Biography
Born into a musical family, Grant was weaned on the sounds of the piano, flute, and even the accordion. This diverse musical framework would shape his musical tastes, eventually allowing him to expand beyond the staid setting of the traditional four piece rock act. With a natural bent for music, Grant first tried his hand at arrangement by the time he was five. At this early age, he would create not only a melody, but also accompanying harmony parts. This melodic inclination led him towards the piano and eventually the guitar. In 1996, Grant was a member of a vocal group that toured the east coast. By 1998, he had ventured out on his own, performing his original songs in front of large crowds at college festivals. Since then, Grant has continued to play venues all along the east coast, developing a following of loyal fans. With a catalogue of over 80 original songs, he has created and honed a distinct musical style. WITHINGTON/BASTARDES Grant Withington and Pepe Bastardes first met in the college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At the time, Grant was performing as a solo artist while Pepe taught violin and chamber music at The University of North Carolina. Fascinated by the prospect of merging the traditional formalism and aesthetics of classical music with popular music, it was not long before they realized the potential for their combined musical styles and talents. Once the two began playing together, the chemistry was immediately evident. Grant’s musical intuition and natural gift for songwriting, coupled with Pepe’s formal training and ear for improvisation, lent itself to an altogether original, compelling, and inimitable sound. As a duo, Grant and Pepe quickly broke onto the Chapel Hill music scene, which has been named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “top 10 campus scenes that rock”. Early on, they cut their teeth on the same stages that shot the likes of Superchunk, The Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ben Folds Five to international stardom. Not content with being a one town wonder, Grant and Pepe took their act on the road playing venues up and down the east coast, garnering praise and expanding their ever growing fan base. Once called “a refreshing break from the slipstream of radio monotony”, Grant and Pepe continue to separate themselves from the ordinary. Most recently, their sound materialized into their 2005 self-titled debut album.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.