The n*grandjean story – so far
Initially the story about Nikolaj Grandjean is one of adaptation. And contrasts. Dealing with a heritage of fitting in. Growing up in an environment, rather different from the others’, keeping peace, makes the kid bicultural. Making music and insisting on staying honest, have later become and essential path. Insisting on telling his truth. This is now. Obviously many things lead to this.
Parents’ divorce was well founded. Fates crossed. Growing up Grandjean mainly lived with his Mother. This was a life in various collectives, around politically active, left wing liberals and such, with a strong creative vibe. Regular visits with Dad, who chose to go in a radical different direction, obviously made a mark and that contrast very much defines the man today. Grandjean early on found it made great sense, playing around with words and making music. An undeniable talent that fulfilled many needs pursuing. As a kid he wrote songs for birthdays, for the attention. In school he enjoyed writing and making up games. When he started playing the guitar as a teen, he instantly began writing his own material instead of learning how to play others’ songs.
For many years Grandjean played in various rock bands, but never really enjoyed having to share the song writing with others. Grandjean joined with singer Tanja Thulau and producer Per Vibskov on a quest to conquer the world with great pop music and signed with Sony. After working on an album for 3 years, the album was dropped by the label, and Grandjean proclaims, in equals parts of anger and disappointment, that he is from now on a song writer and his dreams of being discovered young – with world domination to follow – comes to an abrupt full stop.
Grandjean goes on to write songs for various top 10 Danish artists and in the beginning of the millennium he is nominated for a Danish Grammy. It feels nice to be inside. And then again, not really. It’s too much work that doesn’t pay off and with Tanja Thulau the band ‘Luke’ is formed. In that band is also a young Mikkel Hess, Jens Bjørnkjær and Bastian Sjelberg. Tight and brilliant jazz musicians, that really puts Grandjean to work.
The next period of time is a rich learning experience. Grandjean plays the role of song writer, guitarist and co lead singer. Luke releases three albums, ‘Luke’/2003, ‘Nurse and Amaze’/2005 and ‘Guaratiba’/2006, and achieves another Grammy nomination for best Danish new act in 2003.
During recordings with Luke on a mountainside in Brazil, Grandjean gets quite handy with the recording devices and with close friend, opera singer Mikkel Lomborg, by his side, he decides to start recording his own material as a proclaimed singer. This partnership defines a radical change in Grandjeans life and career. A vision of nearness and playfulness is put into music and label man, DJ, producer and recording artist, Kenneth Bager picks up on the idea. The result is the solo debut, ‘Carrying Stars’, released April 2008.
Since then Grandjean has been touring around the world, playing more than a hundred shows. Live he is joined by Mikkel Lomborg and Christian Winther. Once again insisting on bringing the truth, keeping everything close and alive.
