This Sunday Grynch Record Release Party At Chop Suey
- Thread starter MilesAaron
- Start date
A couple of articles about the show and grynch
My Philosophy
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop
by LARRY MIZELL JR.
No excuses, you gotta be at Chop Suey on Sunday, January 27, for the CD-release party for My Second Wind, the sophomore album from my man and yours Grynch. Showgoers in the town know what to expect from dude—an energetic, authoritative showcase of locally grown skills and wit.
"My secret is lots of akvavit and lutefisk before shows," says Grynch. "I get on my Ballard shit. All jokes aside, though, I just like to go out there and have fun. It's as simple as that. If you're not having fun doing it then why do it at all?" Like Lupe says, "Tabernacle!"
"I think there's something for everyone on this record, but at the same time there's definitely a consistent vibe throughout," Grynch continues. "I would just say it's music that you can feel." And my bet is, a lot of y'all will feel it.
My Second Wind is a vibrant, thoughtful, and diverse record from one of our scene's most promising talents—a document that more than does justice to Grynch's now formidable rep as a lyricist and songwriter, flowing easily from determined, triumph-of-will rapper songs ("I Will Not Lose") to hazy, reminiscing rapper songs ("Memory Lane") to you-don't-want-no-parts-of-me rapper songs ("When the Beast Comes Out"). "There's themes on there that people would naturally expect," sayeth he, "but at the same time it's a pretty personal album compared to what people are used to from me."
Grynch's solid debut, This Is What I Do, while not free from the occasional juvenile moment, clearly showed a promising young MC ready to bust a move, and his mixtapes (downloadable for free at www.myspace.com/grynchmusic) displayed a hunger that has only deepened with time. "I think I've grown a lot as an artist since [What I Do]. Not that it was a bad record at all. I just feel like [Wind] has a lot more substance to it. I've opened up a lot more in my music. It's just a more mature album."
A diverse palette of producers keep Grynch sounding fresh from track to track, as relative newcomers like C-Nik and Sound Intellect sit beside 206 favorites like BeanOne and Budo. The propulsive, operatic beat of "Beast Comes Out" (possibly my favorite track, courtesy of Street Level Records impresario D-Sane) brings out Grynch's savved-out edge, as does Apoulo's game-laced G-Funk exercise, "All Night."
A careful selection of guests adds a layer of luster—standouts including Blue Scholar Geologic's turn on the breezy "Summertime," Sonny Bonoho's unexpectedly tender hook on "Memory Lane," and D.Black and Fatal Lucciauno's bruising offensive lines on "Youngest in Charge." Through it all, Grynch's ethic mirrors all the potential and momentum of the bubbling scene around him.
"I've still got a lot of growing to do," says the ever-humble Grynch. "I'm far from reaching my peak artistically. I'm already looking forward to the next project."
[email protected]
When it Comes to His Own Work, Grynch Can’t Get No Satisfaction
But at least we can.
By ERIKA HOBART
January 23, 2008
Grynch has been to the Hurricane Cafe once while sober. It makes sense; the greasy 24-hour diner features a sickening prospect of all-you-can-eat hash browns that is appealing only for soaking up a night of heavy drinking. This afternoon he orders just a glass of O.J. because, although this is the one sober visit, it is at least accompanied by a hangover.
Getting blitzed the prior night was arguably cathartic for Grynch (real name: John Overlie) given that he's spent the past two years heavily scrutinizing his work. While crafting his sophomore LP, My Second Wind, due next week, Grynch obsessed over each verse, hook, and ad-lib.
With influences ranging from Atmosphere to Talib Kweli, the album features 18 tracks meticulously handpicked by Grynch. (He accumulated enough material to release it months ago but scrapped almost the entirety, fearing it wasn't good enough.)
Seattle hip-hop heads recognize Grynch as a legitimate local artist with a savvy self-awareness more typical of veteran rappers. Yet Grynch is highly critical when it comes to his own work. When he tries to listen to his past albums, he ends up skipping tracks more times than not. They don't represent what he's capable of, he laments.
Grynch's fastidiousness developed early on in life (relatively, given that he's still only 21). His initial exposure to hip-hop was in elementary school, when a friend lent him a copy—audio cassette, mind you—of Dr. Dre's masterpiece The Chronic. The impressionable 10-year-old set to work examining instrumental versions of the tracks. He taught himself to count bars, break down structure, and identify beats appropriate for hooks and verses. Then he started writing and recording rhymes on a blank cassette tape using a boom box.
Sounds cute. But Grynch says not really. It just sucked.
"I guess everyone's gotta start somewhere," he says. "But this was some stupid shit. You'd rewind and push play, and hear every background noise. The rhymes were pretty bad, too."
By the time he reached his senior year at Ballard High School in 2004, Grynch released his debut album/senior project, The 7 Deadly Sins. He sold all 100 copies he'd created by the time the school day was out. Of course, the administration was pissed he conducted business on school grounds. Nevertheless, the ease with which he succeeded was an early indicator of his potential appeal as an artist.
The following year Grynch released an LP, This is What I Do. It was a respectably solid album that deserved more attention than it got, but at the very least it introduced him as a local artist to reckon with. The first single off the album, "So Free," made it onto KUBE 93.3's rotation. But Grynch is reluctant to say even that song is up to standard.
"I don't in any shape or form regret the work I've done," Grynch explains cautiously. "But there should be much more to an album than battle-rap material. At some point, you have to delve into more personal issues and develop a broader perspective. There are only so many times you can rap about how tight you are."
My Second Wind does contain some of the bravado work characteristic of battle raps. "When the Beast Comes Out" stands out as a vociferous, boastful gem, fittingly recorded to some grandiose beats and instrumentation. In contrast, radio-friendly "Summertime," featuring Geologic from Blue Scholars, pays homage to the rarity of good weather in Seattle. That, along with a majority of the album, steers clear of the rut of nonstop boastfulness rappers fall so easily into. (Yes, I'm talking about you, MIMS).
Grynch's sophisticated sophomore effort should further cement his reputation as a force in the local hip-hop circuit. Meanwhile, Grynch will likely be back in the recording studio shunning such feedback, determined to create something better the next time around.
[email protected]
My Philosophy
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop
by LARRY MIZELL JR.
No excuses, you gotta be at Chop Suey on Sunday, January 27, for the CD-release party for My Second Wind, the sophomore album from my man and yours Grynch. Showgoers in the town know what to expect from dude—an energetic, authoritative showcase of locally grown skills and wit.
"My secret is lots of akvavit and lutefisk before shows," says Grynch. "I get on my Ballard shit. All jokes aside, though, I just like to go out there and have fun. It's as simple as that. If you're not having fun doing it then why do it at all?" Like Lupe says, "Tabernacle!"
"I think there's something for everyone on this record, but at the same time there's definitely a consistent vibe throughout," Grynch continues. "I would just say it's music that you can feel." And my bet is, a lot of y'all will feel it.
My Second Wind is a vibrant, thoughtful, and diverse record from one of our scene's most promising talents—a document that more than does justice to Grynch's now formidable rep as a lyricist and songwriter, flowing easily from determined, triumph-of-will rapper songs ("I Will Not Lose") to hazy, reminiscing rapper songs ("Memory Lane") to you-don't-want-no-parts-of-me rapper songs ("When the Beast Comes Out"). "There's themes on there that people would naturally expect," sayeth he, "but at the same time it's a pretty personal album compared to what people are used to from me."
Grynch's solid debut, This Is What I Do, while not free from the occasional juvenile moment, clearly showed a promising young MC ready to bust a move, and his mixtapes (downloadable for free at www.myspace.com/grynchmusic) displayed a hunger that has only deepened with time. "I think I've grown a lot as an artist since [What I Do]. Not that it was a bad record at all. I just feel like [Wind] has a lot more substance to it. I've opened up a lot more in my music. It's just a more mature album."
A diverse palette of producers keep Grynch sounding fresh from track to track, as relative newcomers like C-Nik and Sound Intellect sit beside 206 favorites like BeanOne and Budo. The propulsive, operatic beat of "Beast Comes Out" (possibly my favorite track, courtesy of Street Level Records impresario D-Sane) brings out Grynch's savved-out edge, as does Apoulo's game-laced G-Funk exercise, "All Night."
A careful selection of guests adds a layer of luster—standouts including Blue Scholar Geologic's turn on the breezy "Summertime," Sonny Bonoho's unexpectedly tender hook on "Memory Lane," and D.Black and Fatal Lucciauno's bruising offensive lines on "Youngest in Charge." Through it all, Grynch's ethic mirrors all the potential and momentum of the bubbling scene around him.
"I've still got a lot of growing to do," says the ever-humble Grynch. "I'm far from reaching my peak artistically. I'm already looking forward to the next project."
[email protected]
When it Comes to His Own Work, Grynch Can’t Get No Satisfaction
But at least we can.
By ERIKA HOBART
January 23, 2008
Grynch has been to the Hurricane Cafe once while sober. It makes sense; the greasy 24-hour diner features a sickening prospect of all-you-can-eat hash browns that is appealing only for soaking up a night of heavy drinking. This afternoon he orders just a glass of O.J. because, although this is the one sober visit, it is at least accompanied by a hangover.
Getting blitzed the prior night was arguably cathartic for Grynch (real name: John Overlie) given that he's spent the past two years heavily scrutinizing his work. While crafting his sophomore LP, My Second Wind, due next week, Grynch obsessed over each verse, hook, and ad-lib.
With influences ranging from Atmosphere to Talib Kweli, the album features 18 tracks meticulously handpicked by Grynch. (He accumulated enough material to release it months ago but scrapped almost the entirety, fearing it wasn't good enough.)
Seattle hip-hop heads recognize Grynch as a legitimate local artist with a savvy self-awareness more typical of veteran rappers. Yet Grynch is highly critical when it comes to his own work. When he tries to listen to his past albums, he ends up skipping tracks more times than not. They don't represent what he's capable of, he laments.
Grynch's fastidiousness developed early on in life (relatively, given that he's still only 21). His initial exposure to hip-hop was in elementary school, when a friend lent him a copy—audio cassette, mind you—of Dr. Dre's masterpiece The Chronic. The impressionable 10-year-old set to work examining instrumental versions of the tracks. He taught himself to count bars, break down structure, and identify beats appropriate for hooks and verses. Then he started writing and recording rhymes on a blank cassette tape using a boom box.
Sounds cute. But Grynch says not really. It just sucked.
"I guess everyone's gotta start somewhere," he says. "But this was some stupid shit. You'd rewind and push play, and hear every background noise. The rhymes were pretty bad, too."
By the time he reached his senior year at Ballard High School in 2004, Grynch released his debut album/senior project, The 7 Deadly Sins. He sold all 100 copies he'd created by the time the school day was out. Of course, the administration was pissed he conducted business on school grounds. Nevertheless, the ease with which he succeeded was an early indicator of his potential appeal as an artist.
The following year Grynch released an LP, This is What I Do. It was a respectably solid album that deserved more attention than it got, but at the very least it introduced him as a local artist to reckon with. The first single off the album, "So Free," made it onto KUBE 93.3's rotation. But Grynch is reluctant to say even that song is up to standard.
"I don't in any shape or form regret the work I've done," Grynch explains cautiously. "But there should be much more to an album than battle-rap material. At some point, you have to delve into more personal issues and develop a broader perspective. There are only so many times you can rap about how tight you are."
My Second Wind does contain some of the bravado work characteristic of battle raps. "When the Beast Comes Out" stands out as a vociferous, boastful gem, fittingly recorded to some grandiose beats and instrumentation. In contrast, radio-friendly "Summertime," featuring Geologic from Blue Scholars, pays homage to the rarity of good weather in Seattle. That, along with a majority of the album, steers clear of the rut of nonstop boastfulness rappers fall so easily into. (Yes, I'm talking about you, MIMS).
Grynch's sophisticated sophomore effort should further cement his reputation as a force in the local hip-hop circuit. Meanwhile, Grynch will likely be back in the recording studio shunning such feedback, determined to create something better the next time around.
[email protected]
"My secret is lots of akvavit and lutefisk before shows," says Grynch.
That's hilarious.
Anyways, I'm very impressed with the production team. Hearing him on a D-Sane beat should be interesting, I don't know if I can really hear that right now but I can't wait to take a listen.
Question for Miles Aaron, where and when can I pick this album up if I'm not at the show on Sunday night? Will this be in stores around town on Monday???
That's hilarious.
Anyways, I'm very impressed with the production team. Hearing him on a D-Sane beat should be interesting, I don't know if I can really hear that right now but I can't wait to take a listen.
Question for Miles Aaron, where and when can I pick this album up if I'm not at the show on Sunday night? Will this be in stores around town on Monday???
