A swaggering retro-rock four-piece from Halifax, Grow came together at the end of 2023. They have since played all over Calderdale, including The Trades Club twice – one of which was supporting indie-dance icons The Soup Dragons.
Recently, they have secured bookings further afield in renowned independent venues in both Leeds and Manchester. And with a debut EP scheduled for release in 2025, Grow are set to become the first band to work with brand new local label, Grayston Unity Records.
Comprised of Jack Wilson, 19 (bass & vocals), Harry Shackleton, 21 (keys), Isaac Brierley, 23 (drums) and Luke Bradley, 24 (guitar), Grow initially developed their 70s groove through a slightly different channel – local jam nights.
‘Amazing Chaos’
Jack: “There’s a few on around the Valley. There’s a big difference between a jam night and an open mic. It’s just complete chaos, but amazing chaos. There’s so many people who come down, people who aren’t that confident to play in front of a crowd, but they’ll have a go. It makes it special.”
Harry: “We’ve always had that groove. It’s all about that feel, the energy. There’s a 70s influence, but it’s got a modern twist on it as well.”
It’s fitting that the band have honed their skills in such a collective, freeform environment. The current crop of emerging bands in Calderdale are inter-linked in many ways – to the area and to one another.
Making Connections
Jack: “The drummer from The Caymans, Toby, is one of my best mates. Me, him, and Tom, the lead singer from The Incident were in a band called The Afterlife. That was 2019. I was still at high school in year nine. We all started off together, learning how to write songs.”
Harry: “The Calder Valley is very creative. And coming out of lockdown, we’ve got all these new bands emerging who have learnt to play instruments because they’ve had nothing else to do. If we’re playing, we’ll see The Incident there at our gigs. And we’ll go and see them play. We all want to come up with each other, which is really positive.”
The band’s first gig proper was, inevitably, at The Grayston.
Harry: “Michael referred to it as the best debut gig he’s seen.”
Michael [Ainsworth], the owner of the venue, has become a big admirer of the band. Grow have played there several times during 2024 and Harry runs a monthly ‘Ship Ahoy’ piano session in the venue’s main bar area.
The relationship became closer still when Michael, having heard the band’s four-song EP fresh out of the studio, decided to set up Grayston Unity Records and help the lads get their debut released to the wider world.
Supporting Cast
Grow are quick to highlight the help they’ve had to date.
Harry: “Michael, of course. And Phil Wilson. Jack’s dad. He’s a hell of a man. He’s been in many bands before and he knows what he’s doing. He directs us. I mean, he’s not a manager, but he’ll come to all the gigs and we know that he’s correct, so we just listen. Tom Townsend as well. He’s helped us with sound and helped set up our EP fundraiser and with our strategy for promoting. Tom’s been so good to us.”
Follow Grow on Instagram for updates on future releases and the latest gig news.
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The quotes from this article also appear in A Beginner’s Guide To Grassroots Music in Calderdale. Keep an eye out for a copy in venues, pubs and community spaces throughout the borough. You can also read the magazine online or download it. The publication is part of CultureDale’s Youth Music Takeover initiative.
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