GRAMN. - Glow Up (Official Video) + 10 Questions
"Glow Up” - the first offering from their forthcoming new EP - marks GRAMN.’s anticipated return to the scene following a slew of critically-acclaimed releases in 2020, with the likes of WONDERLAND, GAL-DEM, THE BLUES PROJECT and GUAP all proclaiming a distinctive and highly talented new voice in the landscape.
Opening with intimate, soulful Spanish-language vocal lines sung by frontwoman Aux, polyrhythms then pop off to a Dancehall pulse as layered vocal hooks fuse with sparse synth lines and sub bass to create a sultry and exotic cut from the London collective.
Described by Aux as “A love song to the black community”, the song is an unflinching celebration of community, an avowal of strength in the face of Black trauma.
With tastemakers already tipping the group as innovative inner-city artists proving difficult to ignore, “Glow Up” looks set to consolidate GRAMN. as one of the freshest and exciting underground talents coming through this year.
Frontwoman, Aux from GRAMN. sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I was actually visiting someone in hospital as a kid and I found a Stevie Wonder CD in the recreational room, I played it and heard the song 'If You Really Love Me'. It took over me in a weird way and I felt like I couldn't stop listening to it. I could hear the beat and all the instruments and I knew that I loved this thing called music more than anything.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Chika. They are a rapper from the US and I just love the music, lyricism and the pocket that they sit in when they rap. I also love Berwyn, just the sickest. I'd love to do a feature with Kano.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?
NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE BOYS IN THE FLESH. You got to remember a lot of what creatives work from is based on feel and energy, and so not being together makes things more difficult. Also I get a lot of inspiration by going out and around and just seeing the environment and I wasn't able to do that.
4. How would you describe your sound?
We exist between genres. So the best is probably 'fluid'.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
There's not one that I could pin. But releasing music is a really proud moment, it's like sending your kids to nursery school for the first time.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Feel the fear and do it anyway, trust your gut and don't start what you can't finish.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
Versailles the Everything, theMIND, Baely, Noyarao. All completely different, all amazing.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Berwyn-Tape2/fomalhaut, Gabriels- Love and Hate in a Different Time, Jerome Thomas- That Secret Sauce, Kanye West- Yeezus.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
EAT.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
James, Johnny and a microphone.