Grovenor Sound

Neil Mac

Over the last few years, my neighbourhood pal Darren and I have spent countless hours in my basement studio writing, sharing ideas, and bouncing songs off one another over a few civilized libations. Between the two of us, Read more

Over the last few years, my neighbourhood pal Darren and I have spent countless hours in my basement studio writing, sharing ideas, and bouncing songs off one another over a few civilized libations. Between the two of us, there must be 20-plus tunes that were born during those sessions, with a few of them finding their way onto my Leaves from the Family Tree EP.

To summon the creative muse, Darren and I would take turns choosing prompts—just enough to point us in a general direction and get the ideas flowing. Some of those prompts led me to write surprisingly personal songs about family, the future, and the desire to be present for the people closest to me.

Not Black Rose, though. That one is a direct response to Billy Joe Shaver’s Black Rose. I’ve never been to a cane field, not yet anyhow.

As I thought about what to call this album, it occurred to me that all of these songs come from the same specific place—and, to my ears, share a similar sound. Viewed through my own creative lens, that place and that sound can only be called The Grovenor Sound.

I hope you find something here that you like.

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  1. 1
    The Kids 3:31
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  2. 2
    Come Find Me 2:44
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Bio

Neil is a bit like a road worn guitar. Not the kind you might find on the wall of a suburban music store, with artfully placed scuffs and an inflated price tag, but something undeniably authentic. He’s the real deal, and he’s earned every buckle mark, frayed edge, and ding. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Neil has been a sought-after sideman and session musician (Boom Chucka Boys, Mike Plume) for over 20 years. His two critically acclaimed solo albums—the eponymous Neil Mac (2011), and his 2006 debut, Picture of Someone You Need, produced by Lawrence Currie (Sloan, Gandarvas, Wintersleep)—are emotionally literate, characterized by Neil’s powerful and direct voice. At times, soaring, it can also find a ragged, tender edge. There’s a sparkle of power-pop here, a gravelly tinge of heartland rock there. Never imitative, MacDonald draws from his wide palette of melodic references, to paint new pictures from familiar colours.