Grand Rapids-based band Field ready for listeners

Grand Rapids-based band Field has begun its entry into the scene of live music, and they’re eager to dive in. Field’s entrance into playing live has been a long time coming- the band first formed nearly a year ago.

Within the month, Field will have released their first EP. Entitled “Three Songs,” the EP was recorded at Studio 66, and will be available for digital download.

“Our Facebook page only went live this month,” says Field singer/songwriter Jesse Bandfield. “Our ‘image’ and ‘style’ are becoming more set as we play shows, so we’ve been slow to take band pictures. I think it’s because we see our music as an evolving, changing thing, almost like we’re in flux.” He speaks about how the band is constantly searching for ways to enhance or grow their sound.

Bandfield, originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, began writing music throughout his years at Calvin College.

“I only had four acoustic songs I had written in an attempt to investigate the Grand Rapids music scene,” Bandfield says. After graduating from Calvin in May 2012, Bandfield spent the summer preparing his music. He was joined by Grand Rapids native Kate Looman on viola, as well as additional vocals.

“Her harmonies were beautiful, as well as her viola playing. Our sound started to take shape,” says Bandfield. “We decided we wanted more drive to our sound, so I called up my friend Stephen to be our percussionist.”

Stephen Panaggio, who grew up in Peru, joined in the fall of 2012, contributing percussion as well as vocals.

“We played a few open mic nights [after that] and officially adopted the name ‘Field,’” says Bandfield.

Since then, Field has been playing as many open mic nights as their busy schedules will allow. Now, they are looking to establish themselves in the Grand Rapids music scene. Bandfield, who works at Southtown Guitar, is looking to find and meet as many people as he can to help the band find an identity in Grand Rapids. He speaks about how he hopes that, as Grand Rapids learns about Field, the band will also learn about themselves.

“When we play music together I think we're always searching for that identity - the essence of Field,” he says. “I suppose a lot of that comes from our instrumentation and just the way we each play our instruments and how we react to our audience... This group is so focused on learning how to play music together and play for an audience. But, again, our music is very much in flux. We want to start adding in digital elements as well… we want to really see how we can blend all of our influences and ideas into a cohesive sound. Digital folk,” he adds jokingly.

Field will be playing at Hideout Brewery’s open mic night on July 20.

“It should be a nice ‘backyardy' toss beanbags and horseshoes sort of feel,” Bandfield says.

One can’t help but notice the excitement with which Bandfield speaks about Field.

“We’re just really looking to get out there and – again – grow,” he says. “We’re changing, learning, adjusting, melding. We’re excited to get better, and we hope Grand Rapids is up for the ride.”