London Grammar
{{short description|British indie pop band}}
{{distinguish|North London Grammar School}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = London Grammar
| image = London Grammar New Holland.jpg
| image_upright = 1.25
| alt =
| caption = London Grammar performing at New Holland Island in Saint Petersburg in July 2017
| origin = Nottingham, England
| genre = {{hlist|Indie pop{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/london-grammar-share-two-new-videos-for-oh-woman-oh-man-watch/ |title=London Grammar share two new videos for 'Oh Woman Oh Man' — watch |work=Consequence of Sound |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}}{{cite web |last=Gebremedhin |first=Thomas |url=http://www.vogue.com/article/music-london-grammars-exclusive-remix-of-strong-from-dj-jonas-rathsman |title=London Grammar's Exclusive Remix of "Strong" from DJ Jonas Rathsman |work=Vogue |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=26 June 2017}}|dream pop{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/london-grammar-share-new-album-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-stream-download/ |title=London Grammar share new album Truth Is A Beautiful Thing: Stream/download |work=Consequence of Sound |date=9 June 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}}|trip hop{{cite web |last=Bartleet |first=Larry |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/london-grammar-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-review |title=London Grammar – 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing' Review |work=NME |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=26 June 2017}}|electronica{{cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Lester |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/apr/22/new-band-day-london-grammar |title=New band of the day: London Grammar (No 1,497) |work=The Guardian |date=22 April 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013}}|art rock{{Cite web|title=The Georgia Straight presents London Grammar at Fortune Sound Club {{!}} Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly|url=https://www.straight.com/blogra/406891/georgia-straight-presents-london-grammar-fortune-sound-club|date=2013-08-05|website=The Georgia Straight|access-date=2020-05-10}}{{Cite web|title=The House That Disclosure Built|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-house-that-disclosure-built/|last=Calvert|first=John|date=2014-07-15|website=Vice|access-date=2020-05-10}}{{Cite web|title=London Grammar: If You Wait|url=https://www.popmatters.com/175245-london-grammar-if-you-wait-2495724401.html|date=2013-09-12|website=PopMatters|access-date=2020-05-10}}|art pop
}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Metal & Dust
- Ministry of Sound
- Columbia
- Dew Process
}}
| website = [https://www.londongrammar.com/ londongrammar.com]
| current_members =
- Hannah Reid
- Dot Major
- Dan Rothman
}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22709325|title=Introducing... London Grammar|date=4 June 2013|last=Knowles|first=Robin|access-date=25 June 2013|publisher=BBC}} Their debut extended play, Metal & Dust, was released in 2013 by Metal & Dust Recordings; {{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10116780/London-Grammar-New-Faces.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10116780/London-Grammar-New-Faces.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=London Grammar – New Faces|author=James Lachno|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 June 2013|access-date=25 June 2013}}{{cbignore}} 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.
History
=2009–2012: Early career=
Vocalist Hannah Reid and guitarist Dan Rothman are originally from London{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/london-grammar-singer-hannah-reid-on-sexism-in-the-music-industry-8957594.html|work=London Evening Standard|author=David Smyth|title=London Grammar singer Hannah Reid on sexism in the music industry|date=22 November 2013|quote=Reid is from the Acton area and Rothman from Hendon}} 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|date=February 2017}} 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."
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.{{cite web|url=http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/daniel-rothman/37/b81/53b?trk=pub-pbmap|title=Dan Rothman Linkedin entry|quote=Notes that he graduated in 2011 with a BA in Economics and philosophy|publisher=LinkedIn}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/conor-wheeler/4a/592/88a|title=Conor Wheeler Linkedin entry|quote=Details his period as a manager for the band from December 2011 to June 2012|publisher=LinkedIn}} The band began playing low-key gigs at local bars, honing their material. 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. In the same year, the trio did some early recordings with Rollo Armstrong of Faithless and Liam Howe of Sneaker Pimps.{{cite web|title=London Grammar Interview|url=http://www.bristolbeatsclub.com/podcasts/on-tour-in-bristol/london-grammar-interview|website=Bristol Beats Club|date=16 February 2014 |access-date=23 June 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/features/london-grammar-space-is-the-answer/|author=Huw Oliver|title=London Grammar: Space is the answer|work=DIY|date=4 September 2013}}
=2013–2016: ''If You Wait''=
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. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20130609/7502/ |date=15 June 2013|title=Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive|work=Official Charts Company}} 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".
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,{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/documents/ARIAChartsmediarelease14Sept2013.pdf|publisher=ARIA Charts|access-date=22 August 2014|title=ARIA Charts 14 Sept 2013}} 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.{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/london-grammar-to-release-debut-album-if-you-wait-september-10-218400221.html |title=London Grammar To Release Debut Album If You Wait September 10 |location=New York |publisher=Columbia Records |agency=PR Newswire |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=26 June 2017}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1627151/watch-london-grammar-play-fallon/video|title=Watch London Grammar Play Fallon |work=Stereogum|date=14 January 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014}} marking their debut performance on American television.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1720627/london-grammar-musical-memories.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129231552/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1720627/london-grammar-musical-memories.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2014|title=Which Member of London Grammar Cried When She Found Out Elvis Was Dead? - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV|access-date=20 January 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-10 |title=Hottest 100 - 2013 {{!}} triple j |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/13/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-artist-albums-of-2014-so-far-2874/|title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Artist Albums of 2014 so far!|publisher=UK Official Charts|access-date=25 May 2014}} London Grammar won an Ivor Novello Award in the Best Song Musically and Lyrically category for "Strong".{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10849855/Ivor-Novello-Awards-2014-Tom-Odell-London-Grammar-and-Nick-Cave-all-winners.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10849855/Ivor-Novello-Awards-2014-Tom-Odell-London-Grammar-and-Nick-Cave-all-winners.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ivor Novello Awards 2014: Tom Odell, London Grammar and Nick Cave all winners|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014}}{{cbignore}} 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.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.musicindie.com/news/1378
| title = AIM Independent Music Awards 2014 Winners Announced – The Association of Independent Music
| publisher = musicindie.com
| access-date = 29 February 2016
| archive-date = 4 March 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304175721/http://www.musicindie.com/news/1378
| url-status = dead
}}
On 2 September 2014, French fashion house Dior released an advertisement campaign for J'Adore that featured the song "Hey Now" (The Shoes remix).{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm-vBq-1T1k|title=Dior J'adore – "The future is gold" – The new film|publisher=YouTube|access-date=27 September 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejtz5aefk74|title=London Grammar – "Hey Now" (J'adore Dior Remix by The Shoes)|publisher=YouTube|access-date=27 September 2014}}
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''=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/london-grammar-new-single-1930044|title=London Grammar share new single 'Rooting For You'|work=NME|date=January 2017|access-date=4 January 2017}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/london-grammar-announce-new-album-unveil-title-track-truth-beautiful-thing-2026938|title=London Grammar announce new album and unveil title track 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing' |date=24 March 2017|work=NME|access-date=13 June 2017}} The album was largely recorded with producers Paul Epworth and Greg Kurstin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/london-grammar-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-review|title=London Grammar – 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing' Review – NME|website=NME|date=7 June 2017|access-date=13 June 2017}} It charted at No. 1 in the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/z3ny1n/london-grammar-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-number-1-album|title=London Grammar See Off Katy Perry To Land No.1 Album With 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing'|access-date=2017-08-25}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-11-13/watch-the-gloomy-first-trailer-for-peaky-blinders-series-4/|work=Radio Times|title=Watch the gloomy first trailer for Peaky Blinders series 4|first=Ben|last=Allen|access-date=14 November 2017}}
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'' =
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.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 March 2021|title=LONDON GRAMMAR Release New Single 'How Does It Feel'|url=https://amnplify.com.au/london-grammar-release-new-single-how-does-it-feel/|access-date=8 April 2021|website=Amnplify}} "America" was one of the first songs written for the album, and was written about letting go of the past.{{Cite web|last=Newton|first=Felicity|date=2021-04-09|title=London Grammar have shared another new album cut 'America', a song about moving on|url=https://readdork.com/news/london-grammar-america-song/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Dork}} The launch of "Californian Soil" was accompanied by a full live performance on YouTube.{{cite web |title=[LIVE] London Grammar: Californian Soil – The Live Show |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0g4TtI_XTM |website=YouTube| date=18 April 2021 }} London Grammar were nominated for the "Best Group" at the Brit Awards 2022.{{Cite news|date=19 December 2021|title=Brit Awards 2022: Full list of nominees
|publisher=BBC News
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59711692|access-date=23 December 2022}}
= 2024–present: ''The Greatest Love'' =
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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/london-grammar-announce-new-album-the-greatest-love-with-hypnotic-lead-single-house-3613735|title=London Grammar announce new album The Greatest Love with hypnotic lead single 'House'|magazine=NME|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|date=5 April 2024|access-date=16 June 2024}} 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
London Grammar's music has been described as "a blend of ambient, ethereal and classical sounds"{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/features/82510/london-grammar-weve-been-given-time-to-develop-naturally|title=London Grammar: 'We've been given time to develop naturally'|work=Gigwise}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/interviews/a490832/london-grammar-weve-gone-as-pop-as-we-can-interview.html|title=London Grammar: 'We've gone as pop as we can'|work=Digital Spy}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/leisure/music/10410720.The_Great_Escape__London_Grammar/|author=Dominic Smith|title=The Great Escape: London Grammar|work=The Argus|date=16 May 2013}} She describes the songs as "emotionally affected" and said that she "writes about people who come in and out of my life."{{cite magazine |last=Selby |first=Jenn |url=http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/london-grammar-interview-debut-album-details-music |title=If You Wait: London Grammar discuss their striking debut album |magazine=Glamour |location=UK |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=26 June 2017}}
Discography
{{Main|London Grammar discography}}
Studio albums
- If You Wait (2013)
- Truth Is a Beautiful Thing (2017)
- Californian Soil (2021)
- The Greatest Love (2024)
Awards and nominations
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Year
! Awards
! Work
! Category
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan=2|2013
| rowspan=6|UK Music Video Awards
| rowspan=2|"Wasting My Young Years"
| Best Visual Effects in a Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|Best Alternative Video – UK
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=12|2014
| rowspan=2|"Nightcall"
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Cinematography in a Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Music Ad – TV or Online
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3|Themselves
| Best Video Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| Q Awards
| Best New Act
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan=2|"Strong"
| Best Song Musically & Lyrically
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=5|AIM Independent Music Awards
| Independent Track of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
|Independent Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3|Themselves
| Best Live Act
| {{nom}}
|-
| Independent Breakthrough of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Most Played New Independent Act
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2|2015
| International Dance Music Awards
| Best House/Garage/Deep House Track
| {{nom}}
|-
| The Music Producers Guild Awards
| UK Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2017
| "Rooting for You"
| Best Live Session
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| 2018
| Themselves
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| 2024
| m-v-f- Awards
| "Higher" (with CamelPhat)
| Direction in an International Music Video
| {{nom}}
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{MusicBrainz artist}}
{{London Grammar}}
{{Ivor Novello Best Song}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2012 establishments in England
Category:Alumni of British Youth Music Theatre
Category:Because Music artists
Category:Columbia Records artists
Category:British dream pop musical groups
Category:English art rock groups
Category:English electronic music groups
Category:English indie pop groups
Category:English musical trios
Category:Ministry of Sound artists
Category:Musical groups from Nottingham
Category:Female-fronted musical groups