Meet Genevieve Peek | Lead Singer of The UNSOLVED

We had the good fortune of connecting with Genevieve Peek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Genevieve, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Until fairly recently, I would have considered myself to be risk-averse. I no longer think that’s the case, but I would say that I’m discerning of the risks I choose to take. A series of extremely practical and safe decisions led me to a life I didn’t want, working an unfulfilling job that drained my creativity. Continuing on that path would have cost me parts of myself that I truly treasure- a risk in and of itself. Just a few years ago, I learned what it means to reinvent oneself, which felt dangerous and necessary. I began to take my music seriously, went back to school for a Master’s in Recording, and began to nurture vulnerable and meaningful creative partnerships with other artists. In this particular case, the risk was well worth the reward. I hope that everyone looking to change their life for the better can understand the risk of being static.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At the end of the day, I front a rock band, writing and performing songs with the aim to make people dance and make them feel. I’m inspired by the glam rock genre of the 1970’s, new wave, punk rock, doom metal, the Romantic poets of the 18th century, and by world mythology. I aim to synthesize all of these influences into something new that feels familiar. It can be tempting to take everything a bit too seriously, but I never forget that the goal is just to write a really good song that makes people dance.

There is a very simple truth: music has the distinct ability to reach through a speaker and touch an individual during moments that truly matter, and for that reason, I come from a long line of songwriters inspired by other songwriters. When I’ve felt the most alone, I could turn to Robert Smith, Stevie Nicks, or Shirley Manson to not only lift my spirits, but to remind me that we are all traveling through life together. When I made the choice to pursue my dreams in music, I knew that I had to do it for the right reasons. So I have made it my mission to write songs that bring people together, if only for three-and-a-half minutes. I have seen the unifying effect of music exemplified on a small scale through collaboration with my bandmates, and I see it from the stage when a room full of people moves to the same beat. We all face our own struggles, and music can be such a powerful vehicle for healing through community.

My largest challenge is that there are never enough hours in a day. We’re living through a musical era where musicians aren’t just songwriters and performers, but they’re responsible for music production, creative direction, social media content generation, marketing, merchandise design, and so much more. I am a bit of a renaissance woman, with a thirst for mastery, which is ideal in this landscape, but I’m always racing against time. I’m very lucky to have the bandmates that I do. They are not only creative, but capable and resourceful! We are always learning, and I don’t think that will ever change.

We’re hoping to expand our audience in Denver and surrounding cities so that we can begin touring in the next couple of years!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver has so much to offer, and I think we have one of the most underrated local music scenes in the country. I’d definitely take any out-of-towners to South Broadway to check out HQ, Herman’s Hideaway, and the Hi-dive. No matter what night you visit, one of those venues is going to have something awesome happening. A quick excursion to Angelo’s Music and pick out some records pairs well with grabbing lunch, dinner, or drinks at either the Brutal Poodle or Trve Brewing. RINO area also always has something going on, and during the summer, it’s great to just take a walk and check out the mind-bending street art. The food trucks are great for grabbing a quick bite, and you can always duck into meadowlark for a great vibe and great music. Colfax is also a must for music, with venues like Goosetown Tavern, Lost Lake, and Lion’s Lair and you’d definitely hear something great. Stop by Twist and Shout to check out their music selection and their community boards to find out what’s going on in Denver!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Max Mueller, an incredible partner in every sense of the word. Thank you for creating with me.

Website: theunsolvedband.com

Instagram: instagram.com/the_unsolved_band/

Facebook: facebook.com/TheUnsolvedBand

Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UChrVvgCrd_uVB_wfUEcdJ2Q

Other: You can find The Unsolved’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and anywhere else you stream music!

Image Credits
All photos: Morgan Elizabeth Media @morganelizabethmedia