Interview: Denver Folk-Hop Duo Grim & Darling Gets Deep on Their Passion for Music, Denver Role Models, and Joining Sonder Music Management
It is never lost on me what a special thing it is that I get to do working in music management and artist representation in Colorado’s music scene. It it so exciting to me to get to connect with artists, watch them mystified at what they do, and get their content in front of the right people at the right times. When I’m ready to take on a new client, I like to listen to what the universe is telling me. I just need to feel that magical thing to know it’s right. Well, as soon as Jordan and Jessa reached out to me about their folk-hop project, Grim & Darling, I had that feeling full-force. I am so beyond excited to announce that they are coming on as the newest client of Sonder Music Management! I wanted to begin this new relationship by introducing the incredible people behind the music - Jordan Polovina and Jessa Love. They gave such thoughtful and insightful answers to my questions, and I absolutely loved learning about them! Please enjoy their interview:
I am so excited to have Grim & Darling on board with Sonder Music Management! Let’s start with introductions:
Jessa, can you tell me about yourself?
Jessa: I just turned 40. I still can't stop talking about it because it feels so surreal. Like, impossible actually, because I'm still 29, and always will be. I have 3 teenagers. I was a young mom and now my babies are adults and it feels so weird. I waited all these years to have them grown up and now that they are, I want them to be babies again. My oldest is 19 and in college and life just feels like one of those MC Escher paintings because I can't tell which way is up anymore. Being a mom is the most important part of who I am, and what makes me...me. Music, and motherhood give me identity, and purpose. I got married last year, and now, that gives me something new...the safety I have wanted all my life. To be loved is such a freedom. That has become a new part of my identity and purpose also. Music is the way I can talk about who I am and what I feel about these sacred things.
When did you begin playing music? When did you know that music is your calling?
Jessa: My parents were both musicians. I grew up in church watching them be the local church celebrities. They recorded an album when I was 7 that I also sang on. My older sister then went on to excel as a singer and songwriter in the Christian music scene in and out of college. Although I sang in choir in school, I lacked the confidence to believe that I could sing my songs in front of anyone. I started playing guitar and writing songs in 8th grade. Despite the fact that my entire family are musicians, no one sat down to teach me so I am entirely self taught. I have no contact with my family, so they have never seen me sing on stage. I wanted it to be my calling, but never actually believed that it was until recently. I simply don't know who I am without music. It's just so woven into who I am, it feels less like a calling, and more like an extension of self.
Jordan, can you tell me about yourself?
Jordan: We are really pumped to be working with you as well! I’m big, kinda loud, and really passionate about music. I love my family and friends and I would do anything for them. I’ve been a member of the Colorado music scene for many years and I love my life here.
When did you begin playing music? When did you know that music is your calling?
Jordan: I started with music very young. My mother was married to a drummer in a heavy metal band who would go on to get his doctorate degree in music theory. I learned a lot from him and was given student opportunities through the university he worked at in Pennsylvania (IUP). That’s when I started learning to play the cello; I was 13 or 14 at that point. My grandmother had an organ at her house, and I remember running to it first thing when I got there. I feel like music has been a part of me most of my life.
How did the two of you meet and decide to create a project together?
Jessa: This is still one of my favorite stories. I began playing open mics and posting clumsy videos onto YouTube in 2011 (living in North Carolina). Soon thereafter, I saw a cello-playing beatboxer on TV and thought, "That's it". I began my three year search for this magical unicorn. I moved back to Colorado in late 2013 and posted on facebook asking if anyone knew such a creature. A mutual friend, Jessica Jones ( a beast in the music scene..look her up if you haven't heard her powerhouse voice), connected me to Jordan via that post. A few nights later, I drove to Boulder and met this gigantic bank robber sitting in the dark, in all black, with his hood up over his head. I'm not lying when I said I went through the mental checklist all females go through when they think they may be in danger. Turns out, he was waiting to be let in. It was his band mate’s house and he wasn't home yet. He said "Don't be scared, I'm not as scary as I look" or something like that, and soon I found out he was a gentle giant and literally my opposite, but that night we got out our instruments and played together, and we both felt that very unique feeling that happens when something big shifts in the universe. He agreed to play with me, and very soon we played our first set at the Deer Pile in Denver. At that time it was all my acoustic material with his accompaniment, but it wasn't long before he infected the process and it became a completely collaborative experiment.
The name “Grim & Darling” truly represents you guys. How did you land on this name and what does it mean to you?
Jessa: So we had played a show or two and were clear that we were a band, but had no name. I went to his house one afternoon with the intention of coming up with a name. It was frustrating. For hours we disagreed and played around with names; We even had members of his other two bands there giving suggestions..but nothing stuck. Jordan then said, "Set a timer for 45 minutes - we have to choose one in the next 45 minutes no matter what.” So we did. I began searching through poetry, and Walt Whitman came to mind because a co-worker at the time had just gifted me a collection of his poems. I was reading word pairings out loud quickly and made the clumsy mistake of saying, "grim and darling" ....and we both stopped and looked at each other. We felt that electricity...but then I looked again and it said "Grim and Daring"...the name of a ship. We talked about it and decided to go with the mistake. It just felt right.
It was never intended to be a replacement for our names, or to represent us as people (in the beginning). We liked how it represented the juxtaposition of our music and personalities. The light and the dark, the hope and the hopelessness, etc. But over time, people started to call Jordan, Grim, and me, Darling..and that's been ok with me.
What inspires you to make the music that you do as Grim & Darling?
Jessa: We didn't want to write love songs or breakup songs (though we have). We mostly wanted to talk about life..and fucking up, and making it right. Growing, healing, changing. As people, we both have big hearts, and bad habits. We have hurt people, and even each other. We both try so hard, and mess up so often, and we write a lot about that. I feel like most of our songs are our pleadings with the universe and the people we love to see the humanity in us, and also everyone else. We talk about forgiveness, and the bigger picture. We do it clumsily but honestly. We may not be as poigniant as we try to be, but our hearts are spilled all over every single note of every single song. We used to fight, often, in the studio. Now after all these years and all that we have been through, we laugh at how easily we are able to write together, and to be honest. It's a huge gift. But our mission is always the same...tell the truth, and get people to open their eyes and choose love. Choose forgiveness, and choose to be better, do better. It sounds like a lofty mission statement for music that may not sound that deep, but I can promise you that this is the heart space that all the music comes from.
Jordan: I am most inspired by the world around me, personal events, and also the music as it’s created - creating a new production or just some chords or cello with guitar and then letting the words make their way into music.
What have you accomplished as a band in 2020 that you’re most proud of?
Jessa: Our albumThree. We had taken a two year break before this. In fact, we ended the band. Well, we tried to - it didn't stick. After about a year, Jordan started calling me up on stage at his weekly gig and we started creating together again. When Covid shut down the world, we had no choice but to record and keep writing. In the two years since Grim & Darling played its last show together (sold out opener for Pharcyde at Ophelia's, Denver, 2017) Jordan had been a solo artist, doing very well, and I had formed another band called Minor that was putting out music and playing shows and doing pretty well also. But time is a funny thing, and it brought G&D back to the surface at the same time other projects moved to the back on their own. The fact that we came full circle and came back to the music and the band with a stronger friendship than ever meant a lot, and so does the album that resulted from it.
You just released an incredible new album - Three. Can you tell me about this album? Are there any songs on the album that are especially meaningful to you?
Jordan:Catamaran means a lot to me. It’s one of the first things I’ve ever done that came out exactly right. I had a vision for the video and it all just worked. This song instilled confidence and pride in me as a producer. I’m always learning, but I was really happy with that one.
Jessa: Speaking of the album....haha. For me, Still Friends is the one that makes me cry. It's so honest. It is also our declaration to the fans and friends that were there for the bumpy ride.."Hey, we love you; Thank you for sticking with us." After 7 years of dodging questions about the nature of our relationship, it's the first time that we've addressed it musically and that honesty feels so good. Especially with the laughter in the song. We are great friends. And that is all that matters.
Are you both originally from Colorado? How does living in Colorado influence your music?
Jordan: I’m Originally from Pennsylvania. I moved to CO as a teen and this place absolutely changed me! My music would be very different if I hadn’t moved here.
Jessa: I was born in Ohio, moved around a LOT as a kid and landed in CO when I was 11. Since adulthood, I've moved away and back many times, but this time I've been back since 2013. Living here has brought the electronic element to our music, I think. Colorado has such a HUGE and thriving electronic scene, and that's the scene that, for whatever reason, embraced Grim & Darling from the very beginning. We have roots within it. If not in Colorado, I assume that G&D would have nurtured with a more bluegrass, americana, or folk vibe.
What’s your favorite thing about the Colorado music scene?
Jordan: I love the sense of community, my favorite people are the ones behind the scenes. Security, lighting, sound staff, bar tenders, Ect… those are my people, they keep me going.
Jessa: For me, it has felt like family. It has also been amazing to watch people rise around us. I'm so proud to see people I've shared a stage with move on to way bigger venues, and see their careers bloom. Am I a little jealous? Yup. But I have always known that G&D is a hard act to sell, and that we may never find our niche demographic. We are an odd mix of things that makes it hard for us to find our audience. But when we do, man, are they loyal, and that means SO MUCH to us. We have built solid relationships in this state with fans, venues, and peers, and wherever we go, we feel welcome. We've been so fortunate to tour the state and have made wonderful memories and relationships all over the place. Colorado has been a great place for me to grow as a musician and be surrounded by amazing talent everywhere I go. I have felt like the weak link on so many stages next to so many top-tier artists, and have always been humbled at the warm embrace of the music scene towards me.
If there’s one thing you want people to take away from your music, what is it?
Jordan: I want them to feel something, anything. This music has always been so cathartic for me, I hope it can help others that way too.
Jessa: I want them to feel understood, and seen. I want them to feel more human and more compassionate. I want their walls to be down when they finish listening.
We’ve talked a lot lately about how you feel more locked in than ever when it comes to your music. Is there something tangible that inspired this feeling?
Jordan: I just feel ready, I’m in a place where I’m confident about the music we have to offer and I’m in a place to give it the effort it deserves.
Jessa: I think it's just that when we got back in the studio to record this album, something had changed. To be completely honest, Jordan said some really kind things to me. He told me that he respected my vision and my ear, and that I had good ideas that he may not have respected in the past. He gave me a seat at the table in the production and editing phases and we began to hit a stride in working together. We disagree on things A LOT and in the past feelings were hurt, or ideas were compromised to save an argument. This album is something that we really did together. Did we disagree about some things? Oh Yeah. We both had to compromise some big things and some little things, but I felt more heard and valued in the process this time and it made such a huge difference. I've had a hard time finding my voice in the industry, feeling disregarded because I'm female, and being called "hard to work with" because I have a clear vision and speak up for my ideas. Making this album with Jordan meant a lot to me because it was one of the first times I've felt respected and valued as an artist.
Who are your musical role models? Do you look up to any local or non-local musicians? Why?
Jordan: Bonobo, Danny Elfman, Sage Francis - Just a few of my heroes. I look up to so many musicians. there is so much talent local and non-local in this industry that it keeps me working hard to create something innovative.
Jessa: My musical role models include Ani DiFranco because of her career choices and activism, Sam Goodman because of his insane talent and for giving me my first seat at the table, Anderson Paak because he made music feel new again, The Reminders for their hearts, activism, friendship, mentorship, and the example they set as a family, as a married couple, and as artists. There are so many artists that I love and respect. Too many locals to list. People that we've played with that I feel fortunate to list: Eldren, Maddy O'neal, Mikey Thunder,Caravan Palace, Savoy, Michal Menert, The Reminders, RDGLDGRN, Chali 2na, Jurassic 5, The Pharcyde, Whiskey Blanket, and so many that I'm sure I'm forgetting.
What is something you have learned or taken away from 2020 that you’ll apply to the rest of your lives?
Jordan: I’m proud that we’ve released some music videos and a new EP, all in house. It feels good to have control of our vision and we have made huge strides in our writing process. I will never take a stage for granted again!
Jessa: Personally, 2020 has been one of the hardest and most challenging years of my life. Losing music and my job and not being able to be busy and productive in the way that helps my anxiety and mental health has been really hard. I've struggled with my mental health a lot this year. I've also changed the direction I was pointed because I had time to reflect and redirect. I have learned the true value of things, and to let go more easily of the things that matter far less that I thought they did. I got back in touch with some things about myself that I had left behind and forgotten - parts that have value. I quit drinking this year and am proud of that. I prioritize my mental health over my physical health which I've never done. I've masked a lot of mental issues with working out. This time, I rested and faced some hard things - things that I will likely be writing about in the next year. I will carry this year with me always. For all of its hardships and gifts. For all of it's pain and growth. This year was the lesson and pause that I would never have asked for and very much needed. I will never again take for granted being on stage and connect with so many people at once. What a gift.
What is your favorite part of live performance?
Jordan: The energy, everybody connecting, and the zone. Nothing else exists in that moment.
Jessa: Watching people sing along. I can't describe that feeling. Those are my words, and sometimes people sing along as though they FEEL them as much as I do. I thought that only happened to famous people, but hearing people sing your words back to you is the most powerful and indescribable feeling in the world. I also love the immediacy of the moment when you're on stage. It's all that exists. It's all consuming. It's heaven, even when it's terrifying.
What is something about live shows that you never thought you’d miss until it went away due to Covid-19?
Jordan: The sweat dripping from the ceiling at Cervantes, trying to get through the crowd of wall to wall people. NEVER thought I’d miss that.
Jessa: The connection. The sweating. The cords under my feet. The lights in my eyes. The smoke machines ruining my hair. The adrenaline.
If you could give a piece of advice to musicians just starting out, what would it be?
Jordan: Buckle up, it’s gonna be a long ride. Make music for yourself first, don’t conform to what’s cool. Be original.
Jessa: I still feel like I'm just starting out myself. Most of it still feels new. I remind myself often that it's not that new -that I've sound checked hundreds of times before, that I've writtens songs and can do it again, that I've survived stage fright hundreds of times and will live through the next scary show. My advice now would be never to take those moments for granted. Those shows that make you feel so high....hold onto that feeling. We are all always searching for the next high, the next show, the next stage....but when it stops, all you think about are all the shows that you failed to appreciate and all the times you took it for granted - that miracle, that absolute gift of being on stage. Not everyone gets to do that, and we should all remember to be so grateful every time we are gifted that opportunity by the universe. I was always grateful, but my insecurity robbed me of the enjoyment of the moment. That's something I will never let happen again. Ever.
What’s your favorite show that you’ve ever played? Why was it so special to you?
Jordan: Last year we played the Ogden with our buddy Mikey Thunder opening for Caravan Palace. It was one of the best crowds we’ve ever had. It let me know we are on the right track. Also our first album release at Cervantes, we solidified as a band after that.
Jessa: For some reason, I tend to look back on our show at SXSW on the last night of the Colorado Music Showcase as a favorite. It was the first time that I really got lost in the love of it, and it felt really special. I can still see it all in my mind. We were far away from home, in a sweaty hot venue, and people were singing along with us. It was surreal for me. It was one of the first and only times that I felt that I didn't feel like an imposter on stage. Side story, we had been busking that week too, and had to cart everything around with us. As we were on stage, all of our equipment was stolen, along with Jordan's laptop that had dozens of songs we had been working on. It was so devastating but still didn't dim the feeling of that experience.
If you could play your dream show, what would it look like?
Jordan: Mid size room, almost sold out, Grim&Darling headlines, crazy production. Visual effects done perfectly with the music, dancers, full band at the end.
Jessa: Red Rocks. I don't even need it to be a Grim & Darling headliner. I just need to stand there again, and sing my songs. The one chance I got to stand there in front of 8,000 people, I bombed. Don't get me wrong, I don't even care, I still got to do something that very few people can say they've done...but I walked off that stage and said...."this needs to happen again. That can't be it." We manifested that opportunity 9 months before. We had been invited to watch DeVotchKa from FOH as a guest of our friend, and their sound engineer, Jay Anderson (he's a legend). After it got dark, we walked through the underground halls, dreaming, talking...and made our way backstage. We slid slowly out against the rocks until we were right behind the band and I said to Jordan, "Look, look at the view, this view...THEIR view. Manifest this right now. Within ONE YEAR we will be standing where they are standing, and seeing this view again." We held hands and closed our eyes and asked the universe. A few months later Jordan got the call from Michal Menert to be a part of the Big Band show at Red Rocks, "Oh, and is Jessa available? Ask her too." I was sitting right there while he was on the call. I was nodding hard. HARD YES.
So, what I'm hoping is that lightning will strike twice for us. I have gone there many times since and stood on stage, on the place I stood that night I got to play there, and asked the universe, eyes closed, for just one more chance.
What’s your favorite song to play? Original or cover.
Jordan: An unreleased song from my solo live set called Get Dough. It’s so fun to play on the MPC; I’ll probably be bringing it to future G&D performances
Jessa: Jordan and I actually have never played a cover. Wait, we used to play my reimagined version of Lose Yourself by Eminem, but we haven't in a long time. My favorite song to perform is probably 9 Lives, which isn't even a G&D song, it's off one of Jordan's solo albums, but we started singing it together and I love it. I feel like I sing it well and it feels more energetic than a lot of our other songs. Truth be told, I stress about our music a lot. I want to get it right. The most fun I ever have is when we freestyle. He plays a beat, I think of something to sing over it, on the spot. We did that a lot over the year we weren't playing G&D shows at all, and it helped me more than anything ever has to get over stage fright. (I still have stage fright though).
Who are some of your favorite local Colorado musicians and bands?
Jordan: Chris Karns, Eoto, Mikey Thunder, Tnertle, Break Science, Maddy O’Neal, Eldren, Kid Astronaut, just to name a few. There are so so many more.
Where can fans catch you in the coming months?
Jordan: Keep on my pages: I’ll be posting some live streams and hoping for a concert season next year!
Jessa: I actually have no idea. We had a few shows that got delayed, and then more delayed, and then cancelled due to Covid, so I just don't know what's coming next. I hope for packed venues but I feel like that's a long way off. Until then, we will put out content, and try to connect with fans any way that we (safely) can.
Tell me a little about your merch - it always flies off the shelves! Where do you find inspiration for your merchandise designs?
Jordan: Jessa is nice with the branding, also we have talented artist friends who let us use their stuff.
Jessa: I have a little background in marketing and design, but was never great at it. I designed as much as I could for our merch out of necessity and as fast as I could. I don't think anyone has purchased it as a fashion statement, but more as a memento of a time they found special, which is so touching to me. In the future I hope to give fans better merch to wear, and look at. I LOVE fashion so I'd like my merch to reflect my personality in that way. I look forward to working with local artists in the near future to get our best merch yet!
What’s a great local Colorado business for people to support this holiday season?
Jordan: Albums on the Hill in Boulder!!! Andy owns one of the last record stores around - please go support! He has done so much for us over the years and he still plays our music in the store. Love you Andy!!
Jessa: I have a friend selling art prints of her amazing pointillism, so check out Amber's Etsy store A Million Little Dots! Sustainable, minimalist fashion is another art form close to my heart. My friend Mećla is making drool-worthy pieces right now so go shop her store - www.shopmecla.com - or find her designs at Matriarch Mercantile in Denver. For nail polish needs, go find geekishglitterlaquer.com. Lexi gets her inspiration from the coolest places and has a box set “Polished Gamers” available from Dec 15th-20th ONLY! She is also re-stocking her Sugar Scrub Soaps in yummy holiday scents! If you like Voodoo Dolls and handmade jewelry head to voodoodollsagogo.com and see the beautiful things Amber makes!!!! I love all my small business friends XOXO.
About Grim & Darling:
Grim & Darling is a Denver-based duo made up of Jessa Love and Jordan Polovina. Although the band had taken a break two years ago, the artists have come back together with an even stronger bond. Grim & Darling has gained recognition for uniquely fusing hip-hop sounds with folksy music and electronic R&B beats. The two artists had been busy with other musical projects until Covid-19 happened – Jessa’s other band, Minor, has taken a break and Jordan’s weekly live music events are paused indefinitely. Grim & Darling is an outlet for Jessa and Jordan to write, create, connect, and heal through their music.