Monday, June 27, 2011
So much gratitude
Thank you so much to everyone who came out and helped to make the CD release party such a SMASHING success! It was such an awesome night and I was seriously overwhelmed by the support and love. Extra special thanks to: all my fans who came out, Joy, Andrew Lipke, Lu Ciannavei, Dean Gorfti, Kevin Killen, Ryan Tennis, Matt Helm, Jason Grunwald, Michael McShane, Michael Baker, Barbara Gettes, Andy Keenan, Nate Graham , Johanna Austin, Jaclyn Marie, Nate Gonzalez, Mike Dever, Allison Flick, Jessica Lledo, Mike Grunwald, Carl Grunwald, Jonas Oesterle, Frank Kolbmann, Toni Caroto, Chris Kasper, Phil D'Agostino, Marc Singer and JD McGillicuddy's.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Deli Magazine
June 25, 2011
Griz CD Release Party at J.D. McGillicuddys Pub
by H.M. Kauffman (deli magazine)
Affectionately known as Griz (a.k.a. Chris Grunwald), the gentle bear-like musician has lent his talents to a multitude of songwriters on the local music scene. Well, tonight he steps out into the forefront to lead his full band in celebrating the release of his latest album The Secret in the Garden. His melodic folk-tinged tunes are warm, introspective works of self-discovery that gives a feeling of hope to its listeners. Griz will also be surrounded by plenty of his peers and friends this evening at J.D. McGillicuddys Pub where youll be able to have a special dinner and a meet-and-greet before the entertainment starts. Joining him on the bill will be Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis, and Jaclyn Marie as well as plans for an all-star open jam session to close the night out so expect special guests.
Griz CD Release Party at J.D. McGillicuddys Pub
by H.M. Kauffman (deli magazine)
Affectionately known as Griz (a.k.a. Chris Grunwald), the gentle bear-like musician has lent his talents to a multitude of songwriters on the local music scene. Well, tonight he steps out into the forefront to lead his full band in celebrating the release of his latest album The Secret in the Garden. His melodic folk-tinged tunes are warm, introspective works of self-discovery that gives a feeling of hope to its listeners. Griz will also be surrounded by plenty of his peers and friends this evening at J.D. McGillicuddys Pub where youll be able to have a special dinner and a meet-and-greet before the entertainment starts. Joining him on the bill will be Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis, and Jaclyn Marie as well as plans for an all-star open jam session to close the night out so expect special guests.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Secret is Out (Philadelphia City Paper)
The Secret is Out
Singer-songwriter Griz makes a statement.
by Patrick Rapa
City Paper
[ rock/roots/reggae ]
Griz isn't a nickname you give to the fresh-faced or the clean-cut. It's the kind of thing you call a journeyman, a wily veteran.
It's a good fit for a fuzzy gentle giant like Chris Grunwald (even though the nickname predates the beard and the wild hair). For the past decade, Griz has been the model of blue-collar musicianship: hosting open mics and jam nights in suburban Irish bars, giving lessons (guitar, piano, bass and drums) up and down the Main Line, playing weddings and backing up his friends in Philly's increasingly formidable singer-songwriter scene.
Griz has played with a number of artists who've recently garnered some attention, including The Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah Jones and Andrew Lipke. "For a long time I have been listening to all these incredibly gifted local artists and trying to figure out why they hadn't blown up all over the place," he marvels.
But with his brand-new album, The Secret in the Garden, on the way, Griz's own tender voice and fleet-finger guitar style should turn some heads in his direction. In fact, it already has: His island-tinged mandolin blues song "Already Been Down This Road Before" just won him a top spot in a Philadelphia Songwriters Project contest and $5,000 worth of recording at Turtle Studios.
Unlike his first album, 2001's home-recorded Plant Life, The Secret in the Garden is a full-on studio endeavor produced by Lipke. "Company Man" has a waltzing tempo, a sliding guitar solo and a warm Simon & Garfunkel vibe. Strings swirl behind a catchy, doomy rocker called "Waiting for the End." Whether it's a folk, rock, country or reggae song, the acoustic guitar is prominent throughout.
"As people became more familiar with my songs, lead guitar players started sitting in with me so I never really had the opportunity to rock it out on electric," says Griz. "Lately I have been playing lead myself with Cowmuddy and other bands, and I love it. I used to listen to a lot of punk, and the electric really allows me to tap into that carefree attitude." There's a taste of the harder stuff on "Let's Be Free in America," the album's high-energy, piano-pounding spiritual centerpiece.
Griz's lyrics have a socially conscious streak and a philosophical bent. Down with violence. Up with love. It's a message even more plainly spoken in his occasional side project The Soul Shakedown Party, a Bob Marley tribute band.
"I definitely still believe the idealistic notion that music can bring groups of people together to change the world. Whether that means putting together shows that support or promote good causes or simply helping people see the world in a more loving and connected way, there is something essential and instinctual about music that is often overlooked," he says. "Love is the answer and music is the vehicle that drives it."
So that's the secret to life, but what's the secret in the garden? "If I told you it would no longer be a secret," he jokes. "The logistics involved in reprinting the discs and all that would be too much."
(pat@citypaper.net)
Sat., June 25, 7 p.m., $10 ($15 includes CD) with Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis and Jaclyn Marie, J.D. McGillicuddy's, 473 Leverington Ave., 267-335-2672, jdmcgillicuddys.com.
Singer-songwriter Griz makes a statement.
by Patrick Rapa
City Paper
[ rock/roots/reggae ]
Griz isn't a nickname you give to the fresh-faced or the clean-cut. It's the kind of thing you call a journeyman, a wily veteran.
It's a good fit for a fuzzy gentle giant like Chris Grunwald (even though the nickname predates the beard and the wild hair). For the past decade, Griz has been the model of blue-collar musicianship: hosting open mics and jam nights in suburban Irish bars, giving lessons (guitar, piano, bass and drums) up and down the Main Line, playing weddings and backing up his friends in Philly's increasingly formidable singer-songwriter scene.
Griz has played with a number of artists who've recently garnered some attention, including The Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah Jones and Andrew Lipke. "For a long time I have been listening to all these incredibly gifted local artists and trying to figure out why they hadn't blown up all over the place," he marvels.
But with his brand-new album, The Secret in the Garden, on the way, Griz's own tender voice and fleet-finger guitar style should turn some heads in his direction. In fact, it already has: His island-tinged mandolin blues song "Already Been Down This Road Before" just won him a top spot in a Philadelphia Songwriters Project contest and $5,000 worth of recording at Turtle Studios.
Unlike his first album, 2001's home-recorded Plant Life, The Secret in the Garden is a full-on studio endeavor produced by Lipke. "Company Man" has a waltzing tempo, a sliding guitar solo and a warm Simon & Garfunkel vibe. Strings swirl behind a catchy, doomy rocker called "Waiting for the End." Whether it's a folk, rock, country or reggae song, the acoustic guitar is prominent throughout.
"As people became more familiar with my songs, lead guitar players started sitting in with me so I never really had the opportunity to rock it out on electric," says Griz. "Lately I have been playing lead myself with Cowmuddy and other bands, and I love it. I used to listen to a lot of punk, and the electric really allows me to tap into that carefree attitude." There's a taste of the harder stuff on "Let's Be Free in America," the album's high-energy, piano-pounding spiritual centerpiece.
Griz's lyrics have a socially conscious streak and a philosophical bent. Down with violence. Up with love. It's a message even more plainly spoken in his occasional side project The Soul Shakedown Party, a Bob Marley tribute band.
"I definitely still believe the idealistic notion that music can bring groups of people together to change the world. Whether that means putting together shows that support or promote good causes or simply helping people see the world in a more loving and connected way, there is something essential and instinctual about music that is often overlooked," he says. "Love is the answer and music is the vehicle that drives it."
So that's the secret to life, but what's the secret in the garden? "If I told you it would no longer be a secret," he jokes. "The logistics involved in reprinting the discs and all that would be too much."
(pat@citypaper.net)
Sat., June 25, 7 p.m., $10 ($15 includes CD) with Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis and Jaclyn Marie, J.D. McGillicuddy's, 473 Leverington Ave., 267-335-2672, jdmcgillicuddys.com.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Final Countdown
We are just a few days away from the CD Release show and its been an exciting week indeed! I made the playlist for WSTW Hometown Heroes, last night one of my new songs was played for the first the time on WXPN Local Hour and today I was the XPN Philly Local pick of the day! I have done a few interviews, I have been rehearsing with my band and I've sat in on a few rehearsals for the other performers. I promise you, the party is going to be an amazing night. I've put together an unstoppable band (including Kevin Killen, Andrew Keenan, Nate Graham, Dean Gorfti, Steve Ciannavei, Matt Helm and Jason Grunwald) and I am very blessed to have Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis and Jaclyn Marie playing as well.
I would love to see lots of new and old faces there. I've tried to make it a night that is accessible to everyone, including families with kids. Thank you to everyone who has helped spread the word. I truly appreciate all the support I have received. Hope to see you there!
I would love to see lots of new and old faces there. I've tried to make it a night that is accessible to everyone, including families with kids. Thank you to everyone who has helped spread the word. I truly appreciate all the support I have received. Hope to see you there!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Philadelphia artist spotlight: Chris 'Griz' Grunwald
by John Rinaldo
Philadelphia Rock Music Examiner
For over fifteen years, he has established himself as a familiar face within the Philadelphia folk scene as an accomplished musician and member of bands such as Still Willis, Hezekiah Jones, Cowmuddy and Hunter's Cannon. Yet a few months ago, Chris Grunwald, 35, took a considerable step toward advancing his career as an independent artist. Under the name Griz, which his family and friends commonly refer to him as, he entered himself in the annual songwriting competition hosted by the Philadelphia Songwriters Project.
"I decided if I was going to enter, I was going to try and win," he says leaning back in his chair and setting a glass of iced tea down beside him.
The PSP's competition invites local musicians to submit one song as an audition for the contest. With a grand prize totaling $5,000 in recording time at Turtle Studios in Philadelphia , entrants focus their writing on a predetermined topic. This year's subject matter, revolution, correlated with the turbulent overthrows of political regimes in North Africa and the Middle East.
For the competition, Griz crafted a rustic finger-picking tune entitled "Already Been Down This Road Before." Fleshing out the song with drums, bass and mandolin, he submitted his demo a mere five minutes before the contest closed. Soon after, he was contacted by Dena Marchiony, executive director of the PSP, and informed of his advancement in the competition.
Advertisement
His first year as a participant, Griz says he was "nervous as hell." "I don't usually look at music in terms of competition, so I was a little nervous," he says reflecting back on being chosen for the competition.
On Sunday, May 22, Griz joined 11 other finalists for a judged performance at the Blockley Pourhouse on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. Accompanied by Dean Gorfti on drums and Steve Ciannavei on bass, Griz took the stage with his worn acoustic guitar and performed two songs that would ultimately secure for him the Producer's Choice Award.
Winning the contest has been a major step toward releasing the first studio album under his solo name says Griz. The songs on his debut album, The Secret in the Garden, span the length of his writing career over the past ten years. On June 25, Griz will unveil his album with a CD release party at J.D. Mcgillicuddy's Pub in Roxborough. Joining him will be the Spinning Leaves, Cowmuddy and Ryan Tennis.
Philadelphia Rock Music Examiner
For over fifteen years, he has established himself as a familiar face within the Philadelphia folk scene as an accomplished musician and member of bands such as Still Willis, Hezekiah Jones, Cowmuddy and Hunter's Cannon. Yet a few months ago, Chris Grunwald, 35, took a considerable step toward advancing his career as an independent artist. Under the name Griz, which his family and friends commonly refer to him as, he entered himself in the annual songwriting competition hosted by the Philadelphia Songwriters Project.
"I decided if I was going to enter, I was going to try and win," he says leaning back in his chair and setting a glass of iced tea down beside him.
The PSP's competition invites local musicians to submit one song as an audition for the contest. With a grand prize totaling $5,000 in recording time at Turtle Studios in Philadelphia , entrants focus their writing on a predetermined topic. This year's subject matter, revolution, correlated with the turbulent overthrows of political regimes in North Africa and the Middle East.
For the competition, Griz crafted a rustic finger-picking tune entitled "Already Been Down This Road Before." Fleshing out the song with drums, bass and mandolin, he submitted his demo a mere five minutes before the contest closed. Soon after, he was contacted by Dena Marchiony, executive director of the PSP, and informed of his advancement in the competition.
Advertisement
His first year as a participant, Griz says he was "nervous as hell." "I don't usually look at music in terms of competition, so I was a little nervous," he says reflecting back on being chosen for the competition.
On Sunday, May 22, Griz joined 11 other finalists for a judged performance at the Blockley Pourhouse on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. Accompanied by Dean Gorfti on drums and Steve Ciannavei on bass, Griz took the stage with his worn acoustic guitar and performed two songs that would ultimately secure for him the Producer's Choice Award.
Winning the contest has been a major step toward releasing the first studio album under his solo name says Griz. The songs on his debut album, The Secret in the Garden, span the length of his writing career over the past ten years. On June 25, Griz will unveil his album with a CD release party at J.D. Mcgillicuddy's Pub in Roxborough. Joining him will be the Spinning Leaves, Cowmuddy and Ryan Tennis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)