Greylevel
Encyclopedia
Greylevel are a progressive rock
band from Vancouver
, Canada
which was formed by Derek Barber in 2001. While broadly falling in the progressive rock
genre, their music is also associated with both psychedelic rock
and art rock
with influences as diverse as Pink Floyd
, Talk Talk
, Peter Gabriel
, Arvo Part
and Porcupine Tree
.
The band initially began as solo music project for Barber, who played keyboards, bass, guitars and sang lead vocals. Throughout this early period Barber worked on developing his style of composition through writing and recording a collection of songs. There were various demos that were created during this time, some of which feature early versions of songs that would eventually be released on Opus One.
In 2005, Derek was joined by Richard Shukin on guitars and Esther Barber on vocals and the trio recorded their debut album together as a unit. Upon completion of the album in 2006, Greylevel was subsequently signed to ProgRock Records who released the album on their label in January 2007.
After the release of Opus One, Greylevel was joined by Tyler Friesen on drums and Davis Friesen on bass. Together, the band began working on material that would ultimately become the follow-up release to Opus One. This new material was completed in demo form in 2009 after which the band entered the studio and recorded the full production through 2010. This sophomore release, entitled Hypostatic Union, was completed in late 2010 and scheduled for an international release in early 2011.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band from Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
which was formed by Derek Barber in 2001. While broadly falling in the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
genre, their music is also associated with both psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
and art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
with influences as diverse as Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Talk Talk
Talk Talk
Talk Talk were an English musical group, active from 1981 to 1991. The group had a string of international hit singles including "Today", "Talk Talk", "It's My Life", "Such a Shame", "Dum Dum Girl", "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World"....
, Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Arvo Part
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian classical composer and one of the most prominent living composers of sacred music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs his self-made compositional technique, tintinnabuli. His music also finds its inspiration and influence from...
and Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
.
The band initially began as solo music project for Barber, who played keyboards, bass, guitars and sang lead vocals. Throughout this early period Barber worked on developing his style of composition through writing and recording a collection of songs. There were various demos that were created during this time, some of which feature early versions of songs that would eventually be released on Opus One.
In 2005, Derek was joined by Richard Shukin on guitars and Esther Barber on vocals and the trio recorded their debut album together as a unit. Upon completion of the album in 2006, Greylevel was subsequently signed to ProgRock Records who released the album on their label in January 2007.
After the release of Opus One, Greylevel was joined by Tyler Friesen on drums and Davis Friesen on bass. Together, the band began working on material that would ultimately become the follow-up release to Opus One. This new material was completed in demo form in 2009 after which the band entered the studio and recorded the full production through 2010. This sophomore release, entitled Hypostatic Union, was completed in late 2010 and scheduled for an international release in early 2011.
Current members
- Derek Barber (Vocals, Keyboards, Rhythm Guitars, and Programming)
- Richard Shukin (6 and 12 String Guitars, Lead Guitars)
- Esther Barber (Vocals and Keyboards)
- Davis Friesen (Bass)
- Tyler Friesen (Drums and Percussion)
Discography
- Opus One (2007)
- Hypostatic Union (2011)