This writeup is part of NYU's 2008 Battle of the Bands.
Grace Weber and Julian Waterfall Pollack are both accomplished musicians in their own right, but together, they create an effortless, extraordinary kind of music.
The duo met last year as freshmen in Goddard residence hall, where they instantly began writing music, and the rest is history.
Their jazz-inflected songs are slick, self-assured compositions. Weber's astonishing voice is the centerpiece, and her singing is consistently excellent. She's naturally gifted, and some of the most exciting moments occur when she hits that diva-patented high note. But she doesn't have to; her voice is just as impressive when it's restrained.
Pollack adds delicate piano-playing and sings along on "Watchin' The Days Go By." Occasional acoustic guitar and drum beats spring up, but the foundation of each song is on vocals and piano accompaniment. Despite this relatively limited palette, the music is lively and intricately arranged. No matter what your personal tastes, it's difficult to not be impressed with Grace and Julian.
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They ended up placing second in the competition, and I definitely recommend a listen. I thought this would be just a usual assignment, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. And that's one of the best parts about this job.
MP3: Grace and Julian - Hold My Hand
MySpace: Grace and Julian
Official Site: Grace and Julian
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