ANCHR's Artist of the Week: Grapetooth

Photo by Alex Hupp

This week’s ANCHR Artist of the Week goes to another Chicago group— Grapetooth!

The duo of Twin Peak’s Clay Frankel and Chris Bailoni (Home-Sick) made a splash with Grapetooth’s debut single “Trouble” that released in the summer of 2018. It’s one of those ear-wormy songs with a hook that will latch onto your brain and remain there for hours, or possibly days. “Trouble” featured whimsical synths and an air of giddiness alongside its massive hook, characteristics that rang throughout the majority of Grapetooth’s self-titled debut record, which was released later in 2018. Bailoni and Frankel’s artful blend of New Wave influences and blissful dance beats crafted the perfect recipe for their rowdy and effervescent live performances. Off the back of their album’s release, Grapetooth performed sold out shows across the US and even play at Pitchfork Fest in 2019.

Every time I saw them perform there was an unwavering sense of joy and camaraderie that filled the venue, so it was sad to see Grapetooth take a bit of a hiatus after their bout of success. If you, too, enjoyed Grapetooth’s short-but-sweet stint, then you can rejoice in knowing they’ve made a resurgance at the end of 2022. This past December, Grapetooth released a double single (their first music drop since February 2020) with “Infinite Source,” featuring Knox Fortune, and “Shining,” featuring Squirrel Flower. There’s something slightly refined and subdued about the new material, but at the heart of it, Grapetooth’s wild and youthful nature remains just below the surface. And of course, they’re still just as addictively hooky as before.

Talking about the new track “Infinite Source,” the band says the song captures the “endless well of creativity, gratitude, and positivity that exists within all of us.” “We’re turning that feeling into dance music and feel blessed to have Ella (Squirrel Flower) and Kevin (Knox Fortune) singing on these songs. They’re both so talented and have incredible voices,” they add.

Grapetooth also returned with a live performance at The Empty Bottle on NYE 2022. Be sure to follow them for any additional show or music updates, and tune into the video for “Infinite Source” below.