Grandchildren emerged in 2008 as pioneers of Philadelphia’s underground music scene known for their unique cinematic blend of pop, folk, and electronica. Their first three releases chart a sonic evolution from the lo-fi Everlasting (2010), to the symphonic Golden Age (2013) to the pop-driven ZUNI (2015). Songwriter Aleks Martray attributes his eclectic sound to a nomadic coming of age across three continents and a decade of touring, during which he met frontwoman Shari Bolar. The couple’s soulful harmonies and on-stage chemistry came to define the band’s new sound, featured on the self-titled release Grandchildren (2019).
Grandchildren’s new self-titled release is a diary of songs that span the nine years of the band’s existence, from when songwriter Aleks Martray met frontwoman Shari Bolar on their first US tour to the present day. These seven songs chart the course of their relationship from a chance encounter, to long-distance romance, to estrangement, and reunion. Over the years Martray shared sketches of these songs with Bolar as musical love letters, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the couple would record them together at their home in West Philadelphia. Through this collaboration, the songs evolved from simple sketches to harmonic conversations about their past, present and future. Together these tracks weave together a narrative of love, longing, and the sliding door musings of what could’ve been and what might become – from the carpe diem optimism of Ok I’m Waiting, to the dark despair of Phantom Pains, and the redemption-themed Zuni. The album represents a departure from the band’s dense orchestrations to a more intimate & acoustic sensibility that forefronts the couples vocal harmonies in their ability to express the story behind the songs.
Glide is proud to premiere the official video for Grandchildren’s “Gravity,” (below) a riveting scope of melodic precision that blurs the line between English melodic post-punk stalwarts Doves and Elbow.
Gravity is the third and final single from Grandchildren’s new self-titled release, and is emblematic of the record’s sonic breadth, from the intimate to the epic. The accompanying music video is the 3rd installment of a trilogy directed & produced by frontman Aleks Martray inspired by reoccurring childhood dreams. It features child actor Oakley Ciccarielo-Maher as a fallen cosmonaut exploring post-apocalyptic terrain, with a surreal yet playful aesthetic, also reflected in the art design for the new album. The video unfolds like a sci-fi musical, featuring choreography from rising star Kingsley Ibeneche (recent appearances on SNL and the VMA’s) and his Philadelphia-based dance ensemble.
Tour Dates
03/06/19 – Norfolk, VA – Taphouse
03/07/19 – Charleston, SC – Tin Roof
03/08/19 – Atlanta, GA – Union Eav
03/09/19 – Birmingham, AL – Trim Tab Brewery
03/10/19 – New Orleans, LA – Santos
03/13/19 – Austin, TX – The Jackalope (Balanced Breakfast Showcase) 4pm
03/14/19 – Austin, TX – Mohawk Inside (Ernest Jenning SXSW Showcase) 10pm
03/16/19 – San Antonio, TX – Imagine Fest
03/18/19 – Hot Springs, AR – VOV Music Festival
03/19/19 – Nashville, TN – The Cobra
03/20/19 – Asheville, NC – One World Brewing
03/21/19 – Raleigh, NC – Pour House
03/22/19 – Greenville, NC – SpazzFest
04/03/19 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge
