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the Grotto
When six-member alternative outfit the Grotto gather for practice these days, there’s the collective feeling and hope of greater success ahead.
The Grotto has been a fixture on the Grand Valley music scene before there was much of a scene to speak of. Since its original incarnation in January 2000, the group has been playing over six years and is highly anticipating its third CD pressing, Stockholm Syndrome, (working title) in mid 2007.
Stockholm Syndrome is packed with stories of relationships both sweet and sour. A former Grotto vocalist penned Signs are in the Stars, about her now-husband. Ruybal wrote Your Way, recounting the frustration of the compromise that accompanies the merging of lives. Departing from this theme, Oceans is a cut based on the famed novel Moby Dick.
The double trouble vocals of Lyndsy Pritchard and Jake Ruybal create a deep pool of sound that channels Cure-flavored guitars, Travis’s vocal strength and the fascinating darkness of Radiohead. To the Grotto’s surprise, many have hinted at a Fleetwood Mac sound dancing around in there as well.
"We keep getting that,” Ruybal says with a laugh. “Very weird! Lyndsy didn’t even know who Fleetwood Mac were when we first got that comment.”
“As the Grotto smoothes Stockholm Syndrome’s rough spots, the band has also been busy “putting the feelers out,” Ruybal says, to independent record labels such as Saddle Creek, home of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and seeking equipment endorsements.
“We’re ready to take our distribution and promotion to another level,” guitarist and vocalist Jake Ruybal says. “Everybody is ready to get in the van and do this.”
In addition to local headlining shows with audiences of 350+, the Grotto has turned heads as an opener for The English Beat, The Hot IQs and Nina Storey, among others, in Denver venues such as Larimer Lounge and Herman’s Hideaway.
The Grotto released Nadir in October 2003; Rain Maker EP in January 2005; and has beat out dozens of other Grand Valley bands to appear on four local music compilations.
On Stockholm, Ruybal says fans will notice the growth in the Grotto’s songwriting — which is largely collaborative — from its first album, 2003’s Nadir, to the soon-to-be-released Stockholm.
the Grotto is:
Lyndsy Pritchard, lead vocal
Jake Ruybal, guitar and vocal
Dan Belcastro, guitar
Robert Bryant, drums
D’Ray Canaday, bass
Michelle Nelson, keyboard
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nothing scheduled at this time
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NEWS PAST
11.29.05 Thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday for the Super Rad Loki Night. We managed to raise some money for School Dist. 51 student art programs, and hopefully they will be able to do a few more shows this year because of it. Please give a big thank you to the guys from Loki, especially Jess Rigg. He put this event together and without him, none of it would've happened. Also, give it up for Crowded Agnes, and D.L.O. for laying it down on stage. Jake
11.20.05 What a GREAT Show!!! MEGA Thanks to the guys from Poster Child Redemption who graciously filled in last minute for Cerulean who couldn't make it due to unforseen circumstances. Autumn's Chase what can I say, you guys are great, a real pleasure to share the stage with and I can see that happening again soon. The turnout was fantastic we had a great time playing the Mesa as usual. Thanks Dave! Apostrophe
09.20.05 Huge Thanks goes out to the boys (Steffen, Junior, Aaron & BJ) from Innocence Lost. You guys rock! Can't wait to do a show with you in GJ. It was a pleasure to share the stage at your CD Release party on the 17th we all had a great time. Also cudos to Gabriel & Heroes Hero for starting out such a great night you all really got the crowd all riled up.Apostrophe
09.08.05 NEW VIDEO CLIP!!!
"We at The Daily Sentinel are total video amateurs, but we're learning to have fun with our new camcorder. One of our first experiments: the Grotto at Grande River Vineyards. We taped the whole show, excerpted part of "No One But Me", added some commentary by the ever-patient Mr. Ruybal and put it online. Again, it's amateurish, but I think it's also fun. Check it out at www.gjsentinel.com, then click on the "Grand Valley Tracks 2" link at the top to go to the page with the video. " Todd Powell
09.04.05 If you missed the show on Saturday, 08.27.05 you missed a great show!!!
The Daily Sentinel "Grand Valley Tracks II" CD release party / Fundraiser for United Way went off with out a hitch. Riveter tore it up!!! (You Ladies ROCK!!!) The Grotto loves sharing the stage with you. Thank you, Grande River Vineyards and their staff!!! What an awesome place to play. The view of the Bookcliff Mountains and the sunset was stunning. We can’t wait to play G.R.V. again soon. Thank you, Todd, Anna, Chris F. and Chris T., and the Daily Sentinel, Thanks Judy and the United Way for selecting the Grotto to be part of the showcase for such a great event. It was so great to see and meet so many new faces and a few I personally have not seen in ages!!! (Great to see you Trent, Amy and your Beautiful Family!) HUGE THANKS to all our Loyal Fans, our New Fans, our Families and Friends for supporting the Grotto and all our endeavors. D'Ray (Apostrophe)
What all can be said about the INDI ROCK SHOWCASE at the Mesa Theater & Club last Friday, 08.26.05. The Nightmare Fighters started the evening with a great set (you guys ROCK!). Loaded .45 kicked it in NO COAST style even with a gimp on guitar (Chris) and a new drummer to break in. The Hot IQ's, what a show!!! HUGE THANKS to Dave @ the Mesa Theater and Club & the gracious staff as usual you all ROCK thanks for taking care of us.
Thanks to all of you who came out and support Live Music in Grand Junction. Thanks to all for help making it a great show. D'Ray (Apostrophe)
08.20.05 Great Show!!! Thank you SILVER JACK MINING CO. for having us! Jeff it was a pleasure to work with you and you staff we were treated very graciously. We look forward to playing S.J.M.C. again soon. Big Love to my band mates you all tore it up!!! Once again the crew from G.J. was representing in strong numbers, thank you all for coming down to see us!!! We debuted our new song "cold", the new songs just keep getting better and better. The band chemistry is mixing so well, can't wait to hear what we come up with next. Apostrophe.
06.18.05 Huge thanks to our ALL OUR LOYAL FANS for coming out to see us last night! It was a frigg'n great show. Thanks to Feast Er Famine they puled of a great extended set, and a Huge Thanks to our Dear Friend Mick White and (the Whitie Tighties). YOU ALL ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!
04.07.05 Thanks to MSC for choosing The Grotto to be a part of the Tsunami Relief Fund-raiser.
We All had a great time performing and are glad we could share our talents to help raise money for such a worthy cause. thanks to all our friends who helped support. the GROTTO
03.14.05 HUGE THANKS TO ALL OUR GROTTO FRIENDS !!!
The show on the 12th was so great. the support was spectacular. It was fantastic to meet a bunch of new friendly faces and hear that everyone enjoyed the show. Thanks again to all our good friends: Super BUBBZ, Sole AGGRESSION and L.A.D. Theory you guys all rocked the house.
03.13.05 Thanks to all for the luck.
We had a brilliant show last night. Everything felt really right. So much, that I felt as if I were swimming and dreaming at the same time on stage last night. Shows like that are what keep me coming back to rehearsal. Cheers to the band, as it is very well deserved. I am so lucky to be playing with you all. Jake
03.11.05 Greetings Grotto Fans!
Here is the line up for the 12th of March, L.A.D. Theory and Sole AGGRESSION (both from G.J.) it's going to be a great show. We all can't wait to see and play for all our friends again! the GROTTO
02.13.05 Hello Everyone,
The new 4 song EP (Rain Maker) that we worked on in December will be available at the March 12th show. The track listing for it is: 1.Rain Maker (UK remix with Lyndsy on vocals) 2. All You Need 3. No One But Me ( both off of the full length due out soon... May hopefully!) 4. Nothing (UK remix) All of the tracks were selected by the band and Mick White, our dear friend and great mixing engineer/producer from London. The CD's will be for sale. Hope to see you all there, as we are looking forward to playing the MT&C again. Jake
02.12.05 THE RAINMAKER EP is on its way cross the pond. DRC
01.26.05 Huge Thanks!, to our Anonymous fan who made a generous donation to help support our dreams. thank you, the grotto
01.20.05 Grotto Fans Unite!
Very nice turn out! The Lions Lair was great to us, cool club friendly staff great vibe!
Mondo thanks and kudos to all our die hard Grand Junction and Denver fans for coming down on a Wednesday night to party with us, It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet our new fans. DRC
There are new shirts for sale and will be added to the grotto store shortly w/ more merch items on the way. Please be sure to sign up on our e-mail list so we can send you current updates. Thanks again! DRC
12.16.04 Greetings Grotto Fans!
It was Fantastic to see so many familiar faces in the crowd! cudos to our die hard GJ fans that braved the weather to come and see us. Huge Thanks to Herman's Hideaway! Awesome place to play and Fantastic hospitality, looking forward to playing there again. We shared the stage last night with some really great bands, Mother Funk Junction, Bucket, and Collect All Five. check them out when you have a chance! DRC
11.28.04 Greetings Grotto Fans!
Big Thank-you! to all who came out and supported us last night. The show went very well our guest vocalists did a fantastic job. cudos to them!
Love.45 & Midnight to 12 Rocked the freek'n house! it was great to share the stage w/ them.
11.15.04 Hello Grotto fans!
We are still auditioning severial talented singers. We will have 2 fantastic guest female singers at the next show on the 11.27.04 @ The Mesa Theater hope to see you all there. DRC
11.01.04 Hello Grotto fans!
We are currently working on this web site to replace the old thegrottoband.com site while it is under construction. Also, for all you we are looking for a replacement female singer. check back for updates. DRC
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Welcome to the Official web site of the Grotto please enjoy your selves the Grotto is Grand Junction Colorado premier alternative band. Alternative, Classical and gothic flavor with influences that include but are not limited to: The Cure, Radiohead, Joy Division, Queens of the stone age, South, Depeche Mode, Johny Cash, Muse, The Doors, P. J. Harvey, the Pretenders, the Cranberries, Dolly Parton, Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, Sound Garden, System of a Down and The Residents. Band members include Robert Bryant on durms, Dan Belcastro on guitar, D'Ray Canaday (Apostrophe) on bass and sitar, Michelle Nelson on keys and acordian, Lyndsy Pritchard on vocals, Jake Ruybal III on guitar and vocals.
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