John Grant

John Grant is an American singer-songwriter, based in Iceland, known for his darkly witty, emotionally raw songwriting and a rich baritone voice. He first emerged in the 1990s as a member of the Denver-based alternative rock band The Czars, before a period away from music that ended when the band Midlake encouraged and helped him return as a solo artist.

His 2010 solo debut, «Queen of Denmark» (recorded with Midlake as his backing band), announced him as a formidable songwriter blending confessional lyrics about addiction, sexuality, and self-loathing with lush, melodic arrangements drawing on 1970s soft rock and singer-songwriter traditions. He followed it with albums like «Pale Green Ghosts» and «Grey Tickles, Black Pressure», increasingly incorporating electronic and synth-driven textures alongside his signature balladry, as heard in songs such as «GMF» and «Glacier».

Grant is signed to the UK label Bella Union and is noted for his fluency in multiple languages, including Icelandic, which reflects his adopted home. His work is distinguished by an unusually candid, often darkly comic lyrical voice combined with a genuine gift for melody, making him a distinctive figure at the intersection of indie rock, electronic music, and classic singer-songwriter tradition.