THE FAMILY GRAVE release single 'Loving Is Easy' (Lagos Version)
The latest release from alt-folk outfit The Family Grave (Brighton, UK) is a collaboration with the Nigerian producer Dimmeji.
Dimmeji is a versatile music producer and pianist with classical training and has made a name for himself by blending genres to craft captivating sounds that resonate with his audience. His journey, filled with soulful creations and innovative productions, has seen him collaborate with a variety of artists, leading to a growing fan base and critical acclaim. Dimmeji’s debut solo EP ‘Blessed and highly favored (BHF) showcases his versatility and artistic vision, blending element of Afro, and Ama piano.
Brighton's The Family Grave released their latest album 'The Family Grave play Songs About Love' in late 2024 to widespread acclaim. The album contains the singles The Immigrant, Lessons of Love and Caroline along with highly regarded album tracks like Leave Him Behind and No Return. Definitely not an album of traditional love songs, it covers a range of subjects from the personal to the political and has been praised for its intelligent and sensitive lyricism. It was followed closely by an album of remixes of its ten songs, including the instrumental version of Lessons of love highlighting the beautiful trumpet work of Matt Ellis Devitt featured on the original album.
This latest single 'Loving Is Easy' is a new recording of a track from Play Songs About Love, produced by the Nigerian musician and producer Dimmeji, who took the song's unabashed optimism and romanticism to new heights. The Family Grave's singing is deep and resonant, reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, and Dimmeji has provided an uplifting soulful mix with backing vocals recorded in his hometown of Lagos that bring a warmth and electricity to the listener.
This is a song that enthuses about life, and speaks to the heart. This song contains a positive message that will resonate around the world.
"Look in your heart and you can be free. Loving is Easy" (if you want it to be)
Biography
The Family Grave is an outsider artist, writing strangely classic, evocative, and intelligent songs. As a studio band, the group is mainly a vehicle for Jon's songwriting, with musical contributions from friends.
The first The Family Grave album, Everybody is Flawed, was a lo-fi affair, recorded straight to cassette.
Happy Songs, their first album recorded and mixed at Church Road Studios (Hove, UK), featured Martyn Moss (M. Butterfly), violin from Maria Marzioli (Slum of Legs, Porridge Radio), drums by Simon Adams (Mum Dad and the Kids, Beatles for Sale), and trumpet by Matt Ellis Devitt (The Meow Meows), alongside Jon's own guitar and vocals.
Their latest album is called The Family Grave Play Songs About Love and was also recorded at Church Road. It features the awesome talents of Martyn Moss (M. Butterfly), Peter Collis (Diamond Family Archive), Paul Pascoe (Mudlow, Beat Hotel), some ethereal middle-European cornet from the mysterious R. Dyer, and the beautifully cool jazz trumpet of Matt Ellis Devitt.
The first song released from the album was The Immigrant, a timely plea for tolerance with some beautiful backing vocals from Tim Harbridge and Lindsey Oliver. The second song was Lessons of Love, which came with a gorgeous lo-fi YouTube video of little monkeys teaching us how to love. The third release, No Return, was a song about life and love in London's East End, every word true, earning praise from across the globe.
A double A-sided single featuring the epic Caroline and the memorable folk-pop of Leave Him Behind, two originals in the inimitable style of The Family Grave, was released on a super-limited 7" single on the Super8Sync label and is available online in all good digital places.
The Family Grave Play Songs About Love was released in September 2024 and is full of intelligent human songs that bridge the personal and the political but are profoundly of the moment. We think the album's great and will stay with you for a while.
There is also a remix version of the album, a jazz-folk half-hour blast, that we think you'll enjoy. It will be released at the start of January 2025.
The next release is a re-recording of the album track Loving Is Easy, constructed in Lagos by the Nigerian producer Dimmeji. It exudes positivity.
And the next album is already in the pipeline. Let's go!
The Family Grave writes classic songs and loves classic songwriting.
No Return "Proves that great songwriting is not just about catchy hooks - it's about baring your soul and sharing your truth." – Divine Magazine
"Obtuse yet warmly warm folky goodness." – OutsideLeft website
Happy Songs "An eclectic collection of refreshingly different, thought-provoking songs." – Brighton Source
"Storytelling on this album is something you don't hear every day." – YDN Radio
For fans of Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Tim Hardin, Bill Callahan, the Harry Smith Anthologies, and The Beatles.
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