JP Jones (vocals) Sam Swallow (keyboards) Ben Lumsden (bass) and Chris Hutchings (drums) formed Grace as music and arts students in (2002), beginning their early musical career playing down tempo acoustic gigs in London's Portobello Road. Initially called Morocco, the band regrouped as Grace with guitarist James Hayto in 2005 and began serious gigging, embracing a much bigger, brighter rock sound spiralling industry buzz around sell out shows in the west end.
The band recorded their forthcoming album 'Detours', due out this
Summer, with Doves / New Order producer Steve Osborne last year. It was mixed in New York by renowned rock master Michael Brauer, whose eclectic credits also include Manic Street Preachers, Athlete and the Kooks. ‘Detours’ displays a comprehensive grasp of classic British rock influences - from Muse, Coldplay and Snow Patrol - but effortlessly manages to filters them together to create a unique, trademark sound.
The record is packed with a diverse mix of elegantly anthemic ballads and gut bursting power epics. Last year's indie buzz single 'Stand Still' (Gracious Records) with it's infectious lyrics and soaring dynamics, brought the band radio support from Jo Whiley and Zane Lowe at Radio 1, Dermot O’Leary at Radio 2, XFM and Virgin Radio Extreme, as well as a prominent placing in The Times Top 40 singles of 2006. Forthcoming single 'Wonderful' is an equally high spirited assault, and with it's irresistible uptempo lead building in to an uplifting chorus at a relentless pace, one listen and you're hooked. Meanwhile, more intense sonics capably display darker elements, perfectly showcased in the album's evocative closing track 'Dark Horse', a song that's bruised lyrics tell candidly of confusion and alienation.
The band have recently stormed the UK live circuit in full battle
mode, and in JP have a frontman who's verve and flamboyancy further distinguishes Grace from so many of their safer contemporaries. Every show erupts with the tirelessly fresh exuberance of a group who know their time is now, and leaves an audience never doubting it.
