by Lorie Lewis Ham

There are a lot of local bands in the area for music lovers to enjoy. One of the fresh young faces in the area is Get Up & Go, who is actually local musician Ryan Agustin. We had a chance to chat with Get Up & Go recently.

KRL: What is the name of your band?

GU&G: The name is Get Up & Go. Emphasis on the “&”. Most people type “and” and get lost. I don’t know why I decided to make it so much harder for people to find me but hey, what’s life without a little challenge?

KRL: When did you get started and how?

GU&G: Get Up & Go started in January of 2010 when I first moved out to go to school. Hidden from the world until about 2012, I spent a year teaching myself production and another year after that working on my first big release. To the rest of Fresno/scattered areas of California, Get Up & Go has only existed since Spring 2012.

KRL: What is your position with the band?

GU&G: Everything. I’m kind of an odd guy, so I never grew up knowing musicians who shared the same musical aspirations as I did. So, I embarked on this journey the way I approach any other artistic project, lone wolf style. I’m the sole producer, writer, vocalist and performer of Gu&G.

Get Up & Go

KRL: Names of members and what part they sing, or instrument they play?

GU&G: Me pretending to play drums. And guitar. And shower-singing. Except with more clothes on. I do play guitar though, whenever I do an acoustic set it’s a nice opportunity to show everyone that I possess some musical talent and can manipulate an instrument.

KRL: Why did you decide to start a band?

GU&G: A lot of reasons that ultimately sum up into one big one:
Music saves. It definitely helped me. I know it sounds like a typical cookie-cutter band answer, but I have no other way of expressing it. Music doesn’t judge or bully you or tell you that you aren’t good enough. It was an escape for me, and I’m romantically drawn to the prospect of being able to create a better world for any hurting, someone who desperately needs to know that someone else has been hurt and understands. If you let it, music can be so spiritually mending.

KRL: What style of music do you sing?

GU&G: I love pop; I’ve always loved it, Power Pop, Pop Rock, and Pop Punk. It’s melodic; it’s harmonious and energetic. Nothing I write is too deep, but it’s designed that way intentionally; the name of the game is distraction. Take a break and re-teach yourself how to smile. I would never encourage anyone to run from their problems, but if there was a world all your own you could step into now and again where nothing mattered save for you and the notes surrounding you, wouldn’t you pay a visit as well?

KRL: Is it original or cover songs?

GU&G: Original. I’ve done a few covers, some good and some not so good. I would like to do some more for YouTube. Listeners seem to really like that.

KRL: Do you have any CD’s?

GU&G: I do! Aside from, like, 3 demos that will never see the light of day, I have my debut full length I’m Not Broken, I’ve Just Got Character in the form of physicals and on Bandcamp. I also have a free digital copy of an acoustic EP, The Grass Is Greener On This Side, on the same sight. I’m working on some more material, *wink wink*

KRL: Website, etc?

GU&G: For the time being, just social media. Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, etc. facebook.com/GetUpandGoMusic is where it’s all at. There are links to everything else I’m on there! I’m pretty active (and by that I mean I do a lot of sitting around on the internet scrolling through Tumblr and Twitter).

KRL: Are you from Fresno?

GU&G: Born in raised in a decently sized town called Visalia located in this endearing little valley of ours in California. Lived there until my second semester of college and moved here to be closer to school and work – and to get some recording room.

GU&G -- Sleep When We're Dead Artwork Cover

KRL: Where do you perform?

GU&G: Since I’ve moved here, I’ve taken up “show-residency,” if you will, in two wonderful home venues, Kuppajoe All Ages Night Club and Victory Café at Hardy’s in downtown Fresno. Both have been so receptive of me by their respective staff, bookers and regular show-goers. I played my first show at Kuppajoe in 2012 and my biggest show at Victory this last summer 2013. But whether I’m here or there, I can always count on a loving home crowd whose faces I’ve grown familiar of.

KRL: How often do you perform?

GU&G: I play a show about every other month, if not every month. In an area like Fresno, it’s a bit of a challenge finding me acts for whom to open, especially since this area has such a rich and primarily dominant metal core and indie scene. So, as you can imagine, pop is a bit of an odd fit, but I jump at any opportunity I get to get a crowd jumping!

KRL: Future goals?

GU&G: Biggest one on my list: Warped Tour. I ambitiously like to think that after I release more web content, like a music video, my shows will grow and I can travel. That’s a pretty big dream of mine. And I love doing interviews like this. I’d like to get in front of a camera for one soon too!

KRL: How often do you practice?

GU&G: Every day! Formally, I take the chance whenever it arises to play with a drummer, but aside from that I’m CONSTANTLY singing, critiquing myself, performing to my mirror and mulling over my set. I run through my songs, I run through my speeches. One nice thing about being solo is I can practice anytime I want anywhere I want. The flipside of that, I can’t practice my full without a drummer. But, I never stop striving for improvement.

KRL: Do have a day job?

GU&G: I’ll do you one better, I have two. I’ve been a culinary artist for three years at the prestigious and oh-so-delectable Cold Stone Creamery as well as a sales associate and all-around cool guy at Hot Topic. But I think being a Graphic Design student at Fresno State counts as a third.

KRL: How long have you been in music and in what ways?

GU&G: Since I was in 5th grade. I played Clarinet for the marching bands of my respective schools until my second year of college when I switched to Baritone. Yes, I’m a band geek. But I wear it proudly; if it weren’t for that, I would never have been equipped with the skills to create my own compositions. I’ve also played guitar since my sophomore year of high school.

KRL: What do you like best about being in a band and playing music?

GU&G: Knowing that the silly little things I do with this project make a difference in someone’s life. Whenever I get a message from someone telling me my music offers an escape or it gives them courage to carry on, I feel a kind of fulfillment I could never put into words. The very fact that something that came from my hands and heart could affect someone else so positively gives me drive to continue. The lights, the stage, the creativity I feel in the studio all pales in comparison to bettering a life.

KRL: What is the hardest?

GU&G: Right now, the hardest is getting my name out there. Certain music is popular with people right now. Hard stuff. Warped Tour, Hot Topic and Tumblr is dripping in it and I passionately love it all. But I’m not them. I am and only can be me and my music. The most discouraging thing to hear is when I meet new people is, “Oh, I don’t listen to that kind of music.” But I can’t let it stop me. There are people out there that like pop and electronica. I just haven’t found all of them yet, but I will.

KRL: What makes your band unique-different from the others?

GU&G: The sole fact that I make pop music and can’t scream very well at all makes me different I think. I’d say it’s reminiscent of the days any solo artist could make it on their own with the help of social networking and self production, and that in and of itself is part of the embodiment of Get Up & Go: the ability to make it happen, even if you’re alone. Dance/house music is pretty popular in other scenes but let’s be real, I’m no rave DJ, but I want to bring the energy of dance music to the show scene. I’m not just a person behind a table and a laptop; I’m a kid gripping my hairbrush microphone, reaching out to touch you in the crowd.

KRL: Anything else you would like to add?

GU&G: If you’ve ever cried, keep crying until you’re done, then get up. If you’ve ever hated who you are, know there’s someone who loves you, because that person you see in the mirror that you wish to change so badly was staring right back at me once upon a time. If you’ve ever loved, keep loving. If you’ve ever hated, love instead. If you’ve ever lost hope, pray. If you’ve ever had unanswered prayers, make them happen. You don’t have to wait for happiness to happen to you; take it for yourself.

To check out GU&G’s New Single “Sleep When We’re Dead” head to Soundcloud soundcloud.com/getupandgomusic/sleep-when-were-dead

Check out this video teaser of the same song:

Check out what some fans had to say about Gu&G:

“…it’s really fun and catchy. I love it!”
-Josh Debey

Check out more music reviews, local band profiles, & other local arts and entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.