Celtic Connections: David Grubb
David Grubb + Broken Forest
Artist, Composer, String Arranger, Performer. David Grubb has become a sought-after musician, renowned for his ability to seamlessly blend musical styles. Primarily a violinist, he has shared the stage and studio with notable acts including Novo Amor, Jim Ghedi, Hailaker, Toby Hay, and collaborated with producers Ali Chant, Neil Davidge, and Ed Tullett. His work has taken him to North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, performing in iconic venues such as The Barbican Centre (London) and Bowery Ballroom (NYC).
An instrumental story teller, David’s musical prowess goes beyond traditional boundaries, crafting compositions that weave together seemingly disparate musical elements into conceptual journeys. His original offerings challenge the conventional perceptions of genre, inviting audiences into immersive sonic landscapes where each note tells a story. David’s upcoming release Circadia explores the human subconscious, leading listeners through a typical sleep cycle and encountering weird and wonderful phenomena along the way.
True to his genre hopping credentials, David's musical endeavours extend to diverse projects, including his membership in the Welsh trash-trad ensemble, NoGood Boyo, and his role as a founding member of the burgeoning bluegrass sensation, Taff Rapids Stringband.
Line Up
“Emotionally charged and touching… Highly melodious, appealingly catchy, even hypnotic at times” (The Living Tradition). # David Grubb’s unique brand of composition amalgamates folk, jazz, blues and classical, all underpinned by his Scottish traditional roots. Making appearances at Celtic Connections, Bath Folk Festival (New Shoots), and the WMC (amongst others), David along with his High Rise Band bring together an array of seemingly disparate musical elements. From a riot of galloping beats and strings, to melancholic, reflective and haunting melodies the next, the music weaves and wanders a remarkable journey through imagined soundscapes. David’s critically acclaimed debut title ‘High Rise’ - released in 2014 - was described as “an album of wondrous beauty” (Folk Radio UK). Always pushing musical boundaries, he is currently working on new material for a follow up album.
‘Leftfield and Underground, delicate songs are juxtaposed with dark beats’ Peter Cunnah
A truly organic breath of fresh air - Broken Forest is the inventive work of writer, singer and producer Luise London. Since she was a young child, Luise has had a great passion for nature and the animals within. After becoming a vegan she started joining more and more animal and environmental rights movements, and Broken Forest is an extension of this fight.
These and other heartfelt messages are delicately translated into Broken Forest’s music, with sweet vocals hanging over a mesmerising blend of Atmospheric Pop and organic Electronica.
Nature sounds are purposefully embedded into ambient synths and guitar effects. The sometimes harsh and coldness of modern urban life meets the sensibility and beauty of nature. The music is inspired by a variety of different genres from Trip- Hop, to Pop and Folk, and artists such as Grimes, SOHN, Daughter or Bon Iver. The lyrics are filled with strong images representing the story, often generated through traditional tales Luise used to read as a child, combined with the struggles of today’s society through her sometimes dark, but romantic view on life.
Broken Forest’s debut ep ‘Lost in Fairytales’, sees each of the record’s songs inspired by a different traditional Fairy Tale, and then related back to the struggles of modern life. The first single is ‘Winter’. A classic break up and moving on song, which draws its imagery from Anderson’s fairy tale The little Match Girl, who rather stayed out on the street in winter time than going home with nothing. Proceeds from the ep will be donated to The Fox Project.
Nature’s inspiration for Luise’s work continues into the live shows. Through projections accompanying the music, Broken Forest invite you into their world. Modern technology combined with guitar and haunting vocal harmony layers by Ben Cook and Chris Anderson, who joined Luise on stage in 2016, recreate the music live on stage.
On 25 November Broken Forest are to release their debut single. Titled ‘Winter’ the single will precede Broken Forest’s debut ep, ‘Lost In Fairytales’, which is set for release on 20 January next year.In the past Luise has performed with artist such as Daughter, and ‘Winter’ will be launched with a special London show on 23 November at Ryan’s Bar, N16.