Most musicians have been through the same frustration: after a few months or years of playing with a gigging band, it can feel like you’re just going through the motions. Business decisions come ahead of personal preferences. You book gigs because they’re good career moves, not because you like the venues. You play songs because you think the audience wants to hear them, not because you like the songs.

The primary rule in The Grape Ape Trust is that when it stops being fun, we stop. If we don’t want to play “Freebird” anymore, we find a song we like to play instead. If we need a night off from rehearsal, we take it. We take fun gigs even if they don’t pay that well. We have fun with the music, and that energy and lightness of heart comes through in our performance.

Our live shows showcase an especially wide range of styles because we have four singers and songwriters. Our original material, coming as it does from four different perspectives, sounds fresh, varied and innovative. CW’s wide range is balanced by Bryan’s more understated approach, by Doug’s jazz and blues interpretations, and by Justin’s raw rock energy. We split up the vocals to be fair to each other, and because it makes a more interesting experience for the audience.

The Grape Ape Trust has played at the following venues:

1. Vaudeville Mews
   

2. DemiCon 20•21•22•23•24
   

3. Des Moines Social Club
   

4. First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
   

5. Deacon’s Day 5
   

6. Glen Oaks Country Club
   

7. House of Bricks
   

8. Bourbon Street Bar & Grill
   

9. Smouse Opportunity School
   

10. Carlisle Christian Church
    

11. Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market
    

12. Chichaqua Greenbelt Park
    

13. Billy Joe’s Lounge
    

14. People’s on Court
    

CW and Bryan have also appeared on the Geek Speak webcast on webcastonelive.com and online in Second Life.