Chiswick Singer Finds Fame With London Grammar

From college gigs to world touring, Hannah Reid is now a star

From college gigs to world touring, Hannah Reid is now a star.   As vocalist with the hugely successful London Grammar band, local girl Hannah Reid is now instantly recognisable on magazine covers and on television.   She grew up in Chiswick, attending school at Bute House and then Notting Hill & Ealing High. Friends and family well remember the teenager who wrote songs in her bedroom and hung out with her friends on Chiswick High Road.

The band are currently nominated for a Brits award, for British Breakthrough Act, with the winner being announced this Wednesday (February 19th).  They recently performed on the Graham Norton Show and they are currently in the middle of a gruelling UK tour to be followed in coming months by America, Australia and Europe.

The 24-year old, whose voice has been likened to Judie Tzuke and Florence Welch, has had fame thrust upon her in the past year. When she teamed up with the other two members of the band – they were all studying at Nottingham University - they could never have dreamed they would be touring the world with sell-out concerts.

It was guitarist, Dan Rothman, who first formed the band.   Hannah only joined as a very reluctant singer, at one of their Saturday night gigs - as a “one-off”!   Dominic 'Dot' Major (keyboard, djembe, drums) came soon after.  They were talent-spotted at a London pub gig.   (They were studying for their finals at the time.)   Signed with the management company Big Life (think Wham, Snow patrol …) they then landed major recording contract with The Ministry of Sound.  Their first published track was “Hey Now” on YouTube.  It was just before a weekend and they were told that 500 or so hits would be good over the two days.  They got nearly 20,000 and the song has now had three million plays.  London Grammar's debut album, “If You Wait,” was in the UK top 10 for seven weeks.  Hannah's unique vocal style on songs such as ' 'Strong' and 'Wasting My Young Years' have captivated and grown their fan base.  

Friends and family who regularly attend their concerts are waiting to see if they will win a Brits. They are pitted against Bastille, Disclosure, Laura Mvula, and Tom Odell.  Fingers crossed for Wednesday.

February 15, 2014