Grivo
February 25, 2022| Dan Hillier |FEATURES
Introducing: Grivo | Austin’s Atmospherically Bleak Shoegaze Export
A product of the Texan shoegaze scene, one would be forgiven for being ignorant of Grivo. However, it’s likely the power trio won’t be a relatively obscure name for too much longer.
Forming midway through the last decade and originally coming into creation as a solo project, Grivo are a terminally despondent proposition for an equally despondent age. Whilst their homestead of Austin may be known for it’s humid climate, the band’s output is anything but sun-kissed; throughout their work shoegaze reminiscent of the likes of Hum and Slowdive is filtered through their monochromatic lens and mixed with the granite-textured motifs of Nothing and further enamelled with fatalist downtempo pop sensibilities. The end result is a sound that is bleak, low, oh-so slow yet methodological and suffocatingly atmospheric.
Whereas their 2018 debut LP Elude saw Grivo establish such a sound, it’s their new second record Omit that see’s the band fully embellishing the atmospheric qualities within. From the opening doom laden drawls of ‘Trammel’ all the way to the shimmering gloom of closer ‘There’, Omit is a thick shawl of noise that’s warming, yet wholly suffocating. Even as it ebbs and flows from tenderness to full-scale shoegaze density, the pressurised atmosphere this record manifests is utterly engulfing, never once diminishing or diffusing through mismanagement. It’s intense, but not in an aggressive way – more-so in a way that’s intoxicating and enchanting.
Related: Grivo – Omit | Album Review
It’s unlikely this miasmic sound of Grivo and Omit won’t stay obscure for too much longer, especially the backing of Church Road Records behind them and an upcoming tour with Slow Crush ahead of them. So with that in consideration, we got in touch with Timothy Heck (Guitar, vocals, keyboards) for a chat on their influences, artistic approach and more.
For those new to Grivo, how you would you briefly describe yourselves?
“Long songs with few words. Most would label us as a heavy shoegaze band.”
Musically and conceptually, what are your primary inspirations?
“Musically we listen to everything from Tejano to Grindcore. As far as inspiration, our personal devotions, meditation, nature, and reading.”
How has your current collective home of Austin influenced you and inspired you in the past?
“I can’t say that it has anymore than anywhere else we have lived. It has its ups and downs like any boom city.”
You’ve recently released your second full length Omit,, how are you collectively feeling about the release?
“We’re feeling really good! It took us a while but we all feel that we finally captured what we wanted.”
Omit follows your 2018 LP debut Elude, what did you learn from recording your first record that you implemented in the creation of Omit?
“We knew that we wanted to be present for the mixing and have a heavy hand in everything done. The last record had so many revisions so this time around we committed to any changes in person.”
The record enjoys a delicate balance between ominous bleakness and welcoming warmth, how did you go about creating this contrasting balance, was it a natural process?
“We did all the basic tracking live and to tape so it was all about feel. Danny and Max did an amazing job in capturing every nuance. We tried to let the songs breathe and let everything have its own life.”
The record is also full of finely crafted and intricate textures, one’s that have been unrefined and untainted in the production of the record. What was your creative process on fleshing out these textures?
“Once again, I think that’s due to recording things live and as a band. We wanted things to sound like they do when we play in a room together. There were a mess of toys to play with at Danny’s too, so that helped keep us on our toes and experimenting whenever we felt that overdubs were warranted.”
You’re set for a European tour later this Spring with Slow Crush, how are you feeling about the release?
“Slow Crush are such wonderful people that we will take any opportunity to spend time with them.”
Finally, what you want listeners to take away from Omit?
“I can’t say that we have any intentions for the listener. However, when we receive messages from people saying that it had an impact on their life, that is truly special and means a lot to all of us.”
