Out Loud started as a way for a group of coworkers to blow off some steam and play music together. Now, roughly two and a half years later, the band is becoming regulars in the Southeast Kansas music scene.
Fronted by Watco customer service representative (CSR) Joely Gath, Out Loud is preparing for its tenth gig and third at Pittsburg, Kan., venue TJ Leland’s on Friday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. Fellow CSR Matt Schmitt plays bass, while drummer Kyle Simpson and guitarist Matt. M. complete the group. They met while working together at another Pittsburg business, National Pizza Company (NPC).
“Fun fact, I wasn’t invited. They wanted to jam with my boyfriend Kyle and I was sad because I didn’t get to go, so Kyle told me I should come along. Then, they started making me sing,” Gath said.
“Making you sing? You wanted to sing. You asked to sing,” Schmitt replied, laughing.
They started practicing different rock genres and eventually Schmitt suggested they try to book a show. Out Loud has played their mix of classic, alternative, and modern rock at several downtown Pittsburg Art Walks, on Pittsburg State University’s campus, and at several local bars.
“We never planned on doing anything with it. Playing music was just going to be a fun thing to do together. Next thing you know, Matt’s like, ‘Oh, we should be a band,’” Gath said.
Schmitt has been playing bass for over 20 years and played in several bands before. He was ready to get back out there again.
“We didn’t gig for probably six or seven months after we got together, before we felt comfortable with our set,” Schmitt said.
Gath had already left NPC for Watco before Out Loud started playing together, but still stayed active with the band. Schmitt joined her at Watco in mid-2017. Gath works the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift and Matt comes in from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. They only see each other in passing, so there hasn’t been many tangible benefits of being under the same roof again.
They still practice about once a month unless they have a show booked. Then, they’ll practice every weekend in the weeks leading up to the gig. Schmitt says Gath has gone from being the most hesitant to perform to taking to lead in booking shows. She set the Friday’s show up herself.
“I was doing most of the booking before, and I’m grateful that Joely’s taken active role. It’s good for her to understand that part of the process,” Schmitt said.
Out Loud puts Schmitt and Matt in a unique position to pass their experiences on to the others. Schmitt is 38 and Matt is 41. Gath and Simpson are both 21. They’re two different generations that came together to perform the same music.
“We’re older. We’d done this before, and I don’t think Joely or Kyle had ever gigged,” Schmitt said. “This is kind of a way for us to pass the torch.”