Grandkids
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Grandkids

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"Review: The Dodos, The Luyas, Grandkids @ Pygmalion Music Festival, 9/23"

There's a strangely sparse yet full atmosphere in Grandkids' music that sounds partly like a band making conscious efforts to stay reserved and partly finding the right recipe. It's not difficult to hear the influences of current indie-folk, but there are all sorts of random hints bubbling underneath their music from a little garage-rock to some avant-garde stuff that reminded me of Imperial f.f.r.r. to 60s girl-pop and beyond. With a cello as a bass substitute, the foursome has some interesting room to explore by bringing it out from just being a rhythmic device. Even though this college band has a lot of promise in their songs, their greatest asset might be the spirited fans who crowded the chapel at the Channing-Murray Foundation, which actually reminded me of the defunct Epiphany, though without awesome steel supports. (Grandkids will be at the Fireside Bowl next Saturday, the 4th.) - Gapers Block


"Review: The Dodos, The Luyas, Grandkids @ Pygmalion Music Festival, 9/23"

There's a strangely sparse yet full atmosphere in Grandkids' music that sounds partly like a band making conscious efforts to stay reserved and partly finding the right recipe. It's not difficult to hear the influences of current indie-folk, but there are all sorts of random hints bubbling underneath their music from a little garage-rock to some avant-garde stuff that reminded me of Imperial f.f.r.r. to 60s girl-pop and beyond. With a cello as a bass substitute, the foursome has some interesting room to explore by bringing it out from just being a rhythmic device. Even though this college band has a lot of promise in their songs, their greatest asset might be the spirited fans who crowded the chapel at the Channing-Murray Foundation, which actually reminded me of the defunct Epiphany, though without awesome steel supports. (Grandkids will be at the Fireside Bowl next Saturday, the 4th.) - Gapers Block


"Top Ten C-U Albums 2010"

8. Grandkids - Self-titled EP

At times, there's a hint of Beach House's dreaminess in Grandkids' Vivian McConnell's vocals. To paraphrase their non-EP song "Norman Rockwell," it's almost as if she tries to dare you to swoon for her. Opening up for Margot and the Nuclear So and So's early this week probably wasn't such a bad night for a local band to have, so someone is paying attention. And if the songs on this EP are any indication of what to expect next, people will keep paying attention. Check out the EP on their Bandcamp page and don't be surprised if you "sink back in" again and again; you'll be pleasantly lost. Let's hope we get a full-length album to check out in 2011. - Smile Politely


"Top Ten C-U Albums 2010"

8. Grandkids - Self-titled EP

At times, there's a hint of Beach House's dreaminess in Grandkids' Vivian McConnell's vocals. To paraphrase their non-EP song "Norman Rockwell," it's almost as if she tries to dare you to swoon for her. Opening up for Margot and the Nuclear So and So's early this week probably wasn't such a bad night for a local band to have, so someone is paying attention. And if the songs on this EP are any indication of what to expect next, people will keep paying attention. Check out the EP on their Bandcamp page and don't be surprised if you "sink back in" again and again; you'll be pleasantly lost. Let's hope we get a full-length album to check out in 2011. - Smile Politely


"10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now"

Hometown: Champaign-Urbana
Members: Vivian McConnell, Evan Metz, Adam Gorcowski, Phil Sudderberg
Album: Sister Walls EP

You may know Vivian McConnell from Santah (watch them play our CMJ party here). Her smooth vocals take centerstage with her other project, Grandkids. Their full-length debut is in the works, and we’re willing to bet money it’ll be, well, grand. - Paste Magazine


"10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now"

Hometown: Champaign-Urbana
Members: Vivian McConnell, Evan Metz, Adam Gorcowski, Phil Sudderberg
Album: Sister Walls EP

You may know Vivian McConnell from Santah (watch them play our CMJ party here). Her smooth vocals take centerstage with her other project, Grandkids. Their full-length debut is in the works, and we’re willing to bet money it’ll be, well, grand. - Paste Magazine


Discography

Grandkids [EP] - 2010
Sister Walls [EP] - 2011
Timeshare [LP] - 2013

Photos

Bio

Grandkids began in early 2010 as an outlet for the songwriting of Vivian McConnell, but quickly grew to include Adam Gorcowski on cello, Evan Metz on guitar and Phillip Sudderberg on drums. Each member offers their own voice, creating a lush and buoyant base for Vivian’s evocative vocals. The result is subdued, yet thoughtful music that floats somewhere between folk-rock and dream-pop in a place called "humblecore."

After a number of live shows in their adopted home of Champaign-Urbana, IL, Grandkids took their developing sound to Matt DeWine's Pieholden Suite Sound in the Fall of 2010. This encounter birthed their self-titled debut EP. The eclectic three-song release explores all sides of Grandkids' sound. Just six months later the group debuted the Sister Walls EP, presented as a “pay-what-you-want” digital download. Produced and recorded in the basement of their house, this release finds the group showcasing an increasing cohesion and variance, all accomplished while humbly serving the areas between lyrical compliments and musical necessities.

They've played Pygmalion Music Festival multiple times, sharing bills with the likes of Lower Dens, The Dodos, The Luyas, and Candy Claws. After almost two years of playing shows and recording, Grandkids is proud to have released their debut LP, "Timeshare", in March of 2013 followed with a SXSW tour. They've been included on Paste’s list of “10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now" and has received bolstering love and support from their Champaign-Urbana hometown as "Best Artist" and "Best Album" of 2013.