Mike Grill

With an ear on the past and a focus on the present, Mike Grill and the Downslope create modern roots rock. The 27-year-old Grill writes tight, catchy, and often politically charged songs that meld alt-country, folk, indie rock & blues. There„Cs edge, intimacy, intelligence and soul. Grill's expressive vocals range from raspy whimpers to booming roars - ensuring that each song is felt by the listener as much as it is heard.

A native of Chicago, Grill was playing blues harp with top notch acts like Sugar Blue, J.W. Williams, and Carl Whethersby while still in his teens. At the same time, he developed a reverence for the lyrics and wit of Bob Dylan and for the melodic skill of John Lennon.

After spending a few years with the Chicago-based outfit Rebecca„Cs Statue, Grill stepped away from performing and touring to focus his efforts on serious songwriting. During this time he crafted a style that incorporates the most raw and real elements of roots music while still connecting to a contemporary audience. The resulting songs feature strong hooks and pop sensibility without the slick polish. His engaging and sometimes subversive lyrics force listeners to notice their surroundings and examine their place in the word, while the beats and melodies help them almost forget it all.

An adept solo-acoustic performer, Grill is just as comfortable leading the Downslope through a high-powered electric set. The acoustic/electric dichotomy allows Mike's songs to take on new life. "Just because the song structures are in place, doesn't mean the interpretations can't change," he says. "The songs may lose their intimacy when I play with the band, but each song communicates a new set of emotions when it's channeled through additional musicians."

The musicians comprising the Downslope are all veterans of the Chicago scene. They include former and current members of Rebecca's Statue, Cornmeal, & Majors Junction. The band deftly steers song dynamics from loud & upbeat to intimate & introspective and back again.

After more than ten months of stockpiling songs and handpicking his band, Mike Grill has once again take the stage. Currently, his eight-song demo, entitled One Eyed Jack, is available at www.livinliverecords.com. A full length release is expected on Livin¡¦ Live Records in late 2004.