Great Grandpa Returns: How Influences Shaped Their New Album 'Patience, Moonbeam'

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. The Renaissance of Great Grandpa
4. A Look at the Influences
5. The Journey Towards Patience, Moonbeam
6. Real-World Impact and Reception
7. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Great Grandpa releases their long-awaited album, Patience, Moonbeam, after a five-year hiatus, showcasing their most collaborative effort yet.
• Key influences of the album span a diverse range of artists, including Caroline Polachek, Sufjan Stevens, and Elliott Smith, highlighting the band’s eclectic musical evolution.
• The album is characterized by ambitious artistry, emotional depth, and a reflection of the collaborative spirit within the band.

Introduction

Five years can feel like both an eternity and an instant, particularly in the music industry where trends can shift overnight. For Great Grandpa, the Seattle-based indie rock band, this hiatus has been transformative. Their new album, Patience, Moonbeam, stands as a testament to growth, exploration, and collaboration, delivering a rich art rock experience that pushes previous boundaries. To understand the evolution encapsulated in this release, Great Grandpa has shared the ten key albums that influenced their creative process, showcasing a diverse musical palette that ranges from introspective indie to expansive pop.

But what do these influences reveal about the band's journey and the artistry at play in Patience, Moonbeam? This article delves into the ten pivotal albums that not only inspired the band's latest sound but also contextualized their return to a collaborative atmosphere after five years in musical silence.

The Renaissance of Great Grandpa

Originally formed in 2015, Great Grandpa gained a notable following through their unique sound, blending loud indie rock with soft-spoken melodies and relatable lyrics. Their first two albums, Crazy Dead People and Four of Arrows, showcased the band's ability to oscillate between angst and reflection. However, following the release of Four of Arrows in 2020, the band members found themselves at a crossroads, grappling with personal challenges and the ever-changing landscape of the music industry exacerbated by the pandemic.

The five-year hiatus allowed each member to explore individual projects and influences, ultimately culminating in a desire to create something together again. This collective experience, informed by their personal journeys and diverse musical inspirations, has led to the creation of Patience, Moonbeam—their most ambitious and collaborative project yet.

A Look at the Influences

Great Grandpa's band members, each contributing to the creative vision, cited ten albums that were particularly influential during the making of Patience, Moonbeam. Here's a closer look at these selections and their significance.

1. Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

The album stands as a beacon of modern pop craftsmanship, illustrating intricate sound designs and unique production techniques. Guitarist Dylan Hanwright highlights this record as central to his appreciation for thoughtful pop songwriting. The album's expansive soundscapes served as a reference point for the band in seeking to incorporate layers of complexity and beauty into their own work.

2. Strange Ranger – Pure Music

Dylan also drew from Strange Ranger's evolution from noisy indie rock to detailed concept records filled with nostalgia. The band's journey highlighted the importance of storytelling, inviting Great Grandpa to experiment with their own narrative and sonic constructs, revealing emotional depth shaped by personal histories.

3. Dijon – Absolutely

Dijon's heartfelt, vocal-centric approach inspired lead vocalist Al Menne as they crafted Kiss the Dice. The warm blend of sounds and textures provided a backdrop for creativity, propelling Great Grandpa toward exciting new explorations in vocal harmonies and dynamic delivery during recording sessions.

4. Sparklehorse – It’s a Wonderful Life

Al noted the profound influence Sparklehorse had on their songwriting process. The combination of lo-fi aesthetics with sophisticated arrangements resonated deeply with Al, who appreciated how Sparklehorse's melancholic vibe matched well with his own introspective lyricism, enriching the album's emotional palette.

5. Moses Sumney – Aromanticism

The pandemic brought with it a blanket of isolation, and guitarist Pat Goodwin found solace in the deeply reflective compositions of Moses Sumney. The emotional and melodic sophistication of Aromanticism played a pivotal role in shaping the band's musical landscape, further guiding them towards unique arrangements with a personal touch.

6. Daniel Rossen – You Belong There

Recommended by fellow bandmates, this album merged traditional and contemporary sounds, captivating Pat with its flamenco-classical influences. Rossen’s ability to straddle genres without feeling derivative offered Great Grandpa a sense of freedom, which they enlisted to shape heirjoin album.

7. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell

Carrie Goodwin, the band's bassist, frequently turned to this poignant album during touring hours. Stevens' deeply personal narratives of loss and acceptance resonated with Carrie, who found parallels in her own songwriting process. Aspects of lyrical storytelling became significant touchstones in the lyrics for tracks like Kid, inspired by Stevens’ process.

8. Elliott Smith – Either/Or

Regarded as a masterclass in contemplative yet complex songwriting, this album served as a vital reference point for Carrie. Smith's ability to communicate raw emotions while weaving intricate compositions inspired her approach to crafting relatable yet profound narratives in their music.

9. Lankum – False Lankum

Drummer Cam LaFlam noted the influence of Lankum’s reimagined folk stories through a modern lens. Their combination of haunting melodies and intricate layering spoke to themes of togetherness amid darkness—an echo of the unity felt among Great Grandpa as they navigated their artistic abilities while working on Patience, Moonbeam.

10. Spirit of the Beehive – Hypnic Jerks

Cam further drew upon this album's thrilling unpredictability and dense layering—a significant departure from their previous work. Its ability to meld catchy hooks with experimental soundscapes guided Great Grandpa in reinventing their sound while maintaining the familiar core qualities that fans have come to love.

The Journey Towards Patience, Moonbeam

The list of influential albums is not merely a selection of favorites; it illustrates how the individual paths of each band member collectively shaped the creative process during Patience, Moonbeam’s development. From the heartfelt ballads inspired by personal experiences to the audacious explorations of sound and genre, the divergent influences consolidated into a coherent narrative that encapsulated Great Grandpa’s essence.

Their five-year hiatus was not a loss—but a time for reflection, experimentation, and reinvention. The album emerges as a synthesis of their past, present, and future ambitions, where influences merge seamlessly with their distinctive style to create an artful tapestry woven from threads of numerous inspirations.

Real-World Impact and Reception

Upon its release, Patience, Moonbeam received critical acclaim, with many praising its sonic exploration and emotional depth. Publications lauded its ambition, asking whether this album could indeed mark a new chapter for Great Grandpa, paving the way for exciting future endeavors.

As the band inches back into the spotlight, they embody the resilience of artists who take necessary steps back to gain perspective and refocus their creative energies. The reception to Patience, Moonbeam is a testament to their commitment to artistry, growth, and the impact that influences, both personal and musical, can have on the life of an album.

FAQ

What themes does Patience, Moonbeam explore?

The album tackles themes of self-reflection, emotional confrontation, and the interplay between personal experiences and broader societal issues. It blends melancholic undertones with moments of introspection and hope.

How does Patience, Moonbeam differ from Great Grandpa’s previous albums?

This release is notably more collaborative than previous efforts, with all five members contributing to both the writing and the arrangement of songs, leading to a more diverse and intricate sound.

Who are some notable artists that Great Grandpa cites as influences on this album?

The band mentions a variety of artists and albums that influenced their sound, including Caroline Polachek, Elliott Smith, and Sufjan Stevens, among others. These influences range across genres, highlighting their eclectic musical style.

What is the significance of the album title, Patience, Moonbeam?

While the title’s significance is open to interpretation, it reflects themes of introspection, the delicate balance between light and darkness, and the necessity of patience in the creative process, as exhibited by the band's journey through their hiatus.

Where can fans listen to Patience, Moonbeam?

The album is available on several music streaming platforms, including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music, allowing fans equal access to this new chapter in the band’s evolving story.

As Great Grandpa renews their musical dialogue with the world through Patience, Moonbeam, their journey serves as a reminder of the profound impact that influences can have on creativity and collaboration—a journey of patience rewarded with artistry.