The Guggenheim Grotto
Encyclopedia
The Guggenheim Grotto is a folk
-pop
band
from Ballinrobe
, Co. Mayo, Ireland
.
In 2006, and again in 2009, the band performed at SXSW. They released ...Waltzing Alone in the U.S. on New York-based new model indie label United For Opportunity on September 26, 2006, and in November of that year embarked on their first U.S. national tour. Early in 2007, The Guggenheim Grotto's "A Lifetime In Heat" won The 6th Annual Independent Music Award
for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter Song.
The band has since completed four U.S. tours. Songs from their first album have been used in major network prime-time TV shows like One Tree Hill
and Brothers And Sisters, and the album received positive reviews from U.S. national publications like Paste Magazine, as well as regional press like The Boston Globe
and The Washington Post
.
The band's second album, Happy the Man
, was released digitally for a limited time in the U.S. and Ireland on October 7, 2008 and reached No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Folk Chart. The CD was released to stores January 27, 2009, and the band toured nationally to support it.
They are currently on tour with Ingrid Michaelson.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
-pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Ballinrobe
Ballinrobe
-Early history:Dating back to 1390, Ballinrobe is said to be the oldest town in South Mayo. The registry of the Dominican friary of Athenry mentions the monastery de Roba, an Augustinian friary whose recently restored ruins are one of the historical landmarks of the town today...
, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Line-up
- Kevin May - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Mick Lynch - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
History
The band’s debut album ...Waltzing Alone was self-released to immediate critical acclaim in Ireland on September 9, 2005, and their first promotional single “Told You So” rapidly climbed to No. 12 on the Irish National Airplay Chart.In 2006, and again in 2009, the band performed at SXSW. They released ...Waltzing Alone in the U.S. on New York-based new model indie label United For Opportunity on September 26, 2006, and in November of that year embarked on their first U.S. national tour. Early in 2007, The Guggenheim Grotto's "A Lifetime In Heat" won The 6th Annual Independent Music Award
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter Song.
The band has since completed four U.S. tours. Songs from their first album have been used in major network prime-time TV shows like One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
and Brothers And Sisters, and the album received positive reviews from U.S. national publications like Paste Magazine, as well as regional press like The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
.
The band's second album, Happy the Man
Happy the Man (album)
Happy the Man is the second full-length album from the Dublin, Ireland folk-pop band The Guggenheim Grotto. It was originally released on October 21, 2008 by the New York-based indie label United For Opportunity.- Track listing :#"Intro" - 0:58...
, was released digitally for a limited time in the U.S. and Ireland on October 7, 2008 and reached No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Folk Chart. The CD was released to stores January 27, 2009, and the band toured nationally to support it.
Discography
- A Lifetime in Heat (EP) (2004)
- ...Waltzing Alone
- 9 September 2005 – Ireland release
- 26 September 2006 – U.S./Canada release
- Told You So (EP) (January 2007)
- Tigers (EP) (September 2008)
- Happy the ManHappy the Man (album)Happy the Man is the second full-length album from the Dublin, Ireland folk-pop band The Guggenheim Grotto. It was originally released on October 21, 2008 by the New York-based indie label United For Opportunity.- Track listing :#"Intro" - 0:58...
- 5 September 2008 – Ireland release
- 27 January 2009 – U.S./Canada release
- The Universe Is LaughingThe Universe Is LaughingThe Universe Is Laughing is the third full-length album from Mayo and Wexford, Ireland folk-pop band The Guggenheim Grotto. It was originally released on June 15, 2010, by the New York-based indie label United For Opportunity.- Track listing :...
(MP3 on their website) (21 May 2010)- 15 June 2010 – U.S. release
They are currently on tour with Ingrid Michaelson.