Coby Grant - Solid Ground (2018) [Hi-Res]

In late 2016, I sang at a couple's wedding. It was one of the most beautiful weddings, simply because I could feel the love in the room - between the couple, their friends, their families. Sometimes there is just magic. The glowing bride was also pregnant. In December of that year, I received a message from the father of the groom (who is the one who originally found me and asked me to sing at the wedding), to let me know that their child, his grandson, was stillborn. Also to let me know that my own music was providing a comforting soundtrack during this difficult and heartbreaking time.

As a huge lover of music, he told me that he wanted to write a song for his Grandson, to give to his son and daughter in law, to capture the love they all felt for this child and to honour his memory. He asked me if I could help him write this song. With a heavy heart, I of course said yes.

Over the next few months, the Grandpa sent me pages of thoughts, poetry, words and feelings. I was inspired by those words. I also drew inspiration from my own friends who have lost children, whether that be from SIDS, stillbirth, or even later in life in other tragic circumstances. Anyway, we really wrote this song together.

It was then produced and recorded in Holland, with my long time friend and collaborator Jack van de Ven. The musicians who performed on my previous album worked their magic and made the song what it is. I recorded my vocals in Australia, so it was very much an international project. The Grandpa also asked Jack and I to perform and record a second song, Here For You, written by a close family friend, Anneke Roobol, which is also part of this release.

The songs were then packaged together into a Winterbear album that the Grandpa gave to his son and daughter in law. As you can imagine, it was quite overwhelming for them. They were and are extremely touched and grateful for the incredible gift he gave. When I was last in Holland, I performed the song live for the family in an intimate house concert. It was, by a long shot, the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but also the most beautiful and moving moment I have ever had the honour to be apart of. They told me that they listen to Winterbear every day and that it brings them peace and comfort.

The song was only meant to be for them, but as time went on, it became bigger than that and we decided to film this video and release the song into the world. We all hope that it will touch other people who have lost their children. That it might bring a small amount of hope or peace in the face of this kind of loss.

I'm really proud of myself and of the entire team behind this project. For me, music was always about human connection. The ability to touch people, to bring them together through joy, love, heartache, forgiveness or pain. Music is the language we all understand and I feel very lucky to have it as such a huge part of my life.

Coby Grant, vocals
Jack van de Ven, piano
Marco Dirne, bass
Clemens Blacquire, guitars
Lean Robbemont, drums

Recorded at Sci Sonic in Melbourne, Real Music Room, Rotterdam; Audioworkx in Hoogeloon
Engineered by Paul van de Geijn
Produced by Jack van de Ven, Coby Grant and "Grandpa"