Grouplove
Mar 24, 2021
Grouplove released their newest single "Deadline" on March 10th. They also made a surprise announcement that their fifth album, This Is This, would be released two days later via Atlantic Records. "Deadline" arrived with an Isaac Deitz directed official video. Produced by Grouplove and collaborator Ricardo Acasuso – with additional songs produced by Dave Sitek (YEAH YEAH YEAHS) and Malay (Frank Ocean), This Is This, following last year’s GRAMMY-nominated Healer, was written and recorded during the global pandemic, fueled by all the upheaval and hardship of the past year. Having been based in Los Angeles for the past decade, Grouplove co-founders Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi relocated to Atlanta in late 2020, joining bassist Daniel Gleason. Along with guitarist Andrew Wessen and drummer Ben Homola, the band worked quickly, tracking the entire album in just a week at a local studio. The sessions proved both cathartic and powerfully creative for Grouplove, the sound of five friends finally letting go of all the anxiety, sadness, and frustration they’ve had to endure.
“We hope this album gives people the permission to fucking scream or headbang or punch walls,” said Grouplove, who relocated from L.A. to Atlanta in late 2020. “It's important to stay emotional. The whole rainbow is important. If we just live in the light blues, are we really alive? I'm not. I need to feel it all.”
Grouplove was formed in 2009 by Hannah Hooper (vocals, keyboards), Christian Zucconi (vocals, guitar), Daniel Gleason (bass), Andrew Wessen (guitar, vocals), and Benjamin Homola (drums). They are known for their single "Tongue Tied" which was on their debut album, Never Trust a Happy Song. The five-piece group have so far released five studio albums and two EPs.
Despite having to reimagine their album release plans, and cancel their certified climate positive tour, Grouplove remained active throughout 2020, following Healer with a number of exclusive releases including a new version of Tom Petty’s classic “Wildflowers” and the stand-alone single, “Broken Angel.” Written by Grouplove and produced by Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado (The Flaming Lips), the track was originally released as a 12” picture disc for Record Store Day 2020 backed by “Trip On Me.” Proceeds from “Broken Angel” benefit The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Mac Miller Fund. Created to carry on Miller’s artistic and creative legacy, The Mac Miller Fund supports programming, resources and opportunities to youth from underserved communities, helping them recognize their full potential through exploration in the arts and community building.
On March 11th, Grouplove celebrated the new album release with the launch of a brand new livestream concert series, called This is This Moment, on the premium digital live platform Moment House. Monthly live performances (every second Thursday of the month) will contain unreleased music, fan favorite deep cuts, cover songs, and Q&A sessions.