Spinner

Jarrod Gorbel Starts Over as Solo Act After the Honorary Title

Jarrod GorbelHere's the trouble with naming your singer-songwriter project after something other than yourself: when you decide it's time to adopt your own moniker, it's like starting your career from scratch.

After disassembling the Honorary Title in late 2009, former frontman Jarrod Gorbel began touring under his name while readying his solo debut, Devil's Made a New Friend, due this fall -- but he's not too worried about regaining momentum.

"This is going back to the beginning," Gorbel tells Spinner. "But this time I know what I want and where I want to go. Of course I'm taking a few steps back, but not to where I was at the beginning of the Honorary Title."

Gorbel's former band, which collected accolades from Rolling Stone and Spin, began as a solo venture, after all. The Honorary Title, which officially became a quartet in 2007, was originally just a vehicle for Gorbel's songs.

So why not truck on alone while maintaining the established name? Freedom, says Gorbel. And a bit of a challenge.

"In a lot of ways, doors have opened now. A lot of people wrote off the band because they thought it was something it wasn't," he says. "A lot of people thought we were a punk band or something."

Gorbel's new, mostly-acoustic offerings won't garner any punk comparisons -- his lush folk tunes are singer-songwriter fare through and through. 'Devil's Made a New Friend' is currently being wrapped up with Rilo Kiley's Blake Sennet in the producer's chair.

"The hardcore fans do know me, but when you play a town with Jarrod Gorbel on the flyer, most people won't know that name. I have to re-establish myself," he says. "That's just a risk I have to take."

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Becks

Ah now, I'm from Denmark for chrissake, and I've followed them for years, and so have many of my friends. They are not all that anonymous, and they were certainly a brilliant singer-songwriter-ensemble.

May 03 2010 at 5:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steel11

Where, really, where does Spinner keep coming up with these bands that no one -- except maybe a faithful cult following back home -- ever heard of? Do these groups win some "battle of the bands" contest to play on the 14th stage at the Warped Tour or something?

April 30 2010 at 8:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to steel11's comment
Eric

Honestly, it all comes down to what type of music your interested in bro. If you like Indie, alternative folkie stuff, you should at least know the name The Honorary Title. Definitely an amazing band though, check out some of his shit.

May 19 2010 at 12:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dana

the honorary title was an amazing band. my favorite band.

im fine with jarrod going solo. he's amazing no matter what he does, and i'll always be a fan :] a hardcore fan hehe

April 30 2010 at 7:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dana's comment
Kelsey Stanton

As long as Jarrod keeps singing and doing shows-- I won't complain. :)

I consider myself hardcore as well.

July 26 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jules Cummings

Did you mention the name of his former band anywhere in the story? I just don't recognize him or his name. Oh well, I guess I won't be missing anything then.

April 30 2010 at 6:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jules Cummings's comment
Ally

The band was The Honorary Title.
His name is Jarrod Gorbel.

No, he's not that big. But he is extremely talented. You should check out his new stuff and the old stuff from when the band was together. :)

myspace.com/thehonorarytitle
myspace.com/jarrodgorbelmusic

April 30 2010 at 7:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply