“Indie-Folk-pop quartet Alexander and the Grapes don’t need schmancy production to get across their honest, straight-up sound and sentiment. In fact, they don’t even want it. The St. Petersburg, Fla. dudes cherish the romance of analog recording, an appreciation evident in their organic, twang-tinged efforts. The group is comprised of ringleader Alexander Charos, his brother Philip on drums, Chase Swan (guitar, steel guitar) and Vaughn O’Loughlin (bass), together creating their lush, hearty tunes. Overwhelming support from fans through Kickstarter allowed AATG to hit Esthudio in Boston and get to work. June 2012 brought the group’s first proper, widespread release. It dropped on Florida label New Granada and via the band’s personal vinyl/cassette imprint, Viva La Records!. The resulting ‘Hemispheres’ captures The Grapes’ creative versatility and stranglehold on emotional honesty”.
You’ll need to dig deep into this meandering and sometimes vulnerable sounding release, Alexander and the Grapes pitch the sound of subliminal heartbreak with a particularly beautiful state of mind. The twelve track debut shows a mild but cheerful disdain for melancholic Alt-Folk, you’d be forgiven for tagging ‘Hemispheres’ with hardwired doom and gloom, their poignant and intelligent use of slightly hushed vocals drenched in sombre minor chords feels almost magical – An eponymous debut that narrowly avoids full blown Americana whilst acknowledging their raw Indie romanticism. I`m addicted !
“The Grapes have shared the stage with Portugal the Man, John Vanderslice, Surfer Blood, David Bazan, Pretty & Nice, Lovedrug, Honorary Title, Matt Hires, Yellow Ostrich, Lost in The Trees, Plants & Animals and many more”.
Courtesy Of New Granada
