Grand Motel
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
Grand Motel a kind of pure innocence that characterizes their vocal style is generously contrasted with their anxious rock instrumental overdrive. Lyrics are poems are lyrics are poems.
Artistic influences ranging between Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Neil Young and U2 or Jimi Hendrix and Terence Blanchard are crafted into their own unique style. When asked why a jazz icon would listen to country music, the great jazz innovator Charlie Parker once said that he didn't really know what country music was. He only knew that when a song truly came from the soul and the heart, it was worth listening to. Grand Motel are innovators that write and play music from the heart and soul.
In the title track, Documentary, GM make it clear with an unhesitating musical drive and that comforting vocal innocence, that no matter how lonely the road, you need to live life as chronicle of relevance, not a tragedy or a fiction or a journal of events. GM have started making their own documentary and they will continue to make it with lyrics and music neatly fused that reward your determination to get closer to understanding the thoughts, experiences, visions and realizations of a real fellow traveller.
No Wings is simply luscious musical and lyrical matter. The kind of stuff that lifts you into the heavens of the great rock classics. "You're falling off the face of the earth, just to see what it's worth." depicts the clarity of the translation of their artistic vision into song and is remarkable and, yes, so comfortable, full of contrast, and naturally so "Grand".
Chelsea Fields propels you back into the big band, great arrangement and signature lyrics of GM. Jarrett and Justin trade vocal and guitar riffs from a platform of bass and Jamie’s rhythm that combines incomparable musical changes and sheer energy.
Any Other City shares the moments of solitude, restlessness and regret that are the bond of so many travellers with a stoic melancholy that is true GM and in the song May, the classic question is asked - To truly love you, do I need to say I love you? The response given is a celebration - Now he's the better man. What kind of blues is this? Of course, this is the blue room of the "Grand Motel" and like all of their other rooms, it is unique, amazing, strangely comforting, surprisingly affordable and did I mention simply "Grand".
I have become a regular guest at the Grand Motel and I intend to stay in every room. Each time I go back, I find something new and different and return to my journey feeling rested and ready to face the road ahead. I am grateful for their integrity and hope that the number of rooms continues to grow and I wish this new collaboration a Bon Voyage.
- Carter Lee - Port Moody, BC
Discography
The Documentary EP
January 2010
Available for streaming on Myspace.com and for sale on CdBaby.com and itunes.com
Photos
Bio
Grand Motel formed in Ottawa its members originally from Toronto, Ottawa, Cambridge and Sudbury. Each with a wide range of influences and extensive studio and live experience, GM has spent one year polishing their craft to create a sound suitable to a live stage and a radio audience. With a combination of electric sounds to compliment singer/songwriter Jarrett Lee's acoustic style Grand Motel is band that engages a crowd with intimate moments as well as big bursts of energy while layering hooks throughout.
The Summer of 2009 saw members of Grand Motel Jarrett Lee (vocals/guitar), Justin Trudeau (lead guitar) and Jamie Urie (drums) recording their first EP entitled “The Documentary EP” in Montreal at Studio Base Bin with Producer Albert Chambers at the helm.
Since the band has performed locally, extensively promoted their first release on TV and Radio, self produced a music video and recently in the winter of 2010 completed two new recordings at Raven St. Studios in Ottawa to be released in the spring of 2011. In the upcoming months GM will re-enter Studio Basebin to record their follow up EP. Grand Motel is beginning to gig opening for bands such as Rah Rah March 11, 2011 at Cafe Dekcuf.
Just like the name Grand Motel suggests, the music of this group offers unexpected comfort and refuge to those that find themselves journeying on life's spiritual highway and trying to cope with the alienation and misunderstanding that is often a backdrop of that journey. GM are travelers themselves and their music is about being on your own journey and seeking your own destination. Stay for awhile, and share the stories of others that have journeyed on the same road as you. At the Grand Motel, find strength to continue on your journey.
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