In Dreams and Other Countries, by Grantura (CD on Ruffa Lane)

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Camberwell has never really been a hot spot on the map for Americana / Country Music. But South London’s Grantura are putting the cartwheels in motion as keenly observed in The Sunday Times Culture Magazine feature and accompanying DVD on UK Americana. Their already critically acclaimed album In Dreams And Other Stories is set against Grantura’s metropolitan backdrop and delicately delivered through pastoral instrumentation and 3 part male harmonies. Mandolins, Violin, Lap Steel, Banjo, Zither and even Sitar back the harmonic vocal chemistry between Lindsay, Simon and Matthew, making a panoramic live show with a stage overflowing with musicians.

In Dreams And Other Stories is as classic and as rural an album as it is contemporary and urbane. Land of The Big Skies compares the emotional dichotomy between a country childhood and adult life in the capital – “I was born in the country now I hide in the city”. The big skies being the expansive horizons of lowland Lincolnshire rather than the wide skies of Nashville Tennessee. Grantura’s 21st Century British identity stands firm as they whisk up a dust bowl storm. They play their folk music with the heart of British socialism; debut single Waves sings of staying true to one's socialist roots – “The writing's up there on the wall / It says that we were bound to fall”- as writer Rick Blackman explains:  “to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, It’s about keeping your head whilst all around you are losing theirs”. The feel good tumult of current single Down From The Mountain is open to interpretation as either a rejoicing love song or a lament with a deeper, more sinister subtext - 'She was born amongst the buttercups and thyme / Then she was gone blown away like dandelions.' Fourth track Lazarus displays the band’s diverse range and tastes. With a band of six members one should expect nothing less than inspirations that cross artistic boundaries ranging from The Zombies to The Stone Roses and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, and to Don Quixote as a political icon.

Grantura were hotly tipped at the beginning of this year by Music Week journalists and The Guardian, who in their preview of the 2008 predicted the band’s success alongside the likes of Crystal Castles and MGMT.
Grantura won the hearts of many and found themselves some very enthusiastic, influential fans straight of the bat. Music broadcasting legend Whispering Bob Harris discovered the band and has since supported them heavily on his Radio Two show inviting them in to record a live session at Maida Vale studios. Both Janice Long and Mark Riley also recorded sessions with Grantura whilst other deejays gave the band high praise and dedicated support including Record Of The Week on 6Music. A playlist feature in Mojo magazine sparked a further wave of interest and sold-out performances. The reactions from press have been those of heartfelt fans, with many journalists traveling across the country to catch their live shows. 

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In Dreams by Grantura (7", £1.99)

Waves by Grantura (7", £2.99)