Grantura

A little bit about Grantura

Camberwell, in South East London, has never really been a hot spot on the map for Americana / Country Music but Grantura are putting the cartwheels in motion as keenly observed by many of the most respected UK broadsheets, music press and radio stations who are praising Grantura for being able to add a quintessentially British lilt to what was traditionally an West Coast American sound.

Their already critically acclaimed album In Dreams And Other Stories is set against Grantura’s metropolitan backdrop and delicately delivered through pastoral instrumentation and 3 part male harmonies. Mandolins, Violin, Lap Steel, Banjo, Zither and even Sitar back the harmonic vocal chemistry between Lindsay, Simon and Matthew, making a panoramic live show with a stage overflowing with musicians.

In Dreams And Other Stories is as classic and as rural an album as it is contemporary and urbane. Land of The Big Skies compares the emotional dichotomy between a country childhood and adult life in the capital – “I was born in the country now I hide in the city”. The big skies being the expansive horizons of lowland Lincolnshire rather than the wide skies of Nashville Tennessee. Grantura’s 21st Century British identity stands firm as they whisk up a dust bowl storm. They play their folk music with the heart of British socialism; debut single Waves sings of staying true to one's socialist roots – “The writing's up there on the wall / It says that we were bound to fall”- as writer Rick Blackman explains: “to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, It’s about keeping your head whilst all around you are losing theirs”.
The feel-good tumult of the single Down From The Mountain is open to interpretation as either a rejoicing love song or a lament with a deeper, more sinister subtext - 'She was born amongst the buttercups and thyme / Then she was gone blown away like dandelions.'
Fourth track Lazarus displays the band’s diverse range and tastes. With a band of six members one should expect nothing less than inspirations that cross artistic boundaries ranging from The Zombies to The Stone Roses and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and to Don Quixote as a political icon.

Grantura won the hearts of many and found themselves some very enthusiastic, influential fans straight off the bat. Music broadcasting legend Whispering Bob Harris discovered the band and has since supported them heavily on his Radio Two show inviting them in to record a live session at Maida Vale studios. Both Janice Long and Marc Riley also recorded sessions with Grantura whilst other deejays gave the band high praise and dedicated support including Record Of The Week on 6Music. A playlist feature in Mojo magazine sparked a further wave of interest and sold-out performances. The reactions from press have been those of heartfelt fans and now with daytime radio support from Terry Wogan and Chris Evans, their success has becoming less of a dream and more of a story.
Here’s what the press said about Grantura’s debut album ‘In Dreams And Other Stories’

“Great tune -filled pop, driven by country guitars and with harmonies that have you seeking a ball that bounces across the screen so you can join in” Mojo

“A roasty, toasty, quilty pleasure of an album” **** The Times

“West Coast rock has spawned many imitators in recent years, but few as convincing as Grantura… delivered with style, wit and rare warmth" Uncut

"A fine debut album" - Sunday Times Culture

“As well as the airy, sun-dappled vocals, they’ve got strong tunes such as In Dreams and the rippling Waves” Q

Red Hot Hit - Chris Evans’ Show BBC Radio 2

"There are echoes of The Byrds, the Dillards, the Clarks and the Burritos , but the best thing of all is that the whole thing manages to smell as much of real ale and cider as it does of whisky sours”
The Independent On Sunday

"I've got a soft spot for Grantura, a harmony driven, country pop band from London" The Guardian

“They sound like the more rueful musings of Teenage Fanclub. A solid foundation of acoustic guitars, mandolin, monstrous tunes and delirious harmonies." Music Week

Record Of The Week BBC 6Music
www.myspace.com/grantura
Discography

Single 1: Waves / Holly
7” single / unlimited download
Released 29 October 2007 through Ruffa Lane Records.

Single 2: In Dreams / The Long Road
7” single / unlimited download
Released 16 June 2008 through Ruffa Lane Records.

Single 3: Down From The Mountain
Released 8 September 2008 through Ruffa Lane Records.

Album: In Dreams And Other Stories
Released September 29 2008 through Ruffa lane Records.