Meet Little Grandad, the London alt-country band that’s been making waves in the music scene with their dedication to gigging and heartfelt songwriting. The quartet, consisting of brothers Harry and Jack Lower, guitarist Ned Ashcroft, and drummer James Brennan, have been playing non-stop since their first gig last July.
They’ve already racked up an impressive 50 or 60 gigs this year, with a goal to hit a hundred before September. Despite having only two songs out at the time of their conversation with NME, they’ve been booked for festival after festival, played a Radio 6 live session at Maida Vale, and toured up and down the country.
Where Little Grandad Came From
The band’s genesis began when Harry returned to the family home after finishing a business degree. He’d been quietly writing songs since lockdown and decided to pursue music instead of using his degree. His brother Jack, who had also moved home after a breakup, joined him in exploring their shared music taste, worshipping artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young.
The brothers, along with their friend Brennan and Ashcroft, whom they had recently met, started messing around in a rehearsal room once a week at the beginning of last year. None of them had been in a band before, and they had to learn their instruments from scratch. Jack had to learn bass, while Ashcroft, who started in orchestral music, had to adapt to playing electric guitar.
Their Sound and Recent Work
Despite their lack of experience, Little Grandad has honed their sound over the gigs they’ve played. Their heartfelt songwriting, powerful live performances, and tightness have won over fans. They’ve recently released a third song, {“Babe, We’ve Run Out Of Time”}, which followed their initial two releases.
What strikes me about Little Grandad is their genuine passion for music and their willingness to take risks. They’re a band that’s still finding their feet, but they’re already making a significant impact on the alt-country scene.
