Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
A mouth like Dylan, lungs like Steve Earle, and a song like Gram Parsons. Whatever Alt. Country is, I have a felling Gripka is doing it, and doing it well. - Music Sense
I became enraptured in the Stones-like Country riffs and the raspy Midwestern voice belting out lyrics as scathing as anything by a young Leonard Cohen or as beautiful as young Roy Harper.”
-Chuck Foster: Under the Volcano
- Under the Volcano
Where to start... Alternative Country has become a genre, well, all too large. Incapsulating everything from Hank the III to Lucinda. But where, oh yes, where, does Mr. Gripka fit? Well, the genre should be minimized, squeezed, reduced, to a small shoebox that fits the songs of a man who 'yells' about love, cigarettes, and booze. A man, who is like an island, or a country, or God's own chosen people, Israel Gripka. There is a lot to come from this jewel in the rough. You should come to salvation and lend this man your ear. - Freight Train Boogey
Discography
Weeping Willow Weep. Israel Gripka and the Martyrs Brigade (2005).
Prelude. Israel Gripka (2006).
Radio Play:
Freight Train Boogie
Americana Association
WXPR Misouri
Venue History: Israel performs regularly at
The Living Room
Sidewalk Cafe
Banjo Jims
Parkside Lounge
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Amongst the sightly and unsightly scenes from the backdrop of the Midwest, a flower was planted with the nomenclature of Israel Nash Gripka. Watered daily with old school country and receiving the nutrient rays of rock 'n' roll, Gripka has developed roots strong enough to not only hold his own as a singer songwriter, but also strong enough to grab your foot and put you on the ground. Beginning with band projects including, the regionally popular Martyrs Brigade, Gripka has now embarked on his solo endeavors and in doing so has relocated to New York City and formed a stellar backing band. His music is rather insurgent or alternative country in style, but is backed up by a blazing harmonica, a guitar that is as melodious as a cracked bell, and a voice that sounds most like a rusted out steam train that is coming to either pick you up or run you over. Now with his debut solo EP, 'Prelude', the first installment of his soon to be released, 20 song, double album 'Songs About Me/Songs About Her,' Israel is sure to make you experience everything that is important to him: love, sorrow, movement, change, and bourbon. So pick up the record and come on out to a show, this flower has blossomed and deserves your undivided attention.
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