It’s been the most spectacular of journeys, from a place in time when John Grant feared he’d never make music again or escape a life of addiction, to winning awards, accolades and Top 20 chart positions, and collaborating with Sinead O’Connor, Goldfrapp, Elton John and Hercules & Love Affair.
The fact he subsequently won a Best International Male Solo Artist nomination at the 2014 BRITS alongside Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Drake, seemed like some fantasy dreamt up in a moment of outrageous hubris.
Just months later, the BBC’s request for a session with symphony orchestra provided (subsequently released by Bella Union as John Grant And The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra: Live in Concert), followed by Grant taking the Royal Northern Sinfonia on a UK tour, confirmed that it was simply the latest spectacular chapter in his personal and artistic renaissance.
Shure Gear John Grant uses
Shure Gear John Grant uses
John Grant's FOH and Monitor engineers about the Shure KSM Microphones
John Grant's FOH and Monitor engineers about the Shure KSM Microphones
Über KSM9:
John's vocal mic goes through a live FX processor on stage, so it works better when the source is very tight and focused on his vocals and not much of the surrounding space. The KSM9 was the answer to that, and gave us a very detailed sound, with great rejection of ambient sound
Über KSM8:
The KSM8 is exciting. It is far and away the most neutral-sounding handheld dynamic mic that I've personally heard. Spill that was once 'fizzy' or 'shrill' in microphones we'd tried previously became more like added ambience in the IEMs. I can't wait to try it out on a stand with a singing guitar player, where I think it could really shine.
Über KSM9HS:
The KSM9HS has been nothing short of a revelation on John's voice. Tight and controlled with almost zero handling noise, but still with all of the detail and space that you would expect from a quality condenser. Truly a game-changer!
John Grant's Monitor Engineer about the Beta 181
John Grant's Monitor Engineer about the Beta 181
Über BETA 181:
I was also especially impressed with the Beta 181. The small form factor coupled with the interchangeable capsules led us to some really interesting places with our snare mic'ing when trying to deal with the issue of spill from some very loud hi-hats without having to resort to dynamics processing