Music
Press
There's a lot in the cards for SkyGrass for 2013, with their first album set to launch later this year and the music video for their second single, titled Dusty Shoes, set to premiere.
The video was directed by Canadian film director/photographer Danielle DaSilva (who has shot celebrities such as Noreaga, Rich Kidd, Beenie Man and Drake) and produced by host and documentarian Christina Benjamin.
The song, which is a ballad about the journeys people travel through life, inspired the film-making duo of Benjamin and DaSilva to travel across the island to capture "a day in the life" of the Jamaican people.
"It seemed fitting that the video would showcase the lives of real people - the song is something that anyone can relate to - it's real, it's journey music," said Benjamin.
"Filming the video happened very organically; everywhere we travelled with our cameras things just magically happened. There's so much beauty in this island, in the stories of Jamaica's people - the true, beautiful stories we gathered make up this stirring and ruggedly stunning video," said DaSilva.
Video premiere
The video premiered on Thursday, with a behind-the-scenes feature of stories gathered on popular Facebook page and website Jamaicansmusic.com.
The band, more popularly known as Blu Grass in the Sky, recently underwent a name change to SkyGrass.
According to lead singer Simon Samuel, the change was a positive move for the band which is planning the release of its first album in April and is in talks with international booking agents.
"The new name still represents the same ideals. To us, it is a metaphor that speaks to the universal principle of oneness. As it is above, so it is below, the heaven and the earth, the black and the white, the roots reggae and the high-energy rock or dancehall music all exist in one divine symphony," said Simon. - Jamaica gleaner
There's a lot in the cards for SkyGrass for 2013, with their first album set to launch later this year and the music video for their second single, titled Dusty Shoes, set to premiere.
The video was directed by Canadian film director/photographer Danielle DaSilva (who has shot celebrities such as Noreaga, Rich Kidd, Beenie Man and Drake) and produced by host and documentarian Christina Benjamin.
The song, which is a ballad about the journeys people travel through life, inspired the film-making duo of Benjamin and DaSilva to travel across the island to capture "a day in the life" of the Jamaican people.
"It seemed fitting that the video would showcase the lives of real people - the song is something that anyone can relate to - it's real, it's journey music," said Benjamin.
"Filming the video happened very organically; everywhere we travelled with our cameras things just magically happened. There's so much beauty in this island, in the stories of Jamaica's people - the true, beautiful stories we gathered make up this stirring and ruggedly stunning video," said DaSilva.
Video premiere
The video premiered on Thursday, with a behind-the-scenes feature of stories gathered on popular Facebook page and website Jamaicansmusic.com.
The band, more popularly known as Blu Grass in the Sky, recently underwent a name change to SkyGrass.
According to lead singer Simon Samuel, the change was a positive move for the band which is planning the release of its first album in April and is in talks with international booking agents.
"The new name still represents the same ideals. To us, it is a metaphor that speaks to the universal principle of oneness. As it is above, so it is below, the heaven and the earth, the black and the white, the roots reggae and the high-energy rock or dancehall music all exist in one divine symphony," said Simon. - Jamaica gleaner
SkyGrass (formerly known as Blu Grass in the Sky) was formed in 2009 by Simon Samuel, Rasheed McCallum and Suane Brown.
The name SkyGrass represents the member’s perspectives on both their unique fusion of genres, as well as their outlooks on life. Simon, Suane and Rasheed found their distinctive sound to be rooted in the heavily drum and bass influenced rhythms of reggae music, while sky-bound with the high flying energy of rock guitar, punctuated by the street flavoured lyrical delivery of Jamaican dancehall.
Simon, referred to as a “vocally potent lead singer”, by music critic Andre Frater (Jamaica Gleaner), and a “Lyrical genius” by Craig Parks of KeepLeft Records, leads each performance with his passionate delivery on vocals and rhythm guitar. While Rasheed, son of Jamaican master classical guitarist Norman McCallum, energizes each set with his Dub-Rock prowess. Suane, a natural drummer, who has been dubbed “a monster on the drums” by Wayne Armond of the legendary reggae band Chalice, accompanies these two.
Based in Kingston Jamaica, the band plays a key role in the resurgence of live music among Kingston's youth. Giving critically acclaimed performances at various venues, including the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (2010 and 2011) where they opened the main stage for Maroon 5 and at Reggae Month’s JARIA Festival in Emancipation Park.
In a time when the majority of the island’s music has for the most part, conformed to a genre related formula, often tainted by negative messages, SkyGrass dares to be different. With performances that are engaging, entertaining and appeal to a wide audience due to their clever lyrics and high-energy instrumentation, the band delivers a dynamic set of original songs that strike a chord with new audiences as well as loyal fans. - jamaicansmusic.com
SkyGrass (formerly known as Blu Grass in the Sky) was formed in 2009 by Simon Samuel, Rasheed McCallum and Suane Brown.
The name SkyGrass represents the member’s perspectives on both their unique fusion of genres, as well as their outlooks on life. Simon, Suane and Rasheed found their distinctive sound to be rooted in the heavily drum and bass influenced rhythms of reggae music, while sky-bound with the high flying energy of rock guitar, punctuated by the street flavoured lyrical delivery of Jamaican dancehall.
Simon, referred to as a “vocally potent lead singer”, by music critic Andre Frater (Jamaica Gleaner), and a “Lyrical genius” by Craig Parks of KeepLeft Records, leads each performance with his passionate delivery on vocals and rhythm guitar. While Rasheed, son of Jamaican master classical guitarist Norman McCallum, energizes each set with his Dub-Rock prowess. Suane, a natural drummer, who has been dubbed “a monster on the drums” by Wayne Armond of the legendary reggae band Chalice, accompanies these two.
Based in Kingston Jamaica, the band plays a key role in the resurgence of live music among Kingston's youth. Giving critically acclaimed performances at various venues, including the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (2010 and 2011) where they opened the main stage for Maroon 5 and at Reggae Month’s JARIA Festival in Emancipation Park.
In a time when the majority of the island’s music has for the most part, conformed to a genre related formula, often tainted by negative messages, SkyGrass dares to be different. With performances that are engaging, entertaining and appeal to a wide audience due to their clever lyrics and high-energy instrumentation, the band delivers a dynamic set of original songs that strike a chord with new audiences as well as loyal fans. - jamaicansmusic.com
Discography
Originals
1. High Grade Love
2. King of My Destiny
3. Dusty Shoes
4. Stalks and Stems feat. Rootz Underground
5. Pretty NaNa
6.Peppa Sauce Girl
7. Yute
8. Get Closer
9. Fire in My Soul
10. Flying
11. Inna Deh
12. Deadly Road
13. Riding in the Clouds
14. Dont Lose your Love
15. Dance of the Sun
16. Johnny Was
17. Angel Eyes
18. Fire In My Soul
19. Pass De Kush
20. On the Way
Covers
1. Night Nurse-Gregory Isaacs
2. Natty Dread-Bob Marley
3. Reggae Medley-Includes songs by Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Half Pint, Joseph Culture and Tony Rebel
4. Im Yours-Jason Miraz
Photos
Bio
Skygrass
When three young men decided to combine their musical talents, thus formed the core of the greater movement
to be known as Skygrass.
Simon, Suane and Rasheed found their unique sound to be rooted in the heavily drum and bass influenced rhythms
of reggae music, while sky-bound with the high flying energy of rock guitar; punctuated by the street flavoured lyrical
delivery of Jamaican dancehall. Simon---referred to as a “Vocally potent lead singer”, by Andre Frater of the
Jamaica Gleaner, and a “Lyrical genius” by Craig Parks of KeepLeft Records, leads each performance with his
passionate delivery on vocals and rhythm guitar. While Rasheed--son of Jamaican master classical guitarist Norman
McCallum-- energizes each set with with his Dub-Rock Prowess; accompanied by Suane--a natural drummer, dubbed “A monster on the drums”, by Wayne Armond of the legendary reggae band Chalice.
Based in Kingston Jamaica, the band plays a key role in the re-surgence of live music among Kingston's
youth. Giving critically acclaimed performances at various venues, including the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
Talent Stage 2010, which ushered in their return to the festival the following year as they opened the main stage
for Maroon 5.
In a time when the majority of the islands music has for the most part, conformed to a genre related formula,
often tainted by negative messages. Skygrass dares to be different. With performances that are engaging,
entertaining and appeal to a wide audience do to their clever lyrics and high energy instrumentation. The band
delivers a dynamic set of original songs that strike a chord with new audiences as well as loyal fans.
Links
