Grandchildren | photo courtesy of the artist
PREMIERE: Grandchildren close the emotional gap and introduce a new voice on “Phantom Pains”
As Philadelphia art rock ensemble Grandchildren puts the finishing touches on their as-yet untitled fourth LP, they’re also introducing a new member to their ranks. Vocalist Shari came on board this year — though she’s been close with the band for six years — and is showcased in Grandchildren’s latest single “Phantom Pains,” which we’re excited to debut for you today.
They met when the band was on tour in 2011 and played a gig in Shari’s hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s stayed in touch with frontman and songwriter Aleks Martray in the time since, developing a friendship over a wide range of musical tastes — classic Motown, modern EDM, Broadway and more. They collaborated in the past on the acoustic project Baby & Shylow, and with Shari’s move to Philadelphia this year, she’s now fully involved in the writing and recording of the band’s next phase.
Over email, Martray tells us that Shari brings a new energy and dynamic to Grandchildren’s process. “She grew up singing in church and harmonizing with family on long drives, so music for her is very intuitive,” he says. “I’ve always been a much more cerebral composer, but collaborating together has brought out a whole new side of us both. It really comes through naturally in the new music, in our harmonies and in our live performances. We’re writing and playing more from the heart, and you can hear it.”
Along with the new song — a dynamic back-and-forth between noisy riffs and delicate harmonies — comes a new music video, shot in film noir style by Michael Candelori and Bettina Escauriza in West Philadelphia, in and around the band’s Danger Danger studio space. The song reflects on distance, both emotional and physical, and the process of closing the gap, using the metaphor of a phantom pain from a lost limb to illustrate the idea of lost love.
Grandchildren is heading out on a spring tour to debut new music from their forthcoming record, returning to Philly on Friday, April 7th at Boot and Saddle where they’ll open for Xiu Xiu. Tickets and more information on the show can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar. Watch the “Phantom Pains” video below.
Tour Dates
3/16 – Baltimore @Metro Gallery
3/17 – Lexington @Al’s Bar
3/18 – Atlanta @Midtown Players Club (Colony Square)
3/20 – Hot Springs @VOV Festival
3/21 – Hot Springs @VOV Festival
3/22 – Nashville @The Cobra
3/23 – Greenville @SpazzFest
3/24 – Greenville @SpazzFest
3/25 – Raleigh @Kings
4/7 – Philadelphia @Boot & Saddle