Blistering breaks and pedal steel swoons – Little Grandad's debut has been a whirlwind of alt-country goodness that's left the entire music scene abuzz! With only three tracks under their belt, this quartet has somehow managed to scale dizzying heights in just nine months, culminating in a series of electrifying live shows that have earned them an enviable reputation on both sides of the Atlantic.
Playing between 50 and 60 gigs this year alone – with a target of 100 by September – Little Grandad's relentless touring schedule has been fuelled by their unwavering commitment to live performance. And it's clear that their dedication has paid off, as evidenced by their last-minute fly-in to the Open Air St. Gallen Festival in Switzerland after a cancellation slot emerged at short notice.
So, where did this alt-country phenomenon come from? It all started with an unexpected reunion between brothers Harry and Jack Lower at their family home during lockdown. While Harry was scribbling down songs on his guitar, Jack had been itching to get back into music – and the pair soon found themselves bonding over a shared love of Americana and rootsy rock.
Next came the recruitment of drummer James Brennan and guitarist Ned Ashcroft, who brought their own unique energy to the table. Despite Ned's background in orchestral music, he made the bold switch to electric guitar – while Jack even went so far as to learn his bass instrument from scratch via online tutorials (he's still paying off his kit on Klarna!).
Fast-forward a few months and Little Grandad were playing sold-out shows across the UK. But their rapid rise wasn't just down to word-of-mouth; influential tastemakers like BBC Radio 6 DJ Steve Lamacq took notice, arranging an impromptu live session at Maida Vale Studios – a rare honour for a band with no official releases at the time.