It’s been four years since Grand Vapids released their well-heralded debut Guarantees, and in that interim time the Athens foursome have been trying to sort out the makings of a follow-up. As history has shown, sophomore efforts are often riddled with doubt and anxiety as identities clash and band members work through the uneasy process of where to go next. For Grand Vapids, this meant scrapping entire recording sessions, resolving internal conflicts, and struggling to maintain steady footing as a creative unit.
Fast forward to today, however, and the group finally find themselves on the cusp of releasing new music in the form of an upcoming EP called Rake. The three-song effort promises to showcase a more confident and assured group of songwriters as Grand Vapids emerge from their long layover with greater focus and a keen sense of purpose. As proof, check out the stormy “Pain in Place,” a writhing, slow-churning number that forms the emotional centerpiece of the new EP. Alternating between murky reverie and cathartic shoegaze eruptions, the song creates a rippling canopy of somnolent beauty while simultaneously exploring the nature of suffering and redemption.
“Religion is something I think about a lot,” explains vocalist and guitarist McKendrick Bearden. “Specifically its relationship to our hardships as humans, its explanation for this or lack thereof. ‘Pain in Place’ was really just a simple way for me to work through the idea of seeking relief from the same source of your suffering… I think that the EP is bookended by very personal struggles. Songs about relationships and where do you stand with others. ‘Pain in Place’ asks where do you stand with the world outside of yourself.”
Listen below.
Rake is out Feb. 8. Pre-orders are available here.
More Info
Web: grandvapids.com
Bandcamp: grandvapids.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @grandvapids
Instagram: @grandvapids
SoundCloud: @grand-vapids
Twitter: @grandvapids