Grynch

"Bumbershoot: Grynch"

Late pass me, guys: Yesterday was the first time I caught an entire set from Grynch, who impressed the hell out of me with his guest spot with the Physics at this year’s Capitol Hill Block Party. On that big stage, from up in the beer garden on top of Fisher Pavillion, Grynch looked tiny. Tinier than usual. But he and DJ Nphared sounded plenty big. The beats were big and bass-heavy enough to rumble the lawn, and Grynch more than makes up for his slight physical stature with energy, breath, and deftness on the mic. An Eminem comparison is probably lazy and racist, but on at least one song, rapping about how he doesn’t look the part of a rapper and maybe he should try acting, Grynch’s self-aware humor and tongue-twisting punch-lines definitely reminded of that other white meat. Most of the time, though, Grynch had plenty of his own style, especially on the breezy 206 summer ode “Summertime” and the appropriately aggressive “When the Beast Comes Out,” which was like a battle rap only with no takers. Also good was a little a cappella interlude in which Grynch, in a sure-footed cadence, acknowledged his local buzz while examining his less than monumental place in the larger rap scheme of things, concluding that, in that world, he “still ain’t shit.” Has Seattle evolved its own definitive hip hop style yet? If so, that shrewd, comic self-deprecating stance (so “alt”) certainly must be a part of it.

http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/08/grynch - Eric Grandy

"Grynch's Good Chemistry"

The hits just keep on coming. Blogland's favorite 206 MC, the (man who hates being called the) King of Ballard, Grynch, has blessed us all with his latest and greatest, the Chemistry EP. Just like that awesome Physics EP from last week, it's up for free download; hit www.getgrynch.com to get yours. Eight tracks deep, this record finds Young G nailing his formula, as laid out on the title track: "Good beats, good rhymes, good chemistry."

Okay, so it's a little deeper than that. For one, Grynch really put together a great palette of beats in which to find inspiration, with contributions from longtime collaborator Scenik, bicoastal Myx Music artists/producers Keelay & Zaire (cop that Ridin High), Red Bull Big Tune Philly contestant CsD (whose beat on the opener "Right Now" is an attention getter), as well as up-and-coming locals like DJ Nphared and Ill Pill. The biggest smash on here comes courtesy of the biggest name, New Jersey's celebrated slap-champ Illmind; the song in question, "A Dream Undeferred," captures the heart of go-forth perseverance rap, its verses detailing the MC's rise through the ranks. Chemistry also boasts a sweet supporting cast, with RA Scion, Geologic, Inverse's Tunji, and One Be Lo all riding shotgun in the Ballardian's bucket. Which brings us to "My Volvo," the humorous ode to that namesake whip that rings downright endearing to anybody who's ever loved a piece-of-shit car; never shy of making fun of himself, Grynch knows how to clown himself without himself becoming a clown. Which is a testament to his rare self-assurance�flexing a comfortably precise, make-it-sound-easy delivery (that's improving with each release), the ever-humble Grynch is at his most confident on Chemistry, with a few flashes of a cocky new strut to his flow that's more than welcome (and hints at even rawer material yet to come). The Chemistry EP release party goes down at Nectar on July 12, with Sol (as seen at Capitol Hill Block Party on July 25), Tunji, Rockwell Powers, DJ Marc Sense, and Geologic on the host front.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/my-philosophy/Content?oid=1808493 - Larry Mizell Jr.

"Grynch: Too Much Good Stuff"

Along the road to progression, the MC battles bad habits and uncertainty.

Grynch drags ass into Hattie's Hat, located in his native Ballard, and drops into a booth clutching a much-needed glass of pineapple juice. With his rheumy eyes, visible through stylish glasses, and hunched posture, the MC with a strong local following and a tennis-ball hairdo looks like he's one step away from collapsing after an all-night bender. Perhaps he needs to slow down.

That's a struggle Grynch (born John Overlie) raps about in the eminently relatable "Doin' Too Much" from his upcoming EP, Chemistry, out July 12. On the track—produced by underground hitmakers Keelay and Zaire—Grynch confesses in a tonic blast of weariness and glee: "Yeah, homey, I'm on one/I spent all night posted up at the bar, son/My problem's some nights I wind up doing too much."

But today he's not fresh off partying too hard. Rather, he's in the midst of an intense transition whose end result remains unknown. His haggard speech and slow movements at Hattie's belie tons of recent introspection. At 23, the Ballard High School/Pacific Lutheran University alum has reached a kind of midlife crisis. The modest pile of money he's stacked up from shows and odd jobs is fast diminishing. Although Grynch has been in contact with a once-major West Coast rapper turned producer, so far nothing has come of it (which is why Grynch prefers to stay off the record about naming the producer, whom he met via Twitter). And he hasn't been eating properly—which, coupled with an all-night lifestyle fueled by booze, is depleting his energy reserves.

"It's just gotten to a point where I feel like my diet sucks," Grynch says with a throaty harrumph. "And if...you're kicking it at shows or some kind of function every night just drinking, no matter how much you drink, it's gonna eventually give you a little bit of wear and tear. I'm not sitting here like, 'Oh my God, I have a problem.' But...I wanna chill on it."

Since his breakout first full-length album, 2005's This Is What I Do, Grynch has done anything but chill. He regularly appears on other artists' albums, from D. Black's upcoming project to Illmind's Blaps, Rhymes and Life Vol. 2 compilation, and is consistently dropping new material. His sophomore disc, My Second Wind, released in January 2008, earned him even more props in Seattle's hip-hop realm for the remarkable growth he showed. And Grynch's next effort, the EP Something More, offered free on his site, getgrynch.com, in November 2008, was by his own reckoning a "mellow project" that shone with still more progress. But the mellowness that Grynch references may be a subconscious, or inadvertent, critique. Uncharacteristically, he worked with only one production team, Boston's Two Good Men, which helps explains why the disc, while self-assured, feels a bit like an exercise.

With Chemistry, however, Grynch returns to using a number of producers, and in the process is getting even closer to coming into his own. Recorded entirely at North Seattle's D-Sane Asylum in two sessions over a month, the project, Grynch says, cost less than a grand, and he's releasing it free on his site. Besides the drunken debauchery of "Doin' Too Much," Grynch deploys his distinctive, deep-lunged voice to talk about his love affair with music on the DJ Nphared–produced "You Know Me," featuring RA Scion of Common Market, and his love/hate relationship with his crappy car on the hilarious Ill Pill–produced "My Volvo." ("A silver Volvo 240 DL/It make me wanna choke somebody out/Call me Sprewell"). Other highlights include his two collaborations with producer Scenik: the epic-sounding title track, featuring One Be Lo, and the jazzy "Smoke and Mirrors," featuring Tunji and Geologic.

"I'll put it like this," he says. "I could always rap. But I think now I'm just so much more comfortable and confident on the mic. It just sounds more natural than it ever has. And I think it can only get better—hopefully."

Hope. What a funny, fucked-up thing. It gets you up in the morning but tortures you at night, and Grynch knows this all too well. "While I am sitting here, kinda like, 'What the hell's gonna go on?,' the fact that I may potentially be working with who I consider to be a West Coast hip-hop legend, the fact that...something like that might be on the horizon—that's fucking exciting."

With all that said, the staggering reality is that for the first time in a long time, beyond his EP release party this weekend, Grynch doesn't know what's next: "I've got stuff written here and there. I've got dang-near an album's worth of beats. I have ideas and concepts, and I've got half-written songs. But after Chemistry I'm really gonna re-evaluate some things and just see what happens."

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-07-08/music/grynch-too-much-good-stuff/ - Kevin Capp

(April 3, 2009 -Brooklyn, NY) After judging over 50 submissions from over five countries and three continents, Illa J, 2Dopeboyz, Delicious Vinyl, and Audible Treats are proud to announce the winners of the Illa J Remix Contest. The two winners are Seattle-based rapper Grynch, who dropped a crazy lyrical flow over "Showtime" and California-based rapper Illecism, who dropped a winning mad style over "R U Listening."

Four weeks ago, Illa J, 2DopeBoyz.com, Delicious Vinyl, and Audible Treats launched the Illa J Remix Contest to promote the release of the instrumental version of Illa J's highly acclaimed album, Yancey Boys - an album featuring Illa J rapping over beats left behind by his brother, J Dilla. Aspiring rappers were given two weeks to record their best verses around the concept of Illa J's hooks for "R U Listening" and "Showtime," two tracks featured on Yancey Boys. Two winners were to be chosen, one for each song, with the two winning submissions released as digital singles for free download by the legendary Delicious Vinyl record label. Additionally, each winner was to receive one unique 16 bar verse recorded personally by Illa J for inclusion on whichever personal project they choose. Now, after much listening, deliberation, and consideration by Illa J and Delicious Vinyl, the winners have been chosen.

For Illa J, the contest served as more than just a promotional tool, but as a way to give something back to upcoming emcees. Illa says, "I thought it would be a good opportunity for an aspiring MC to get their shine on. I was also interested to hear how another MC would flow to the tracks, and what type of flavor they would bring to it." With over 50 submissions, judging can be a lengthy process. Making things even tougher was the overwhelming quality of many of the submissions. Michael (Mike Floss) Ross, founder of Delicious Vinyl says, "I was very impressed with not only the winners, but with many of the runners-up as well."

Illecism, who submitted the winning remix for "R U Listening" and hails from Natomas, CA, is 20 years old, and is excited to be recognized for his hard work. He also looks forward to the opportunity to work on a song with Illa J, saying, "It's cool to know I can have Illa J hop on a song for me." More information about Illecism can found at his website and MySpace (links found below). Grynch, who submitted the winning remix for "Showtime," and hails from Seattle, WA, is 22 years old and has been rapping seriously for five years, having released two albums and an EP to date. More information about Grynch can be found at his website and MySpace page (links found below).

Illecism feat. Illa J – R U Listening (Remix):http://www.zshare.net/audio/58090077a2d84a62
Grynch feat. Illa J – Showtime (Remix):http://www.zshare.net/audio/58090074c1bb4e94

Find out more about Illecism: http://www.myspace.com/illecism, http://www.weareflyhigh.com
Find out more about Grynch: http://www.myspace.com/grynchmusic, http://www.getgrynch.com

http://www.audibletreats.com/pr/illa_pr13.html - Illa J, 2Dopeboyz, Delicious Vinyl, and Audible Treats Proud To Announce Winners Of Illa J Remix Con

"Matson on Music webisode #1: Rapper Grynch, King of Ballard"

The idea for this video popped into my head the instant I heard "My Volvo" on Grynch's new freely downloadable "Chemistry" EP: "I should get Grynch to drive me around in his car."

Deeper into "Chemistry," I found "Time," a song that opens with a heartfelt verse in which Grynch eulogizes deceased Ballard landmarks, famous and not. Denny's and Sunset Bowl are treated with equal weight as Ken's Corner Market, the place Grynch bought comic books and candy cigarettes when he was a kid. My video idea got better: "During the ride-around, Grynch and I should be in Ballard," I thought, "and he should be holding forth on his Kingdom's ongoing metamorphosis."

What, you didn't know? Grynch is the King of Ballard.

"My Volvo" and "Time" have their technical merits -- good beats, careful rhymes -- but they're deeper than that. They're simultaneously Grynch's stories and Seattle's stories, both super-specific and completely relatable. That's a trick Seattle Times writers try to pull off every day. It's hard.

Plus, I think it's safe to say no one has ever rapped an ode to their '80s DL wagon, or noted on a hiphop track how depressing it is that the Interbay Funplex is now a Staples.

Shout out to Genevieve Alvarez, videographer extraordinaire.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/matsononmusic/2009442440_matson_on_music_video_ep_1_rap.html - Andrew Matson

"Grynch, Chemistry EP Release Party"

To See Rating 8/10
Just Curious Rating 8.5/10

Band Members
Grynch – Emcee
DJ NPhared – DJ

With the recent release of his Chemisty EP, Grynch has been tearing down the city brick by brick. The response has been overly positive and Grynch has literally exploded onto the main stage of Seattle hip-hop. Grynch all by himself is an interesting specimen; while his rhymes are filled with punchlines and quick whit, they cut with precision and boom with authority. Recorded, most expect his stature to match his ferociousness on the mic, but standing at a little over 5'5?, the Caucasian rapping sensation surprises nearly everyone who sees him for the first time. Having grown up in the local scene, Grynch has a down-to-earth approach that contrasts his overall demeanor.

With multiple front page articles at SeattleTimes.com and promotion from local radio stations, the Ballard native had big shoes to fill at his Chemistry EP release party hosted by Geologic at Nectar Lounge on Sunday, July 12th.

Playing to an all-ages crowd, with multiple local music artists in attendance, Grynch was on point the whole set. On stage, Grynch is a little ball of energy; he bounced around and constantly moved to connect with every eye that was fixed on him. He never left the avid show-goers feeling like they missed out on anything, and he always interacted with the crowd who ate up every second of it. The biggest compliment to Grynch is that he sounds the same live as he does recorded. The tone of his deep raspy voice is exactly as you hear on the EP, and he doesn’t get off track by sounding winded. This brought the audience into the music even more and left them with a feeling of familiarity.

Grynch performed every song from the Chemistry EP along with a few select choices from his past releases. It is apparent that Grynch’s loyal fan base is growing. Quite a few times, fans were heard shouting out requests for “I’m a Dreamer”, a song from his November 2008 release Something More EP. Unprepared for such a response, Grynch wasn’t able to fulfill every request but did not disappoint as he rocked “Dear Grynch,” a classic tongue-in-cheek song, from My Second Wind, to which the crowd rapped along to. Grynch displayed his stage experience as Geologic, of Blue Scholars, and Tunji, of Inverse, joined him on stage for “Smoke & Mirrors.” When a minor lapse in lyric memorization occurred during the song, the trio of performing vets continued without any break in the energy; the crowd didn’t miss a beat.

The biggest response of the night came when Grynch performed “My Volvo,” a song about his 1984 Volvo. Joining him on stage were the “Grynchettes” (Tunji, Macklemore & Khingz wearing wigs), who added a bit of comedy relief that had everyone laughing. During the verses, the Grynchettes had a few synchronized steps that rivaled those of The Supremes. However, when the chorus hit, mayhem ensued as the Grynchettes jumped around on stage while making a wheel-turning motion, which the crowd emulated. “My Volvo” was such a success when performed live, that the crowd demanded an encore performance at the end of his set; to which Grynch obliged.

Grynch overall has a lot of tools in his rhyming repertoire. While his lyrics are thoughtful and rhythmically pleasing, he still lacks that irresistible club hit that you can’t stop dancing to. Despite this, Grynch’s performance and energy make it safe to say that not only did he fill the shoes but he outgrew them.

http://www.seattleshowgal.com/getgrynch/ - Ace

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to give my endorsement to one of the best rappers in the Northwest, Seattle's own, Grynch. I first heard of Grynch about 2 years ago, and was thoroughly impressed by his debut album, "This Is What I Do." When he approached me for potential airplay on my show, "Sunday Night Sound Session," on KUBE 93.3 FM, I was happy to give him the exposure he deserved. Not only was his music a breath of fresh air for the Seattle hip-hop scene, but his overall presentation and organization in his business approach was top notch.

After airing multiple tracks off his album in the past year, and receiving positive listener feedback each time, I have also had the privilege to see a few of his live performances. As impressive as Grynch is on record, he is even better on stage. His breath control and stage presence are quite good, two elements that combine with the strength of his music to form a great live show. In a time where so many hip-hop acts fail to deliver in this essential element of the art, it is a treat to watch him captivate an audience. To that end, I wholeheartedly endorse Grynch for any events you might be planning.

If you have any questions or feel the need to contact me, please do so at any time.

Dorian Bunker-Pardo
DJ Hyphen
KUBE 93.3 FM

DJHyphen@gmail.com - Dorian "DJ Hyphen" Bunker-Pardo

"My Philosophy"
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop

No excuses, you gotta be at Chop Suey on Sunday, January 27, for the CD-release party for My Second Wind, the sophomore album from my man and yours Grynch. Showgoers in the town know what to expect from dude—an energetic, authoritative showcase of locally grown skills and wit.

"My secret is lots of akvavit and lutefisk before shows," says Grynch. "I get on my Ballard shit. All jokes aside, though, I just like to go out there and have fun. It's as simple as that. If you're not having fun doing it then why do it at all?" Like Lupe says, "Tabernacle!"

"I think there's something for everyone on this record, but at the same time there's definitely a consistent vibe throughout," Grynch continues. "I would just say it's music that you can feel." And my bet is, a lot of y'all will feel it.

My Second Wind is a vibrant, thoughtful, and diverse record from one of our scene's most promising talents—a document that more than does justice to Grynch's now formidable rep as a lyricist and songwriter, flowing easily from determined, triumph-of-will rapper songs ("I Will Not Lose") to hazy, reminiscing rapper songs ("Memory Lane") to you-don't-want-no-parts-of-me rapper songs ("When the Beast Comes Out"). "There's themes on there that people would naturally expect," sayeth he, "but at the same time it's a pretty personal album compared to what people are used to from me."

Grynch's solid debut, This Is What I Do, while not free from the occasional juvenile moment, clearly showed a promising young MC ready to bust a move, and his mixtapes (downloadable for free at www.myspace.com/grynchmusic) displayed a hunger that has only deepened with time. "I think I've grown a lot as an artist since [What I Do]. Not that it was a bad record at all. I just feel like [Wind] has a lot more substance to it. I've opened up a lot more in my music. It's just a more mature album."

A diverse palette of producers keep Grynch sounding fresh from track to track, as relative newcomers like C-Nik and Sound Intellect sit beside 206 favorites like BeanOne and Budo. The propulsive, operatic beat of "Beast Comes Out" (possibly my favorite track, courtesy of Street Level Records impresario D-Sane) brings out Grynch's savved-out edge, as does Apoulo's game-laced G-Funk exercise, "All Night."

A careful selection of guests adds a layer of luster—standouts including Blue Scholar Geologic's turn on the breezy "Summertime," Sonny Bonoho's unexpectedly tender hook on "Memory Lane," and D.Black and Fatal Lucciauno's bruising offensive lines on "Youngest in Charge." Through it all, Grynch's ethic mirrors all the potential and momentum of the bubbling scene around him.

"I've still got a lot of growing to do," says the ever-humble Grynch. "I'm far from reaching my peak artistically. I'm already looking forward to the next project."

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=490833 - Larry Mizell Jr.

"Grynch rocks Chop"

In all the cities where hip hop thrives, none seem more supportive than Seattle, as shown by the turnout and love shown to local MC Grynch, who threw a CD release party at Chop Suey last night.

D-Black emceed last night's party and also appears on Grynch's new CD. It was obvious he had a great time, joking with the crowd and genuinely praising Grynch's work. Cancer Rising, GMK, Rubio, DJ Swervewon and Sonny Bonoho also helped Grynch celebrate, offering their beats and energy to the evening.

Grynch's new album, "My Second Wind," dropped Jan. 27. Featuring other local MCs on various tracks, Grynch's work sounds polished, strong and bold in comparison to other hip hop albums I've heard lately. He raps a lot about growing up in Seattle, something close and dear to his heart, and does so in a real, open way. Grynch isn't trying to be anyone but himself, which makes him that much more appealing.

One thing that stuck out to me about Grynch was his clarity. It seemed like the words he spoke were for the first time, his beats succinct and words clear. His show was passionate enough to forgive Chop Suey's poor sound quality, as the honesty in the lyrics seemed to push right through it.

Family and friends, it seems, mean a lot more to Grynch than fame or fortune.

Last night was my first time at Chop, and it was cool to watch the featured artists walking off stage and immediately into the crowd, where they caught up with fans and joked around on the floor. A lot of other Northwest hip hop artists were there just to show their support, which I thought was awesome.

I had a great time, even though Chop Suey charges $3 for Pabst. Check out my photos from last night on You've Been Spied, and upload your own while you're at it. I saw a few people taking photos and I'd like to see how they turned out!

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/spi/archives/130479.asp - Lauren Padgett

"6 Questions With Grynch"

A hip-hop track about a 23-year-old Volvo sounds like a joke, but Seattle artist Grynch is totally sincere when he raps, "I've laughed in that car/I've cried in that car/Knock on wood, man, I'll probably die in that car." The emerging rapper, who's been getting heavy airplay on Seattle's tastemaking radio station KEXP, has released an album and an EP, and has been featured on several mixtapes. His next album, "Chemistry 1.5," which includes tracks from his "Chemistry" EP and several new songs, will be released Oct. 6.

1 You grew up in Seattle and went to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.—not exactly a typical hip-hop background. How did you get interested in rap?

I grew up listening to the radio and a lot of West Coast hip-hop—Snoop and Dre and Warren G, all those guys. I was really into gangsta rap, even though I'm the least gangsta person ever. I started writing rhymes as a kid and just kept working at it. Seattle also has a great hip-hop scene, and when I was in college, I spent a lot of time going back and forth between Seattle and Tacoma, which doesn't have such a hot scene [laughs].

2 For a city known mostly for grunge and indie rock, why do you think Seattle has a strong hip-hop scene right now?

The hip-hop scene is Seattle is incredibly diverse—you've got people from all walks of life coming out, and it's really welcoming. Groups like Blue Scholars are blowing up, and they're willing to help others out and pull them up, too. It's happening slowly but surely.

KEXP is also instrumental. The commercial hip-hop station is OK—they have a Sunday-night show for local music, but that's about it. But KEXP has shown huge love to the local alt-rap scene. They take risks with their programming and mix stuff up.

3 Everything you've released so far has been on your own. Are you looking for a label, or do you want to keep doing it yourself?

I'm working on my next album right now, and I'd love to work with the right label. I'm doing lots of research and trying to find a good fit; for example, I love Rhymesayers. I think I've done well on my own so far. I've gotten a lot of great shows and blog love and connected with people through social networks, but I feel like I'm hitting my capacity.

4 You play at clubs normally associated with indie rock, such as Chop Suey and Showbox. Is it hard to convince more rock-centric bookers to put you on bills?

Honestly, people are chill for the most part. More clubs in Seattle are booking hip-hop. For a while it was hard, but now bookers have realized there is an audience they need to get. I've played shows with all types of bands, and I've been fortunate enough to open some great shows. I opened for Nas at Showbox, and I'm opening for the Clipse later this year.

5 Your lyrics are honest and self-deprecating; your best-known track, "My Volvo," is a love letter to your '86 Volvo. Why stay honest and not spin yarns about babes and sports cars?

Man, I'm from [middle-class Seattle neighborhood] Ballard. There is nothing bling or gangsta about someone from Ballard, and I just can't front like that. It doesn't make sense to me to lie about who I am or what I love. I rap about my car and the fact that Ballard is gentrifying and Denny's is now a condo building because that's what I know. Don't get me wrong, I listen to Jay-Z and I love hearing him talk big, but at least he really lives it. A lot of guys, it's all borrowed for the photo shoot.

6 What are your plans for the rest of the year? Will you be touring?

I'm doing a West Coast tour in November and playing some shows in Seattle. I know I need to get out of Seattle more, though—I'm going to be in New York for CMJ, and I need some shows, so if anyone wants to book me, hit me up [laughs]. - Cortney Harding