The Grogans are an Australian garage rock band from Melbourne. The trio consists of Quin Grunden (lead vocals, guitar), Angus Vasic (guitar) and Jordan Lewis (drums). Since forming in 2016, they have released four studio albums– most recently, Find Me A Cloud in 2023, and three extended plays. The trio cites surf rock from the 1960s as a major influence for their sound.
The Grogans | |
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Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Genres | |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels | Cousin Will |
Members |
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History
editMelbourne students Quin Grunden and Angus Vasic had been friends for years in high school.[2] In 2016, Grunden met Jordan Lewis, who had recently moved to the area. The trio began jamming together and formed the Grogans.[1] They independently released their debut extended play (EP), Catceyed, in December 2016,[3] and its follow-up, Twangs N' Cans, in June 2017.[4] The band's third EP, Grogan Grove, was issued in June 2018. It contains "Lemon to My Lime", their first single to receive airplay on national youth radio station Triple J.[1]
The Grogans' debut studio album, Just What You Want, was written and recorded within one week in Torquay, Victoria, and released in October 2019.[5] It was the first album to be issued under their manager Will Stoeckel's independent record label, Cousin Will.[6] The album was supported by an Australian tour from November.[7] It was followed-up with Day / To / Day, released in November 2020,[8] which was preceded by the single "Got A Girl". Writing for Tone Deaf, Alexander Pan called the track a "step forward for the trio" which pays homage to a more "60s surf sound".[9]
In October 2022, the Grogans released their third studio album, Which Way Is Out. Described by Bryget Chrisfield of Beat as "psychedelic, seductive and dripping with soul",[10] the record features a more present psych-rock influence.[11] It was supported by a 26-date Australia and New Zealand tour from February 2023.[11] The band made their first appearance on the live music programme, Like a Version, in September 2023 where they performed a cover of the Kinks' 1964 single "You Really Got Me".[12] The trio's fourth album, Find Me A Cloud, was released in October 2023 amidst performing several shows across Europe and the United Kingdom.[13] It was named the weekly feature album by Triple J who described it as a "surf-rock, sun-drenched album full of energetic guitars and heartfelt songwriting".[14] The Find Me A Cloud Tour will continue in Australia from March 2024.[15]
In November 2023, the Grogans were nominated for Unearthed Artist of the Year at the 2023 J Awards.[16]
Artistry
editThe Grogans cite surf rock from the 1960s as a major influence for their sound,[17] as well as contemporary acts like Hockey Dad and Tame Impala.[5] With the release of their third album, Augustus Welby of Rolling Stone said their expanding palette spanning blues rock and vintage psychedelic pop took notes from the Beatles and Kinks.[1]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Just What You Want (Cousin Will, 7 October 2019)
- Day / To / Day (Cousin Will, 13 November 2020)
- Which Way Is Out (Cousin Will, 28 October 2022) – No. 17 ARIA Australian Albums[18]
- Find Me A Cloud (Cousin Will, 20 October 2023) – No. 15 ARIA Australian Albums,[19] No. 2 AIR Independent Label Albums[20]
Extended plays
edit- Cacteyed (Independent, 16 December 2016)
- Twangs N' Cans (Independent, 10 June 2017)
- Grogan Grove (Independent, 15 June 2018)
References
edit- ^ a b c d Welby, Augustus (7 March 2022). "The Laidback Independence of Melbourne Band The Grogans". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ a b Francis, Priya (26 June 2019). "The Grogans capture the laid-back lifestyle we all yearn for". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Cacteyed, by The Grogans". Bandcamp. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Twangs n' Cans, by The Grogans". Bandcamp. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ a b Gillespie, Kyra (19 December 2019). "Surf rock trio The Grogans on the making of 10-track debut album Just What You Want". Forte Magazine. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Welby, Augustus (18 August 2020). "Meet Cousin Will, the local indie record label fostering a new wave of music talent". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "The Grogans Announce Aussie Album Tour". The Music. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Jenke, Tyler (11 November 2020). "Premiere: Melbourne rockers The Grogans share their new album, 'Day / To / Day'". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Pan, Alexander (21 October 2020). "The Grogans are back with their thumping new single 'Got A Girl'". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Chrisfield, Bryget (28 October 2022). "Psychedelic, seductive and dripping with soul: The Grogans' 'Which Way Is Out'". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ a b Lochrie, Conor (8 December 2022). "Track by track: The Grogans break down 'Which Way Is Out'". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "The Grogans cover The Kinks 'You Really Got Me' for Like A Version". Triple J. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Jenke, Tyler (2 November 2023). "'You don't really know what's going to happen': The Grogans on touring Europe and new album Find Me A Cloud". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "The Grogans – Find Me A Cloud". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Fry, Courtney (22 November 2023). "The Grogans announce 2024 Australian tour". Triple J. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Faith, Tommy (1 November 2023). "Here are your 2023 Unearthed Artist of the Year nominees". Triple J. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Fresh off the release of their two new singles, we caught up with The Grogans for a chat". Happy Mag. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums for week of 7 November 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums for week of 30 October 2023". Australian Recording Industry Association. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "This Week In The Charts – 30 October 2023". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.