Justine Vandergrift
Lacombe, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
“Occasionally a new artist emerges that immediately demands respect and attention. Justine Vandergrift is one such artist. She will make a solid impact on anyone who has the privilege of hearing her songs.”
- Bill Bourne
Justine Vandergrift at TEDxRedDeer, Alberta, Canada, October 20, 2011 Songs by singer-songwriter Justine Vandergrift. Film directed by Nick Saik. In thespirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations) - TedX Red Deer
Emily Cochrane
Globe Staff
Lacombe singer-songwriter Justine Vandergrift, 24, believes in being honest about human emotion in her music and about people being "OK with who we are."
"I like to be real and having my work be relatable and helping people feel connected to something when they hear it," said Vandergrift.
She said creating a place where people can relate and be honest is a "gift songwriters can give."
Vandergrift recorded her first album yes alright ok in a studio in Edmonton last February and is currently writing lyrics and putting songs together for her second album.
"I've got a lot of songs about half-written," said Vandergrift.
"I'm not really sure what direction (it will go)."
She is looking at applying for a grant for the production costs of the album.
Vandergrift said her style is hard to define, but it's a little bit of rock, hip hop, and country, but mostly folk because the genre is "quite all encompassing."
She plays guitar on all the tracks of her first album, but also plays harmonica, and mandolin.
"I play around with a lot of instruments but guitar is my main," she said.
"I'm kind of discovering all of that as I go along."
Artists that have influenced Vandergrift include Patti Griffin and Paul Simon, but she listens to a variety of music, from pop to country.
"I find a lot of exciting things in what I listen to."
A couple of weeks ago Vandergrift started focusing on her music full-time, doing shows and weddings.
She has already performed at eight weddings this summer, getting the gigs mostly through friends of friends.
She previously worked at the Hub on Ross in Red Deer, occasionally performing, but also booking other acts and working the soundboard.
Vandergrift is also a visual artist and a couple of the paintings used in her promotional material are her own pieces.
A friend of hers, Heidi Langridge, also from Lacombe, did the artwork for her first CD and designed Vandergrift's website.
Vandergrift's music is available through her website, www.justinevandergrift.com, and through iTunes.
Eventually Vandergrift hopes to tour formally, but for now she is happy just doing what she loves – playing her music.
"I love to share it and I love the people of Alberta and I want to be able to connect with them and share with them and bring people together through music." - The Lacombe Globe
https://soundcloud.com/cjsrfm/tribute-to-ron-hynes-and-cd-review-of-sailor-with-justine-vandergrift - CJSR
Discography
2011- 'Yes Alright Ok'
In May 2011, Vandergrift released her debut album 'Yes Alright Ok'. Since then she has been enjoying excellent reviews and airtime on CBC Radio, CKUA, and other Canadian stations. Her rare and yet familiar sound continues to generate local and international interest.
This 11-Track full-length album’s genre is impossible to determine. The opening track has an edgy blues/rock flavor followed by a range of folk, pop, country and indie tastes. Justine’s listeners have described the album as a captivating story, full of surprises. Her lyrics have been described as utterly intriguing and poetic. A rare treasure.
Tracks:
1. I Stand in the Way of Wrecking Balls. 4.15
2. Waiting for Nothing (C). 4.12
3. By and Buy and Bye (G). 3.39
4. Nothing Like the Rain (C). 3.57
5. The Ballad of Analytical Lovers (E). 3.20
6. Garden Song (D). 4.08
7. Everyone Walks By (F). 4.59
8. Bring Me Home (D). 4.28
9. Off Beat (C). 3.23
10. Strawberry Patch (C & G). 4.06
11. The Rubble (C). 3.21
2012- So Far...
Released in June 2012, Justine's sophomore album is a reminder of her first but the sound is more mature and perhaps sobering. It's features string sections, horn sections and unique percussion feel as well as a cover of Wild World by Cat Stevens. It was recorded at Sound Extractor Studio in Edmonton with the financial support of Rawlco Radio. This album has received airplay in Holland and CKUA and other college radio stations.
Tracks:
1. Something in the Water 02:36
2. So Far... 03:29
3. Better With You 03:19
4. Originals 03:57
5. The Time Has Come 02:14
6. Juxtaposition 03:34
7. Pixelated 03:02
8. Give Me The World 03:28
9. Talk of the Town 03:33
10. Wild World 03:13
Photos
Bio
Justine Vandergrift is like the old hymns she grew up with – even if you can’t put your finger on what makes them authentic, they are undeniably so. Her two studio releases reveal a clear, rich voice and finely-tuned song-craft, and her new album Sailor (November 2015) represents a deepening of an already impressive artistry.
She is from Lacombe, Alberta and when she's not writing songs at home she's on the road playing house concerts, festivals and venues across Canada http://justinevandergrift.com/shows promoting her new work.
Occasionally a new artist emerges that immediately demands respect and attention. Justine Vandergrift is one such artist. She will make a solid impact on anyone who has the privilege of hearing her songs.
- Bill Bourne (Juno awarding Canadian Folk Artist)
Band Members
Links
