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London Grammar

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Not to be confused with North London Grammar School.

London Grammar
London Grammar performing at New Holland Island in Saint Petersburg in July 2017
Background information
OriginNottingham, England
Genres
Years active2009–present
Labels
Members
Websitelondongrammar.com

London Grammar are an English indie pop band formed in Nottingham in 2009. The band consists of Hannah Reid, Dan Rothman, and Dominic "Dot" Major.[5][9] Their debut extended play, Metal & Dust, was released in 2013 by Metal & Dust Recordings; [10] their debut album, If You Wait (2013), reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Double Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The band's next two studio albums, Truth Is a Beautiful Thing (2017) and Californian Soil (2021), both reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[6][7][8]

History

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2009–2012: Early career

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Vocalist Hannah Reid and guitarist Dan Rothman are originally from London[11] and met in the Ancaster Hall student residence at the University of Nottingham during their first year in 2009. Rothman saw that Reid played the guitar and contacted her to see if she wanted to collaborate. They were joined by Northampton native Dominic "Dot" Major (keyboard, djembe, drums) a year later, after he began playing music together with Rothman.[citation needed] They chose the name as "not only was it where we're from, but London is also so international and multicultural that it actually felt like quite a universal name in a way."[11]

After completing their studies in 2010, the trio moved to London to pursue a career in music. By the end of the year, they were managed by Conor Wheeler, who began promoting them.[12][13] The band began playing low-key gigs at local bars, honing their material.[5][10] They soon found themselves noticed by a number of A&R people, and they were signed with the Ministry of Sound while Big Life took over the management duties in the second half of 2013.[14] In the same year, the trio did some early recordings with Rollo Armstrong of Faithless and Liam Howe of Sneaker Pimps.[15] Later in the year, the band continued to work with Tim Bran of Dreadzone and Roy Kerr, and by the end of the year, most of the recording had been completed. On 12 November 2012, the trio posted their song "Hey Now" remixed for Sasha by The Cut on YouTube; it immediately received a huge amount of attention.[16]

2013–2016: If You Wait

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Their EP Metal & Dust followed in February 2013, and it made the top five of the iTunes chart in Australia. It created a lot of interest, and the band received significant airplay on national radio.[14] They released their single "Wasting My Young Years" in June 2013, peaking at No. 31 on the UK Singles Chart. The band was also featured on Disclosure's album Settle with the track "Help Me Lose My Mind", released in June 2013.[17] The band has recorded two live sessions for Radio 1, and they played at 10 summer 2013 European music festivals. In September 2013, Reid was the subject of a Radio 1 Breakfast Show Twitter post, which was criticised for being sexist. The backlash forced the corporation to apologise, while the trio "decided to stay out of it".[11]

On 1 September 2013, they released "Strong", which peaked at No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was later used in the 2014 American TV series Reckless for its second episode, "Parting Shots". On 9 September 2013, they released their debut studio album, If You Wait, which peaked at No. 2 on both the UK Albums Chart and Australian Albums Chart,[18] as well as at No. 11 on the French Albums Chart, No. 13 on the Irish Albums Chart and No. 22 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The band is signed to Columbia Records in the United States.[19] On 8 December 2013, a single for the album, "Nightcall" was released. Their cover was used again in Reckless in its last episode, "Civil Wars Part 2".

On 13 January 2014, the band performed "Strong" and "Wasting My Young Years" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,[20] marking their debut performance on American television.[21] On 26 January 2014 the bands rising success in Australia was recognised in Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown for 2013, with "Strong", "Hey Now" and "Wasting My Young Years" placing 10th, 35th and 61st respectively.[22] On 1 April 2014, the Official Charts Company announced that London Grammar's If You Wait was the fifth top-selling album of 2014 so far, with sales of over 138,000 copies (356,000 total).[23] London Grammar won an Ivor Novello Award in the Best Song Musically and Lyrically category for "Strong".[24] And later in 2014, they won two awards – "Independent Breakthrough of the Year" and "PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Act" – at the AIM Independent Music Awards.[25]

On 2 September 2014, French fashion house Dior released an advertisement campaign for J'Adore that featured the song "Hey Now" (The Shoes remix).[26][27]

After the 2016 acquisition of Ministry of Sound Recordings by Sony Music, London Grammar's catalogue remained to be distributed by Universal Music Group in most of the world and Because Music in France.

2017–2019: Truth Is a Beautiful Thing

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On 1 January 2017, London Grammar shared the single "Rooting for You", marking the group's first new music since their debut album in 2013.[28] A month later, on 1 February, they shared the second single, "Big Picture", via their Facebook page, which they also performed on Later with Jools Holland.

Truth Is a Beautiful Thing was released on 9 June 2017.[29] The album was largely recorded with producers Paul Epworth and Greg Kurstin.[30] It charted at No. 1 in the UK.[31]

During the autumn of 2017, the band's cover version of the Chris Isaak song "Wicked Game" was used in the trailer for the BBC series Peaky Blinders.[32]

In March 2018, the band's song "Hell to the Liars" from Truth Is a Beautiful Thing was featured on Season 4 of the E! show The Royals in the second episode, "Confess Yourself to Heaven".

In June 2019, London Grammar was featured on "Let You Know", a song by Australian musician Flume.

2020–2023: Californian Soil

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On 19 August 2020, London Grammar released "Baby It's You", their first single since 2017. This was followed by the premiere of "Californian Soil" on 1 October before the launch of their third album, also titled Californian Soil, which was released on 16 April 2021.[33] "America" was one of the first songs written for the album, and was written about letting go of the past.[34] The launch of "Californian Soil" was accompanied by a full live performance on YouTube.[35] London Grammar were nominated for the "Best Group" at the Brit Awards 2022.[36]

2024–present: The Greatest Love

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On 19 March 2024, London Grammar teased the release of their fourth album on their Instagram page, showing a white background with a blurred image of a bee. This was confirmed as an album tease by Reid on her personal Instagram (@hannahmayreid) on 20 March 2024, when she posted a photo of her new haircut and baby with the comment "Entering my mum era with bangs and brown hair. Oh and album 4 era".

On 5 April, the first track "House" was released, with the news that their fourth album The Greatest Love would follow later in 2024.[37] A second track from the album called "Kind of Man" was released on 17 May. A third track from the album called "Into Gold" was released on 21 June.

Musical style

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London Grammar's music has been described as "a blend of ambient, ethereal and classical sounds"[38] with melancholy guitar, soaring vocals, plaintive lyrics, and often displaying trip-hop and dance influences. Hannah Reid's powerful, haunting vocals – prominent on all of London Grammar's tracks released to date – are often compared to those of Judie Tzuke and Florence Welch.[39] The songs are a collaborative effort, as Reid explains: "I write the lyrics and the top lines. But the songs initiate from all three of us. Dot will write a piano part or a music score. Dan will add some guitars."[14] She describes the songs as "emotionally affected" and said that she "writes about people who come in and out of my life."[40]

Discography

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Main article: London Grammar discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Work Category Result Ref.
2013 UK Music Video Awards "Wasting My Young Years" Best Visual Effects in a Video Nominated [41]
Best Alternative Video – UK Won
2014 "Nightcall" Nominated [42]
Best Cinematography in a Video Nominated
If You Wait Best Music Ad – TV or Online Nominated
Themselves Best Video Artist Nominated
Brit Awards British Breakthrough Act Nominated
Q Awards Best New Act Nominated
Ivor Novello Awards "Strong" Best Song Musically & Lyrically Won [43]
AIM Independent Music Awards Independent Track of the Year Nominated [44]
If You Wait Independent Album of the Year Nominated
Themselves Best Live Act Nominated
Independent Breakthrough of the Year Won [45]
Most Played New Independent Act Won
2015 International Dance Music Awards "Hey Now" (Sasha Remix) Best House/Garage/Deep House Track Nominated [46]
The Music Producers Guild Awards If You Wait UK Album of the Year Nominated [47]
2017 UK Music Video Awards "Rooting for You" Best Live Session Nominated
2018 Brit Awards Themselves Best British Group Nominated
2024 m-v-f- Awards "Higher" (with CamelPhat) Direction in an International Music Video Nominated [48]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Geslani, Michelle (2 June 2017). "London Grammar share two new videos for 'Oh Woman Oh Man' — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. ^ Gebremedhin, Thomas (9 September 2013). "London Grammar's Exclusive Remix of "Strong" from DJ Jonas Rathsman". Vogue. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. ^ Geslani, Michelle (9 June 2017). "London Grammar share new album Truth Is A Beautiful Thing: Stream/download". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  4. ^ Bartleet, Larry (15 January 2016). "London Grammar – 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing' Review". NME. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Lester, Paul (22 April 2013). "New band of the day: London Grammar (No 1,497)". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b "The Georgia Straight presents London Grammar at Fortune Sound Club | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly". The Georgia Straight. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b Calvert, John (15 July 2014). "The House That Disclosure Built". Vice. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "London Grammar: If You Wait". PopMatters. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  9. ^ Knowles, Robin (4 June 2013). "Introducing... London Grammar". BBC. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  10. ^ a b James Lachno (13 June 2013). "London Grammar – New Faces". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  11. ^ a b c David Smyth (22 November 2013). "London Grammar singer Hannah Reid on sexism in the music industry". London Evening Standard. Reid is from the Acton area and Rothman from Hendon
  12. ^ "Dan Rothman Linkedin entry". LinkedIn. Notes that he graduated in 2011 with a BA in Economics and philosophy
  13. ^ "Conor Wheeler Linkedin entry". LinkedIn. Details his period as a manager for the band from December 2011 to June 2012
  14. ^ a b c Dominic Smith (16 May 2013). "The Great Escape: London Grammar". The Argus.
  15. ^ "London Grammar Interview". Bristol Beats Club. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  16. ^ Huw Oliver (4 September 2013). "London Grammar: Space is the answer". DIY.
  17. ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. 15 June 2013.
  18. ^ "ARIA Charts 14 Sept 2013" (PDF). ARIA Charts. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  19. ^ "London Grammar To Release Debut Album If You Wait September 10" (Press release). New York: Columbia Records. PR Newswire. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Watch London Grammar Play Fallon". Stereogum. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  21. ^ "Which Member of London Grammar Cried When She Found Out Elvis Was Dead? - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Hottest 100 - 2013 | triple j". www.abc.net.au. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  23. ^ "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Artist Albums of 2014 so far!". UK Official Charts. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Ivor Novello Awards 2014: Tom Odell, London Grammar and Nick Cave all winners". The Daily Telegraph. 22 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  25. ^ "AIM Independent Music Awards 2014 Winners Announced – The Association of Independent Music". musicindie.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Dior J'adore – "The future is gold" – The new film". YouTube. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  27. ^ "London Grammar – "Hey Now" (J'adore Dior Remix by The Shoes)". YouTube. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  28. ^ "London Grammar share new single 'Rooting For You'". NME. January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  29. ^ "London Grammar announce new album and unveil title track 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing'". NME. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  30. ^ "London Grammar – 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing' Review – NME". NME. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  31. ^ "London Grammar See Off Katy Perry To Land No.1 Album With 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing'". Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  32. ^ Allen, Ben. "Watch the gloomy first trailer for Peaky Blinders series 4". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  33. ^ "LONDON GRAMMAR Release New Single 'How Does It Feel'". Amnplify. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  34. ^ Newton, Felicity (9 April 2021). "London Grammar have shared another new album cut 'America', a song about moving on". Dork. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  35. ^ "[LIVE] London Grammar: Californian Soil – The Live Show". YouTube. 18 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Brit Awards 2022: Full list of nominees". BBC News. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  37. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (5 April 2024). "London Grammar announce new album The Greatest Love with hypnotic lead single 'House'". NME. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  38. ^ "London Grammar: 'We've been given time to develop naturally'". Gigwise.
  39. ^ "London Grammar: 'We've gone as pop as we can'". Digital Spy.
  40. ^ Selby, Jenn (9 September 2013). "If You Wait: London Grammar discuss their striking debut album". Glamour. UK. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  41. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2013, le nomination". Soundsblog.it. 1 October 2013.
  42. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2014: here are the nominations... | News | Promonews". Promonewstv.
  43. ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". The Ivors Academy.
  44. ^ "AIM Independent Music Awards 2015 – Nominations". Clash. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  45. ^ "AND THE AIM AWARDS 2014 WINNERS ARE..." 3 September 2014. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  46. ^ "31st Annual International Dance Music Awards – Winter Music Conference 2017 – WMC 2017". 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  47. ^ "2015 Short Lists". The Music Producers Guild. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  48. ^ "2023". Musicvideofestival.com.br. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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