convinced we all have a spark of genius, and that shockingly wonderful things can happen if we’re open to the unexpected in our lives. They believe you have a mission...and for such an important mission you could likely use a little life support. They want to provide the soundtracks that inspire you to step out into the unknown of your own unique, one of a kind, Great Adventure.
So, let GTA be your Base Camp for “oxygen” and “vital supplies”. Keep in close “astronaut communication” via email. They won’t spread your address throughout the Universe, but will send inspiration, special offers, and ongoing news to help navigate your special journey with a tune in your helmet!
If you'd like us to let you know when and where we will be performing as either a duo or full band, please go to the CONTACT section on our website and fill out the details.
Live your dreams...
Hope exists...
As the young girl’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she looked around in awe at the gigantic warehouse stuffed full of books. This was a goldmine. The store was practically giving them all away! Filled with curious anticipation, she began to walk up and down the aisles as she read the titles of books stacked everywhere in shelves, and haphazardly on tabletops. She unknowingly turned and walked down the aisle where the CD had crashed to the floor sometime before. Barely aware, she lengthened her stride to step over its scratched, blue & yellow case when something caught her eye: somewhat inconspicuously, there was a black grand piano on the cover. This young girl happened to be a budding pianist and loved to compose, so she picked it up, saw the price was only 50 cents, and thought, "This looks interesting. Why not?"
Deep-Space Communication
She took it home and immediately began to feel a strong connection to the music. It was deep and passionate, and it spoke to her, translating her very feelings into notes. Strangely, it was much like the music she herself composed, and she felt as if this artist and she were speaking the same language, communicating the same thoughts and emotions.
Through this chance discovery, A Doorway Through Your Tears fast became one of her favorite albums and she began to dream of someday actually meeting the amazing pianist and composer, Raymond Hayden. But, unfortunately, her hopes were tempered with reality. “Surely he must live in New York City or someplace far away”, she thought.
So, years went by ... because "What are the chances?" She’d have to be content with simply listening and learning from his beautiful music as she continued to compose her own.
Surprised By Destiny...
However, sometimes, we get a glimpse that life is not entirely up to us...Years later, Raymond Hayden was relaxing, enjoying a good cigar in the company of friends, when one began to talk about a young prodigy in his church band. She was so young, but a savant – a naturally gifted pianist with an innate understanding of music well beyond her years. An exceptional musician, who could instantly play anything he threw at her.
During their regular evenings at the cigar lounge, this young musician kept coming up in conversation. Raymond was intrigued.
And then one evening his friend introduced him to her dad. They talked briefly and the dad gave him a copy of his daughter’s new, solo piano album, Forgotten Road. The face of a young, curly-haired girl filled the cover. Raymond reciprocated, giving the dad a copy of his new album, September Sky. The dad thought, "This looks interesting. Why not?" and carried it home to give to his, now, teenage, curly-haired daughter, Calissa. As he presented this new treasure, he was surprised to see her eyes grow big and her face instantly light up: “Raymond Hayden?!?” she exclaimed. “You actually met him?!!!”
Meanwhile...Raymond loved what he heard on Calissa’s album, so he soon set up a meeting to talk and play a little bit on the piano. They hit things off so well they wrote a song in that meeting, and you can see their collaboration, here: 1stCollaboration. Wanting to encourage the young artist, Raymond invited Calissa and her dad to watch a practice for an exciting new band he was forming, called Grieve The Astronaut.
Calissa was thrilled to watch GTA in action and, of course, she loved the music. After practice, Raymond invited her to try out his keyboard as the band was packing up, and as she began to play, it was like magic filled the room. Heads turned and the heavens stood still. The music was stunning. Drummer, Chris Tussing, was shocked when he returned to the room and realized it was Calissa. “I thought Raymond was playing!” he said. Raymond’s creative wheels began to turn, and he soon asked if Calissa would compose a medley of all the songs on their upcoming album. She agreed, and this became “The Law of Jante”, the first song on their debut album, and the overture for the first GTA concerts (http://bit.ly/LawOfJante2015). Calissa was just 17 at the time.
Since then...
Raymond and Cali continue to create new music together. They challenge and inspire each other daily, and have developed a special GTA “Satellite” show of their own – an exciting, creative mix of piano and synth sure to inspire audiences of all kinds.
Fellow Astronauts ~ Communication is Vital to Your Mission...
Raymond and Calissa want to communicate with you. The purpose of Grieve The Astronaut is to inspire YOU to dream big. They’re convinced we all have a spark of genius, and that shockingly wonderful things can happen if we’re open to the unexpected in our lives. They believe you have a mission...and for such an important mission you could likely use a little life support. They want to provide the soundtracks that inspire you to step out into the unknown of your own unique, one of a kind, Great Adventure.
So, let GTA be your Base Camp for “oxygen” and “vital supplies”. Keep in close “astronaut communication” via email. They won’t spread your address throughout the Universe, but will send inspiration, special offers, and ongoing news to help navigate your special journey with a tune in your helmet!
If you'd like us to let you know when and where we will be performing as either a duo or full band, please go to the CONTACT section on our website and fill out the details.
Live your dreams...
Hope exists...
BEHIND THE SCENES @ VERGE STUDIOS
JULY 26th, 2018....Cali and Raymond went up to Verge Studios in Bothell, WA to record their first promotional video for an off-shoot of GTA.
JULY 26th, 2018....Cali and Raymond went up to Verge Studios in Bothell, WA to record their first promotional video for an off-shoot of GTA.
