Name: Grandkids
Members: Vivian McConnell (vocals, guitar), Evan Metz (guitar, vocals), Adam Gorcowski (cello), Phil Sudderberg (drums)
From: Chicago via Champaign-Urbana, IL
Label: Heirship Records, Jurassic Pop
Genre: Indie Folk, Humblecore

MUSIC

PRESS PHOTOS

ALBUM ARTWORK

VIDEO

BIO
Vivian McConnell formed Grandkids with guitarist Evan Metz, whose acquaintance she made during mandatory alcohol awareness class at the University of Illinois; Adam Gorcowski, a classically trained cellist who lived above her dorm room freshman year; and drummer Phillip Sudderberg, a friend of her two older brothers who she convinced to join the project while they were washing dishes together one night. Grandkids took shape quickly, with each member’s particular skills and contributions creating a lush and buoyant base for McConnell’s evocative vocals. Chris Davies of Champaign-Urbana culture outlet Smile Politely noted that McConnell’s “voice has a deep, sultry quality to it, like Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards or Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak. McConnell possesses wider range than either of those two, however, which makes Grandkids’ music a bit gentler and even more pleasing.”

Grandkids produced three EPs of material, honing and focusing their various influences into a unique and gradually maturing sound, and with the recent release of their debut full-length Timeshare, Grandkids have crafted a fully-fleshed-out and complete work, about which Buzz Weekly wrote, “Timeshare [is] less of a culmination of past efforts and more a cohesive coming-of-age mantra.”

The band is hitting the road this September to promote the physical release of Timeshare on vinyl and CD through Heirship Records and Jurassic Pop. CMJ.com praised the debut, saying that “bright imagery combined with a vast, expansive sonic landscape produces a charming confidence without being pretentious.”

Grandkids performed at SXSW this past March, have been interviewed by Paste Magazine for a “Best of What’s Next” feature in the August 2012 Issue, were highlighted as a one of Paste’s “10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen To Now”, and were recognized by Smile Politely in their annual mid-year best-of awards as Best Band of 2013 with their album Timeshare honored with Best Album of 2013.

They’ve recorded a session with SoFar Chicago, a WEFT session, and a Bandwidth Session with WAMU in D.C., and have performed at Dunn Dunn Fest in Chicago last January and at Pygmalion festival multiple times, and will be closing out their fall tour with another Pygmalion appearance. McConnell admits of the festival, “Sometimes I wake up and it’s all I can think about. I’ve even come to associate Pygmalion with the whole season of Autumn — cider and leaves and sweaters and all.”

The band is known for compelling live performances. In this review of Grandkids’ opening set for Murder By Death, Smile Politely observes that “Vivian McConnell sings with her shoulders; Evan Metz’s guitars got that chillwave-meets-Fugazi thing going; Adam Gorcowski’s deft maneuvering between basslines and melodies enthralls; and of course, Phil Sudderberg’s drumming is so steady you don’t much notice him until he really lets loose — then you very much do.”

McConnell is also a member of Chicago band Santah, in which she plays guitar and sings alongside her brother Stan, which comes with its share of scheduling difficulties. In an interview with Bonnie Stiernberg of Paste Magazine, McConnell reveals “It’s been a trip. I mean, I can say there are some times when I do not want to travel and I’d love to stay in the same place for at least two weeks at a time, but this is my lifestyle right now…I’m really happy for it and grateful for it, because I’m always moving, I’m always meeting new people.”

Timeshare, recorded at Pieholden Suite Sound in Chicago and mastered right in their neighborhood by Jonathon Pines of Private Studios and featuring stunning artwork by A.B. Moore, is the tangible result of Grandkids coming into their own and embodying McConnell’s call to courageousness, as she sings in Timeshare’s title track, “and who is afraid of the glow they are made of? It starts in our humble core and shines through our gentle pores.”

Grandkids toured throughout September in support of their debut album Timeshare, available on vinyl, CD, and as a digital download through Heirship Records and Jurassic Pop, and are currently working on their sophomore full length.

2013 FALL TOUR DATES
9/12/13: New York City, NY – The Knitting Factory
9/16/13: Baltimore, MD – Golden West
9/17/13: Washington, D.C. – The Black Squirrel
9/18/13: Philadelphia, PA – TBA
9/19/13: Chapel Hill, NC – The Cave
9/20/13: Raleigh, NC – Slim’s Downtown
9/21/13: Athens, GA – Flicker
9/23/13: Opelika, AL – The Overall Company
9/24/13: Nashville, TN – The Basement
9/26/13: Carbondale, IL – The Swamp
9/28/13: Champaign, IL – Pygmalion Music Festival

CONTACT
Heirship Records
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