The band built their own studio, hidden deep in the woods of Twente. They took a radical turn in their creative process, writing without a set goal in mind and just letting the music flow, without any restrictions. This new approach brought about a broad shift in their musical tastes, simply by doing what they love. The result? A bold step into the unknown, unafraid to experiment, even with elements like autotune in their songs, a choice that brought them a new wave of energy and insight.
In this new album, the band explores themes that reflect what the world is struggling with today: the times we live in, the effects of social media and the "fakeness" of the online world. This musical journey allows them to make sense of these modern dilemmas, explore them and express them in their unique sound. But that's not all; they have also set their sights on their live shows. The songs are written in such a way that they offer an explosive and immersive experience to their fans live.
The recording of the first songs took place with Pablo van der Poel, known from DeWolff. Although they learned a lot from him, the band was convinced they were also capable of putting their own stamp on the album. The Grand East was mainly known in the roots/blues scene, and although they loved this, they wanted to deviate from the musical conventions associated with it. It might be surprising to fans of the band, known for their 60s/70s roots & blues music, but it is precisely this unexpected element that makes it exciting. "The Beatles were also inspired by blues, but were extremely progressive in adding their own elements." Music from the 60s was much freer than bands trying to emulate the music of that era.
The Grand East is not worried about whether this new sound will suit their traditional fans. "We would rather be at the forefront than somewhere in the back carriage of the train," he says. They want to be ahead of the times and break new ground.
The band itself still enjoys listening to the album. It is new, refreshing and something they themselves have never heard anywhere else.
