Grant Farm
Boulder, Colorado, United States | SELF
Music
Press
The self-titled debut album from Grant Farm could come at no better time. With the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, spring overtakes Colorado with warmer days and longer nights. While many younger folks turn towards electronic music and DJ's, Grant Farm reminds us what it is to create music utilizing instrumentation and well-honed skills. "I Come From The Country," seems a perfect fit to open the album, eluding to the roots of Grant Farm. The track features Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident) on bass and Andy Thorn (Emmitt-Nershi Band) on electric banjo. The band's characteristic "Cris-co" (country/disco) sound is enough to move even the novice string music fan. The next track, "The Times Have Changed," eludes to life lessons over a bright composition, before Tyler Grant dismantles the guitar. "Engineer" starts with the tempo and feel of a train song and unfolds with some great fills and vocal harmonies.
"Tell Me, Tell Me" really gives off the country flavor that Grant Farm has built it's sound on. Moseley returns for "Green Thumb," which begins with a more blues-oriented Hendrix riff that opens up to a poppy groove. Tyler's raw vocals fit perfectly with the lyrics, music and vibe of the album, reflecting a wide range of genre-crossing material. "Funky Boulder" prompts a rockabilly structure once again, but with the flowing feel reminiscent of The Allman Brothers lead guitar work. "High Country Ladies" eases in with an airy accordion intro from Sean Foley. Chris Misner comes in on the drums with a reggae groove, once again bending genres on this unique track.
The bluegrass classic, "The Nine Pound Hammer" is morphed into a rock song and features Bill Nershi (String Cheese Incident) on guitar and Andy Thorn on the electric banjo once again. The track takes off and gets really tasty towards the end. "Nothin' Gonna Stop This Train," features solid bass-work from Adrian Engfer and soulful organ work. The album's sound changes yet again with "Headed For The Falls." This somber track seems to vary so much from the rest of the material, that it almost doesn't fit. "The Way It Ought To Be" closes out the album with bold instrumentation and phrasing. Tyler opens up one last time to make sure that the listener is aware of how much of an absolute baddass he is on the guitar.
All in all, Grant Farm is one of the most well-rounded and diverse albums that I have heard come out of the Colorado string scene in some time. It's layered with instrumental goodness and advanced technical work. Grant Farm is not your typical country music album or band. With guests like The String Cheese Incident's Bill Nershi and Keith Moseley, as well as Andy Thorn's improvisational approach, there was no doubt that the album would be interesting. Coupled with the lyrical stylings of both Tyler and Benny Galloway, Grant Farm is a clear home run. - Music Marauders
It’s not shocking that Tyler Grant’s resume includes a stint in the Drew Emmitt Band and The Emmitt-Nershi band. The opening track off Grant Farm’s new eponymous CD, “I?Come From The Country,” sounds a lot like an Emmitt creation and “Engineer” two tracks later has a decidely Emmitt flavor as well. It’s pretty clear why Grant was part of Emmitt’s non-Leftover Salmon projects — the guys play a lot alike. But when Grant lets loose on his Telecaster midway through “Engineer” it’s clear that there are some obvious differences as well.
Grant, who first formed the Farm with fellow ENB alumni Andy Thorn, and the help of String Cheese bassist Keith Moseley, brings a tight honky-tonk feel to the disc — a feeling that the band calls country-disco or “Crisco.” Simply put, it’s country enough for cowboy boots, but still danceable and hippie enough for some patchouli as well, and the track “Funky Boulder” is a perfect example of that. — BFJ - Marquee Magazine
"The band is poised to become the next big country/rock style jam band in the area, so come hear what everybody is talking about..." - Dave McIntire, Bluesologist - Lyons Recorder
"Grant Farm performed their rock/country sounding arrangements with fury and precision. The reason I use the word "arrangements" as opposed to "tunes" or "jams" is out of respect for the technical organization of the music...The hair stood on my arms as as Tyler dug into some mind-blowing guitar work. I was very impressed with Grant Farm's set." - Music Marauders
"(Grant Farm) took the music to the next level...Grant shredded tastefully, moving the crowd. Grant Farm was the surprise of the weekend." - Music Marauders - Music Mauraders
"Tyler Grant is one of the the most motivated, hard working men in the industry. His array of unique guitar styles and "Look Out its Tyler Grant!" confidence is what sets The Grant Farm apart . The originals are fun and The list of covers goes on and on, making for a blazing show." -Tony Whaley / Digital Media Tvision - Digital Media TVision
Discography
GRANT FARM debut CD and single COMING SOON...
Tyler Grant - "In the Light" FGM Records 2006
Tyler Grant - "Up the Neck" Grant Central Records 2010
Tyler Grant - "Desert Songs-Toneful Guitar Music for Relaxation and Massage" Grant Central Records 2011
Photos
Bio
Grant Farm is a refreshing harvest of a band from the fertile Front Range of Colorado. This much-anticipated four-piece represents the fruition of the efforts of National Flatpicking Champion Tyler Grant, one of the hottest and best-known guitar players on the scene today. Tyler was a member of The Drew Emmitt Band and The Emmitt-Nershi Band from 2005 until 2010 when he went on his own to pursue his calling as a bandleader. In Grant Farm he is partnered with dynamic drummer Chris Misner, also of the Drew Emmitt Band and Bill Nershi's Blue Planet. The quartet is completed by funky phenom Adrian "Ace" Engfer on bass and the prodigious Sean Foley on keyboards. Grant Farm has established a movement based on their connection to roots music of all kinds, devotion to their fans and family, and their brilliant performances of Rocky Mountain Rock and Roll.
Grant Farm is a band on a mission. Tyler, Chris, Ace and Sean are experienced players of renown in their own right, but as a unit they form a greater whole, and are working hard to grow into the best band that they can be. Members of Grant Farm have been featured on stage with the likes of Leftover Salmon, The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Motet, Head For The Hills, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Dumpstaphunk, Tony Rice, Larry Keel, Keller Williams, Jon Oates, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Disco Biscuits, Abigail Washburn and Peter Rowan.
The seeds of Grant Farm were planted in 2009 by Tyler Grant and Andy Thorn. Tyler was fresh off the boat from Nashville, TN and Andy from Chapel Hill, NC. The duo found themselves in Boulder, CO as members of The Emmitt-Nershi Band, and were eager to showcase some of their original music. The Grant/Thorn duo quickly grew into a bluegrass/new acoustic quartet and were well-received by the hungry Colorado music fans. When Tyler gave his notice to ENB at the end of 2010 he was driven to make a bigger statement with his music so he dusted off his Telecaster, started a conversation with the experienced and equally driven Misner, plugged in, turned up, and watched the sprouts of the Grant Farm concept grow.
With the help of Thorn and stellar bassist Keith Moseley of The String Cheese Incident, the electric Grant Farm started rehearsing in early 2011. Their concerts in Denver, Boulder and the mountains beyond caused a ripple in the local music scene that led to some fine festival plays the following Summer, including Yarmonygrass, Four Corners Folk Festival, Fort Collins Bark n' Bluegrass, Riverfront, and Harvestival. With a country-disco (Cris-Co), roots-rock, booty-shakin' jam-tastic concept fully formed, Ace and Sean were brought on board to bring the band into 2012, road-ready and fully capable of annihilating crowds across the country. An eponymous debut CD will be released on Grant Central Records in January 2012; a Winter harvest of fine original music planted and nurtured by the industrious Grant Farm.
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