JENN GRANT Issue #32

Orchestra for the Moon

By Jonathan Shipley
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am

There’s something good going on up north, specifically in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Jenn Grant heralds from and her pastoral folk-pop is created. Like a Canadian Eleni Mandell, with dibs of Neko Case and dabs of a young Sinead O’Connor, Grant creates mesmerizing music through her song arrangements and honey-like voice. Her debut, Orchestra for the Moon features 13 tracks all cohesive in their sound, yet varied in style with splashes of country, pop, folk, and reggae.

“Dancin’ in the Wind” is a music box of treasures, complete with flute and Grant’s warm voice, sweet with husky hues. It’s the kind of song you’d hear at an outdoor festival stage, groups of young hippies dancing on the grass out front, their clothes afloat in movement, their lips singing along to the intimate lyrics. “Britt N’ Kipp” is a rollicky, guitar-picking, jaw harp–playing, hand-clapping something-or-other, a western story told through a Canadian girl’s musicianship. “Make It Home Tonight” is beautifully somber and begins with Grant’s distinctive voice before ascending into piano, drums, guitar, violin, and more.

Grant has already opened for Josh Ritter and Feist and has played at SXSW and the Toronto International Film Festival. The musicians behind her include some of Nova Scotia’s finest, including Matt Mays and Dick Murray (Hylozoists). But sooner or later, Grant won’t be opening for other bands since her soft music and youthful talent just might take her to the moon and back.