# Grasscut

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English musical group

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**Grasscut** are a musical group featuring composer/producer Andrew Phillips and musician/writer [Marcus O'Dair](/source/Marcus_O'Dair). Phillips writes and produces all Grasscut music; he also sings and plays various instruments including guitar and keyboards. O'Dair manages the act and contributes keyboards and double bass. They are based in [Brighton](/source/Brighton), England.

Grasscut (2009)

## History

Grasscut have released two albums on [Ninja Tune](/source/Ninja_Tune), *1 inch: 1/2 Mile* (2010)[1] and *Unearth* (2012).[2] Their third album, *Everyone Was a Bird*, was released by [Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings) in 2015. Contributors to Grasscut's albums include [Robert Wyatt](/source/Robert_Wyatt), [John Surman](/source/John_Surman), [Adrian Crowley](/source/Adrian_Crowley), [Gazelle Twin](/source/Gazelle_Twin), [Seb Rochford](/source/Seb_Rochford), [Oddfellows Casino](/source/Oddfellows_Casino), and Elisabeth Nygård. Grasscut have remixed artists including [Bonobo](/source/Bonobo_(musician)), [Coldcut](/source/Coldcut) [Jaga Jazzist](/source/Jaga_Jazzist), [Leo Abrahams](/source/Leo_Abrahams), and [John Metcalfe](/source/John_Metcalfe_(composer)); in turn, they have been remixed by [Bibio](/source/Bibio) [Nathan Fake](/source/Nathan_Fake) and [Penguin Cafe](/source/Penguin_Cafe).

### 1 Inch: ½ Mile

Following the release of *1 Inch: ½ Mile*, [Clash magazine](/source/Clash_magazine) described Grasscut as *"genuinely daring electronica artists"*,[3] with the album appearing as [Mojo magazine](/source/Mojo_magazine)’s electronica album of the month, one of [iDJ](/source/IDJ)’s debut albums of the year and one of the top ten pop albums of the year according to the [Sunday Telegraph](/source/Sunday_Telegraph). Speaking to the Quietus website, [Tom Robinson](/source/Tom_Robinson) of [BBC 6 Music](/source/BBC_6_Music) named it one of his top 13 albums of all time[4]

### Unearth

According to Andy Gill of *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*, Grasscut's second album, *Unearth*, should have been on the Mercury list.[5] Both records won 5-star reviews from *[the Telegraph](/source/The_Telegraph_(UK))*; support has also come from the *[Sunday Times](/source/Sunday_Times)*, *[Word](/source/Word_Magazine)*, *[Uncut](/source/Uncut_(magazine))*, *[Time Out](/source/Time_Out_(magazine))*, *[Q](/source/Q_(magazine))* and *[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))*. They have had airplay from [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1), 2, 3, [BBC Radio 5 Live](/source/BBC_Radio_5_Live) and [BBC Radio 6 Music](/source/BBC_Radio_6_Music), and have played sessions on 6Music and [XFM](/source/XFM).

### Everyone Was a Bird

In May 2015 Grasscut released their third studio album titled *Everyone Was a Bird*.[6] The album has been described by [Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine)) as "an engrossing, artful work",[7] and by [The Quietus](/source/The_Quietus) as "that rare slab of post-rock that uses the genre's textures and general ethos of exploration to create new sounds instead of rehashing old ones".[8] The album features guest vocals from [Adrian Crowley](/source/Adrian_Crowley) and [Seamus Fogarty](/source/Seamus_Fogarty) and strings by Emma Smith and Vince Sipprell. The liner notes were written by acclaimed landscape writer [Robert Macfarlane](/source/Robert_Macfarlane_(writer)) and were premiered on the website Caught by the River in April 2015.[9]

### Everyone Was a Bird - Remixed

In March 2016, online magazine [The Quietus](/source/The_Quietus) announced Grasscut's fourth album was to be a remix album.[10] The album includes remixes from artists including Mira Calix, John Metcalfe, Leo Abrahams and [Penguin Cafe](/source/Penguin_Cafe), and was released on [Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings) in the UK and Sounds et al. in the US.

## Live show

Since opening the main stage at the [Big Chill festival](/source/Big_Chill_Festival) in 2009,[11] Grasscut have performed at [Cecil Sharp House](/source/Cecil_Sharp_House), [Union Chapel](/source/Union_Chapel%2C_Islington), the [ICA](/source/ICA%2C_London),[12] [Koko](/source/Koko_(venue)) and [Tate Britain](/source/Tate_Britain),[13] as well as in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland and Slovakia. They have shared stages with the likes of [Kronos Quartet](/source/Kronos_Quartet), [Silver Apples](/source/Silver_Apples), [Caribou](/source/Caribou_(musician)), [Fink](/source/Fink_(singer)) and [Bonobo](/source/Bonobo_(musician)). Although they performed early shows as a duo, Grasscut have usually been joined onstage by drummer Aram Zarikian (Andreya Triana) and string player Emma Smith (Geese, Elysian Quartet, [Jon Hopkins](/source/Jon_Hopkins), [James Yorkston](/source/James_Yorkston), [Imogen Heap](/source/Imogen_Heap), [Hot Chip](/source/Hot_Chip)). They are also known for their use of visuals, originally developed with As Described ([Portishead](/source/Portishead_(band)), [Cinematic Orchestra](/source/Cinematic_Orchestra)).

## Link to landscape

Grasscut are known for their landscape-based concepts, usually emerging in collaboration with Pedr Browne (also responsible for the Grasscut artwork). 1 Inch: ½ Mile came with a map detailing a walk through the ‘lost’ village of [Balsdean](/source/Balsdean), just outside [Brighton](/source/Brighton). An audio clue, contained within a downloadable track, provided details of the location of a hidden artefact: a unique recording on a cassette.[14] This idea was extended on Grasscut's second album, Unearth.[15] Each track was reimagined by Phillips, and these ‘shadow’ versions – again on cassette – were secreted, each with a Walkman, in specific locations around England and Wales.

## Use in media

Grasscut's music has been used on the soundtracks of [The New Pope](/source/The_New_Pope)*,* [Waterloo Road](/source/Waterloo_Road_(TV_series)), and [Continuum](/source/Continuum_(TV_series)).[16][17][18] Their music has also been used by [BBC](/source/BBC), [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4), and in major advertising campaigns worldwide.[19]

Grasscut's hit single "The Lights - M25 Version" was featured in K-Mart's annual Christmas commercials and advertising during the 2012 holiday shopping season.

## Discography

### Albums

- 1 Inch: 1/2 Mile ([Ninja Tune](/source/Ninja_Tune), 2010)

- Unearth ([Ninja Tune](/source/Ninja_Tune), 2012)

- Unearth Shadow Version ([Ninja Tune](/source/Ninja_Tune), 2012)

- Everyone Was A Bird ([Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings), 2015)

- Everyone Was A Bird - Remixed ([Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings)/Sounds et al., 2016)

- Overwinter ([Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings), 2021)

- Haunts ([Lo Recordings](/source/Lo_Recordings), 2021)

### Singles

- High Down (Ninja Tune, 2009)

- The Door in the Wall (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Muppet (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- From Towns & Fields (Ninja Tune, 2012)

- Pieces (Ninja Tune, 2012)

- Catholic Architecture (Lo Recordings, 2014)

- Curlews (Lo Recordings, 2015)

- Radar (Lo Recordings, 2015)

### Remixes by Grasscut

- Voluntary Butler Scheme – Trading Things In (2009)

- Bonobo ft Andreya Triana: The Keeper – Bitter Peace remix (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Jaga Jazzist: Toccata (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Coldcut: Sound Mirrors (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Crewdson: Mime (Slowfoot, 2010)

- Spokes: 3, 4, 5 (Counter, 2011)

- Brasstronaut: Hearts Trompet (Tri-Tone, 2011)

- Zoon Van Snook: Shall He? Shanty (Mush Records, 2012)

- Tim Bowness: Smiler at 52 (There Were Days Grasscut Remix) (Inside Out Music, 2014)

- Nick Nicely: London South (Lo Recordings, 2015)

### Remixes of Grasscut

- Nathan Fake: Muppet (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Bibio: The Door In The Wall (Ninja Tune, 2010)

- Prdctv: The Door In The Wall (Ninja Tune, 2010)

### Other

- Blink In The Night: Ninja Tune XX box set (Ninja Tune, 2010)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Grasscut 1 Inch / ½ Mile Review"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/cm4z). *Bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Album: Grasscut, Unearth (Ninja Tune)"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-grasscut-unearth-ninja-tune-7939007.html). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Ones To Watch: Grasscut"](http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/ones-to-watch-grasscut). *Clashmusic.com*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Jenkins, Lisa. ["Too Good To Be True: Tom Robinson's Favourite Albums"](http://thequietus.com/articles/13005-tom-robinson-favourite-albums?page=13). *Thequietus.com*. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Gill, Andy. ["Mercury Prize 2012: the albums that should be heard"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/mercury-prize-2012-the-albums-that-should-be-heard-8113428.html?action=gallery&ino=8). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Murray, Robin. ["Premiere: Grasscut - 'Curlews'"](http://www.clashmusic.com/videos/premiere-grasscut-curlews). Clash. Retrieved 19 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Their Library: Grasscut"](http://www.clashmusic.com/features/their-library-grasscut). Clash. Retrieved 19 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Brusse, Bryan. ["Reviews, Grasscut, Everyone Was A Bird"](http://thequietus.com/articles/17928-grasscut-everyone-was-a-bird-review). *The Quietus*. Retrieved 19 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Macfarlane, Robert. ["Everyone Was A Bird"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151120060514/http://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2015/04/07/robert-macfarlane-landscape-grasscut/). *Caught By The River*. Archived from [the original](http://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2015/04/07/robert-macfarlane-landscape-grasscut/) on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Abdallah, Rudi. ["LISTEN: Mira Calix Remixes Grasscut"](http://thequietus.com/articles/19948-listen-mira-calix-remixes-grasscuts). *The Quietus*. Retrieved 29 March 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Big Chill @ Eastnor Castle 2009"](http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/bigchill/2009). *EFestivals.co.uk*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Ninja Tune night @ ICA - 10th July - Daedelus, Dj Food + More"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074902/http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4188639). Drowned In Sound. Archived from [the original](http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4188639) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Grasscut At The Tate Britain"](https://theheavy.co.uk/jp/article/2009/mar/31/grasscut-at-the-tate-britain#.VAm-8RZH3lI). *Theheavy.co.uk*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Grasscut: One Fell Swoop"](http://yatesyswhinelodge.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/grasscut-one-fell-swoop.html). *Yatesyswhinelodge.blogspot.co.uk*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Grasscut - Unearth (Ninja Tune)"](http://www.dmcworld.net/reviews/entry/albums/grasscut-unearth-ninja-tune.html). *Dmcworld.net*. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Soundtrack Album for HBO's 'The New Pope' Released"](https://filmmusicreporter.com/2020/02/07/soundtrack-album-for-hbos-the-new-pope-released/). *Film Music Reporter*. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [*"Waterloo Road" Happy Ever After (TV Episode 2013) - IMDb*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3296212/soundtrack), retrieved 9 June 2020

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Music by Grasscut"](https://www.tunefind.com/artist/grasscut). *Tunefind*. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["About"](https://grasscutmusic.com/about/). *Grasscut Music*. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

## External links

- [Official website](http://grasscutmusic.com)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Grasscut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasscut) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasscut?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.