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GRANT DERMODY – COMES OUT FROM BEHIND

By Lawrence Lebo
Harmonica player and blues singer Grant Dermody first became

known for the musicians, such as Eric Bibb, that he’s backed on
harmonica as a sideman. Currently living in Louisiana, where he
moved to be closer to some of these players, Grant understands
the value of surrounding oneself with other top-notch musi-
cians. They are good company to keep!

The influence of the bayou is clearly present on Dermody’s latest
release Behind The Sun. The electric album contains 15 tracks, 9 of which are
originals, and plays more like an acoustic album than an electric one! Track 6, the harmon-
ica-guitar duo ‘Louisiana Blues’ is sparse and clean, with Grant’s satisfying vocals right up front
and center. Other tracks feature a full electric band, but with the “sparse and clean” arrangement
and production style present throughout. All contributing musicians shine. No one is left behind!

I asked Grant Dermody to tell me about himself and his new release Behind The Sun. This is what
he told me …
LL: Let’s start at the beginning! Would you

tell us about where you grew up, the family
you grew up in, and the music you were
exposed to please?

GD: I grew up in Seattle, in the Northwest part
of the US. I didn't hear a lot of music growing
up. I started playing drums in the fourth grade
and that started to open me up a bit.

LL: Tell us about how and when you started
playing music.

GD: Drums in the fourth grade, dabbled in
guitar during Middle School. Picked up the
harmonica when I was 19 and that was it.

LL: Did you study music or are you an ear
player?

GD: A bit of both. I sang in choirs and took some theory in school but most of what I do is by ear.

LL: What is it that you love about the harmonica?

GD: I love the power and the passion it is capable of getting. I love that it can get any emotion
you want to express IF, you're willing to go there.

LL: Who are your harmonica heroes?

GD: I love the players that can do all of that: Walter Horton, Walter Jacobs, James Cotton, Kim
Wilson, Sonny Terry, Charlie Leighton.