Judy Granville is one of a rare breed of singer-songwriters who began performing and producing records in their sixties. Upon retiring and moving to Brighton, she followed in the footsteps of many musicians who have made that city their home. Pretty soon she found herself acquiring a Fender - and what emerged was a prolific singer-songwriter. Her vocal style could perhaps evoke Grace Slick, but you might say her songs cross soul with folk, rock and the odd injection of punk. Some of her many musical influences include Richard Thompson, Bonnie Raitt, Police and The Beat.
Be Still and Wait
Judy's latest song, released in April '24, is BE STILL AND WAIT. She takes us on a metaphorical walk in the mountains, where we get stranded in low-lying cloud. Caught up in confusion and uncertainty? Don't worry, a vaporous dude appearing out of the mist has some advice. This is a frivolous fun fable. And it's rock! Judy accompanies her vocals with electric guitar, and is joined by veteran musicians Theseus Gerard (of Stomp fame) on drums and percussion, and Chris Hookway plays amazing bass.
“In BE STILL AND WAIT [Judy] wields the power of gritty rock aesthetics, with catchy melodies and spoken word infusions to give you a sonic experience like no other.” - Lost in the Manor – Head Editor
“With the electric guitar coming in between the verses are grunge-like pump-ups. The song is a chill number, one that has a sarcastic tone yet philosophy-heavy. ‘Be still and wait’ is a slow rock that the local radio station has fallen in love with and plays every two hours.” - Sinusoidal Music
“The songwriting is perhaps one of the most interesting elements of the track.” - Bowe - Brand New Tracks – Good Music Radar
Be Still and Wait - video
Hold On
Judy's previous single, Hold On, released in '23, is a song with a dance rhythm that develops and builds to a final upbeat chorus. The lyric was written to provide optimism and encouragement in uncertain times. Soon after Hold On's release it flew onto two Apple Music Editorial playlists: New in Rock and New in Indie, and went on to feature in dozens of independent Spotify playlists.
Hold On - video
"... while it is strange, obscure, discomforting and a bit distorted in its acoustic-ness, Granville brings it all together in an elegant harmonic way proving herself a master musician." - Nicole Mendes, The Other Side Reviews
"The melodies that she conceives are truly enigmatic and hypnotic." - Chris Mariotti, Edgar Allan Poets
Hold On - dance remix
Hold On's remix revisits the disco dance world of synth wave!
Judy performed three songs live including HOLD ON in interview on John Keenan's Brighton Beat on Radio Reverb in March 2023. She also guested on numerous radio shows including Peter Suter on Ashdown Radio, Iain Ridgley on Mid Sussex Radio and Kev Castle on Notts Radio. HOLD ON was played on Pete Jones' show on Radio Reverb, Chris Stagg's show on Surrey Hills Radio, Graham Steel's show on GSMC and many other programmes throughout 2023.
I'll Survive
I'll Survive, released in '21, is a punk-rock song, humorous and unrepentant. Written to champion those who have been spurned purely as a result of their own wayward ways, the lyric is nonetheless defiant. Judy provides vocals and electric guitar, Theseus Gerard is on drums and percussion and Chris Hookway on bass.
Judy featured on TalkRadio's Bob Mills show in November '21, with a chat with Bob and a live performance of I'LL SURVIVE.
September '22 Judy featured in John Keenan's Brighton Beat show on Radio Reverb, in interview, and performing live I'LL SURVIVE and HIDE AWAY.
"Watch the music video 'I'LL SURVIVE' from Judy Granville on YouTube and enjoy this cool blues song." - Indiedockmusicblog
"It's certainly a track that you feel yourself going back to for sure, whether that's from the insane instrumentation or the distinctive vocal aspects." - Karley Myall, StrikeANote
"I really appreciated Judy's way of interpreting the lyrics with her passionate and free way of singing. A nice discovery that I recommend to everyone." - Edgar Allan Poets
The track was added to Apple Music's editorial playlist NEW TO ROCK and several Spotify playlists, plus numerous international playlists.
I'll Survive - video
Hide Away
Released in July 2020, HIDE AWAY was aired on multiple radio stations. This is an anthemic tune about the 2020-21 global lockdown predicament. The narrative video deftly conjures up the experience of lockdown - and ultimate liberation, ending with stunning panoramic imagery. Judy is accompanied by musicians Theseus Gerard and Chris Hookway, and also collaborating is successful singer-songwriter and long-time friend, Kev Minney.
BBC Radio 3's Private Passions on Boxing Day 2021 featured HIDE AWAY as one of guest celebrity chef Valentina Harris' choices of music.
Hide Away hit the spot among reviewers including The Other Side Reviews who listed Hide Away as one of the top ten "most impressive tracks to pass our desks" in 2020: "The global journey through the pandemic is skilfully laid out by Judy Granville in her single ‘Hide Away’... She captivates you with her performance... While the vocals and lyrics are relatable, the melody has this feeling that wraps around you." - Claudia Mendes, The Other Side Reviews
"Judy’s lyrics really hit home... the way she delivers it is heavenly." - Sam Wright, RGM Magazine
Hide Away - video
Radio stations nationwide have been playing Hold On, I'll Survive and Hide Away, including Dave Roberts' Show on Meridian; Radio Ashford's Backstage Pass; The Shift Radio; Radio Wigwam's Bandwagon Show; Michael Charles on Big Indie Giant Radio; Mark Cunliffe on Dandelion, and Amazing Radio. Judy's songs also featured on Graham Steel's GSM; Sachin's Submissions on Boogaloo Radio; Chris Stagg on Surrey Hills Community Radio; Pete Jones's Show on Radio Reverb and John Keenan on Radio Reverb's Brighton Guide.
Be Still and Wait, Hold On, I'll Survive and Hide Away are advance tracks from Judy's forthcoming album, Granville, set for release later in the year. With her characteristic diversity of arrangement, Judy has written a further six innovative and unique songs. The album is being recorded and produced by Simon Janes at Homeward Recording Company.
Nisreen
Judy's first release in 2017 was the EP Nisreen. The EP showcases a range of Judy's musical styles: the title track, Nisreen, set in the Middle East, creates a nostalgic theme with a folk melody. Tender Love, which launched the EP, has a catchy tune with a harder edge; its accompanying video is shot against a backdrop of some of Brighton’s most well-known scenery. Three further tracks include the upbeat We’re Gonna Dance; by way of contrast, the slower I Try was written to reflect the refugee crisis which was escalating at that time; ending with the reflective You're Bad.
Judy continues to perform her music in venues all around the South East, including Brighton's famed Neptune, Portslade's Railway Roots, Hove’s Brunswick - and numerous radio stations including Talk Radio, Radio Reverb and Mid Sussex Radio, to name just a few.
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