Mick Grøndahl
Mick Grondahl | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Christian Grøndahl |
| Born | May 7, 1968 Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Origin | New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Works | Jeff Buckley discography |
| Years active | 1993-present |
| Labels | Columbia |
Michael Christian Grøndahl (often spelled Grondahl) (born 7 May 1968) is a Danish-American bass guitarist. He is widely known for playing bass guitar and composing on Jeff Buckley's debut album, Grace.[1]
Early Life
Grøndahl was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 7, 1968. At a young age, Grøndahl moved to and was raised in Manhattan, New York with his mother and grandmother, Vava.[2] Grøndahl attended Skidmore College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art History and English. He then moved to New York City where he played with several bands. He met Jeff Buckley after seeing him perform at Columbia University's Postcrypt Cafe.
Career
Grøndahl began playing in local bands, playing the local bar scene on Saratoga's Broadway strip. Grøndahl began jamming with Jeff Buckley in Spring of 1993, and he soon joined forces with Buckley. Grøndahl became an integral part of Buckley's live sound, and wrote the songs, "Dream Brother", "Vancouver", "Tongue" and "Edna Frau" which Buckley would sing. Before and after Buckley's death, he played in several bands including Elysian Fields,[3] Beth Orton and the Greenlandic singer Angu. Grøndahl also briefly worked with American songwriter Elliott Smith during recording for Smith’s album XO, however did not contribute studio work due to mourning Jeff Buckley’s passing. As of 2020 he is living in Denmark with his daughter, recording and performing with his group. [4][5][6]
Musicianship and equipment
Interviews with Jeff Buckley reveal that he believed “Many bassists could run circles around [Grøndahl] in terms of technique”, but nobody came close to the feeling of his playing in relationship to Buckley’s own style. Grøndahl is known for playing an olympic white 1966 Fender Jazz Bass with a tortoiseshell pick guard and the instrument Grøndahl borrowed from Buckley to jam at their first session. Grøndahl also toured with a black Jazz Bass as a backup on the Mystery White Boy tour. Grøndahl played through a Mesa/Boogie 400+ bass amp paired with a Mesa/Boogie RoadReady powerhouse cabinet. [7]
Discography
With Jeff Buckley
- Grace (1994)
- Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk (1998)
- Fall in Light (1999)
- Mystery White Boy (2000)
- Live in Chicago (2000)
As Mick Grondahl
- Memphis Twilight (2023)
References
- ^ "Jeff Buckley's Grace Around The World Celebrates Album's 15th Anniversary". PR Newswire. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ Check description for the updated version ! Interview w Mick Grondahl | Writing music w Jeff Buckley. YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Who were the members of Jeff's band?". 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Mick Grøndahl". gaffa.dk Accessed 9 April 2016 (Google translation)
- ^ "AMAZING GRACE Jeff Buckley Pt. 2 - Blurt Magazine". Blurt Magazine. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Rolling Stone Australia — Jeff Buckley: 21 Years of 'Grace'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Mick Grondahl interview". MojoPin.org. Retrieved 7 September 2024.