Rich Howells

VIDEO PREMIERE: Grant Williams debuts solo bass project by taking ‘A Single Step’

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In the music business, the biggest emphasis always seems to be on singers and guitarists, but Grant Williams is proving that bassists deserve the spotlight as well.

The 27-year-old Scranton native has been playing bass for about nine years, most famously in local grunge rock band Graces Downfall, and he started composing his own solo work on and off over the past three years. On April 14, Williams performed a few of his original songs at NEPA Scene’s Got Talent, our free open mic and talent competition, and won the audience vote that week, automatically entering him into the Finals Showcase on June 23 at Thirst T’s Bar & Grill in Olyphant.

“When my departure from Graces Downfall was announced, I knew I had to find a new outlet. I wanted to create something I was truly proud of. Every musician, artist, person has something to say. I can’t sing, so I had to find a way to say something without vocals or lyrics,” Williams told NEPA Scene.

Entering Side B Studios in Wapwallopen in late May, he recorded “A Single Step” with studio owner and drummer Tom Godin and an accompanying video with photographer Jesse Faatz, premiering exclusively on nepascene.com.

“‘Every journey begins with a single step.’ Our shoot location, Side B Studios, is where I started becoming a serious musician. When listening to the recording in the studio, it was the first time I was hit with a true confidence about this project’s potential. The song is an acknowledgement of the start of a new part of your life, and having the belief in yourself to take the first step forward into it,” he explained.

“I’ve done a lot of work in Side B Studios, and Tom Godin has given me considerable support and feedback throughout my career. He swung his doors wide open when he heard about this project. With the meaning of the song established in my head, it made perfect sense to shoot there with him. Set up and shooting took a few hours.

“I want to thank Tom Godin and Jesse Faatz for their time and talents that helped make this a reality. I’d encourage you to check out both of them.”

Now Williams is working on a seven-song EP, though that is subject to change. He also plans on releasing each song individually with a video representing its meaning.

The video for “A Single Step” is launching in conjunction with his new Facebook and ReverbNation pages, so keep up to date on all future shows, songs, and videos by following him there.

Learn more about Williams in this NEPA Scene’s Got Talent spotlight, and see him perform live in the Finals Showcase tomorrow night.

Photo by Tom Bonomo/Eyedesignstudios