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Luke Mitchell hit the scene early on Hilton Head as a founding member of The Gnomes, the classic-rock covering teen band who served as a staple of local festivals and bars just a few years ago. Now he’s making a go of an adult music career. Mitchell’s second album, “Row Boat Row,” will be celebrated June 25 at a release party at Remy’s Bar and Grill’s new Arrow Road location. Mitchell has gone from being a garage-recording amateur to working with some of the top producers in the area; here’s how he turned a hobby on Hilton Head into a career:
Photo / Hal Cherry
Q. How did you start playing music?
A. My stepdad gave me my first drum set for Christmas when I was 4. He got me really into music. I started playing seriously in middle school when I started The Gnomes.
Q. Was it hard to get people to book The Gnomes, since you were so young?
A. For me, it was a lot easier than it is now. Back then, it was just kind of this charm; we were young and playing that old music that people liked. I don’t think we had any problems getting gigs. It’s harder now — everybody views you as just another guy.
Q: How did you record your first songs?
A. I used GarageBand, but I had to record everything one track at a time. Record guitar, record drums, record vocals — it took a really long time. And I only had one microphone, which made things really hard.
Q. How did you find the right studio for your first album?
A. I went looking online for people in the area that had clients that I liked. I saw that [Elevated Basement Studios] in Savannah had Gregg Allman as a client, so I called them. I never thought they’d call me back.
Q: What makes the studioexperience better?
A. It’s more of a vibe thing. If you go into a studio, it means you’re doing something right. You can be really focused. You get to meet different people in the industry. You can be creative; you don’t have to think of the technical side of things.
Q: What kinds of shows do you look for?
A. For a long time I played different house shows, venues around [Charleston] that have to do with the college. They’ll let you just play there. A lot of people who are really, really good are playing house shows, parties centered around having music in the living room. Even really well-known writers are doing that now.
Q: How were you able to afford to record?
A. I did tons of gigs with The Gnomes and we got paid really well because we were young and people would tip us. Otherwise, I worked some summer jobs and had parents that were really supportive. I recorded all of (the first songs) myself in my garage with my friends. I figured I could do it by myself and not spend the money.
Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to islanders hoping to follow in your steps?
A. If you love something, you need to go after it. I got really lucky really early on; I found what I wanted to do and went for it. I wasn’t doing drugs or drinking; I was just focusing on what I wanted to do. Otherwise, talk to everyone you can — like any business, it’s all about who you know. And be kind to your fans.
