Mick Grøndahl


Michael Christian Grøndahl is a Danish-American bass guitarist. He is widely known for playing bass guitar and composing on Jeff Buckley's debut album, Grace.

Early life

Grøndahl was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 7, 1968. At a young age, Grøndahl moved to and was raised in Manhattan, New York with his mother and grandmother, Vava. Grøndahl attended Skidmore College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art History and English. He then moved to New York City where he played with several bands. He met Jeff Buckley after seeing him perform at Columbia University's Postcrypt Cafe.

Career

Grøndahl began playing in local bands, playing the local bar scene on Saratoga's Broadway strip. Grøndahl began jamming with Jeff Buckley in Spring of 1993, and he soon joined forces with Buckley. Grøndahl became an integral part of Buckley's live sound, and wrote the songs, "Dream Brother", "Vancouver", "Tongue" and "Edna Frau" which Buckley would sing. Before and after Buckley's death, he played in several bands including Elysian Fields, Beth Orton and the Greenlandic singer Angu. Grøndahl also briefly worked with American songwriter Elliott Smith during recording for Smith’s album XO, however did not contribute studio work due to mourning Jeff Buckley’s passing. As of 2020 he is living in Denmark with his daughter, recording and performing with his group.

Musicianship and equipment

Interviews with Jeff Buckley reveal that he believed “Many bassists could run circles around in terms of technique”, but nobody came close to the feeling of his playing in relationship to Buckley’s own style. Grøndahl is known for playing an olympic white 1966 Fender Jazz Bass with a tortoiseshell pick guard and the instrument Grøndahl borrowed from Buckley to jam at their first session. Grøndahl also toured with a black Jazz Bass as a backup on the Mystery White Boy tour. Grøndahl played through a Mesa/Boogie 400+ bass amp paired with a Mesa/Boogie RoadReady powerhouse cabinet.

Discography

With Jeff Buckley

As Mick Grondahl

  • Memphis Twilight