“Musical sophistication, individuality, diversity and a touch of simplicity all tastefully infused into an impressive whole. By the third play through … I was hooked” so reads the feature review, bandcamp; of ‘Turning Around’; the latest release from EMILY GRANT; the unlikely but formidable duo of classically trained pianist Emily Coyle (piano, vocals) and rock loving guitarist Grant Staines. Don’t be fooled by the stripped back musical resources of this ensemble, as witnessing Staines’ “buckley-esque guitar work” X-PRESS MAGAZINE and Coyle’s ‘soaring vocals’ HYPE MAGAZINE alongside her ivory pounding skill at the piano will leave you wondering if you haven’t just spent a night at the symphony. Engineered by the award winning team of Kieran Kenderessy (“Birds of Toyko”) and King Willy (Goyte, Emma Louise), this latest release consolidates EMILY GRANT’s reputation for conjuring up magical and compelling songs through evocative lyrics underpinned by an “eclectic, complex yet accessible style which effortlessly mixes elements of classical, funk, blues, rock, pop and jazz” X-press magazine. The diversity of EMILY GRANT’s musical influences is evidenced not only through their compositions, but by the variety of stages these two artists have graced (from the Sydney Opera house to the Edinburgh Fringe) and the breadth of their musical collaborations which bends from Jazz alumni such as Helen Matthews to electronica artists of London’s dance music kingdom “Ministry of Sound’. Having returned from a 2014 summer tour of New York, Paris and Berlin EMILY GRANT are launching their EP in Australia, with premier concerts at the PARIS CAT Jazz club (Melbourne) and the ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB (Perth) December 2014 and more!. A LITTLE HISTORY In the early hours of a party in Perth’s Northern suburbs, Emily Coyle enquired after a track playing on the stereo. She was stunned to discover that to the tunes’ creator was fellow reveler Grant Staines, who had recently recorded the work (his own composition) at a session in Shelter Studios; introductions ensued. Despite their incongruous musical bents and Emily being weeks away from departure to take up a position at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, she was so enraptured with Grant’s song “Idol 55” she proposed an ultimatum; one year to collaborate to see where it would take them. They would never look back. Emily and Grant, under the collaborative name of ‘Idle55’ recruited a rhythm section and stormed into the West Australian Music scene, past 500 entrants to win the heat and semi final of the "Next Big thing competition" falling short of Grand Final victory to none other than John Butler. Their consolation prize was enough studio time to record their first, self-titled album ‘Idle55’ which attracted an invitation to perform in the UK Lizard Festival, alongside such acts as Groove Armada, James, The Levellers and Kula Shaker. Their subsequent performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival garnered a personal invitation to feature in the upcoming New York Fringe, but Emily and Grant instead set sail for Spain where for 3 months they thrilled the Spaniards with their show from Sans Sebastian to Granada and back again. After a year writing in the UK, Emily and Grant returned to Australia. With a new line up of talent they were once again staple fixtures on the West Australian Music scene, with a following whose loyalty broke attendance records and evidenced that “this act certainly has more than one string to their bow” Hype Magazine. Their live show caught the attention of electronica act NU-23 who commissioned Emily to write and perform works with them during the Australian Ministry of Sound tour. Emily and Grant recorded their second studio album “Six Degrees” of which the opening single broke through the obligatory indie shackles of community radio to feature on commercial FM but, in a twist of fate the drummer relocated and the bass player retired and with no band to tour, the full album was never released. Devastated, but determined Emily convinced Grant to ditch the rhythm section, move to Melbourne and take to the stage just the two of them. They did just that, going ‘underground’ to write and reinvent. In 2014, Emily and Grant have re-emerged with a new sound, a new name ‘EMILY GRANT’ and a new EP “Turning Around” due for release on the 1st December 2014. www.emilygrant.com.au