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Grove reflects on breakthrough year

Gloucester > Entertainment > Music

Author: Thomas Hadfield, Posted: Wednesday, 25th September 2019, 09:00

Beth Griffin AKA Grove Beth Griffin AKA Grove

When it comes to music, Beth Griffin is a person of many talents.

A vocalist, producer, DJ and beatboxer, Beth, who is probably better known by their stage name Grove, first got into performing in a very different capacity.

“I first performed when I was 15 in a prog rock band,” said the 22-year-old.

“I’ve evolved since then more into hip hop, electronic, reggae. I’m half Jamaican and my brothers and dad were always listening to that stuff when I was growing up so I’ve always loved it.”

Originally from Cheltenham, Beth has this year performed all around the county and beyond, as a soloist, and with other local artists.

Part of the local vocal collective 5 Mics, they say that performing in Gloucester was where they were able to hone their craft.

“It was all about running into the right people at the right time,” continued Beth.

“I started doing events with JPDL and Yogi Beats, Griz-O, and they were a really high standard and we created a local scene for hip-hop.”

This year has included a set with JPDL at the WOMAD Festival in Wiltshire – “we performed with a ska orchestra and hadn’t rehearsed but it turned out really well,” they laughed.

But it was during a performance at the Strike a Light Festival with 5 Mics when Beth was spotted by the director of what has gone on to be one of the biggest shows of the year.

‘Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster’ has received critical acclaim, plenty of five-star reviews, and was the highest rated show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“It’s still surreal to think we’re number one out of 3,700 shows,” said Beth.

“Me getting involved was part luck, part hard work. Our director Conrad (Murray) saw me and thought I’d be perfect for it.”

The show is a modern-day retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, told through beatboxing and rap.

Produced by Battersea Art Centre’s Beatbox Academy, it has this year been performed all around the country, with talks of an international tour on the cards.

Beth added: “I still can’t really compute how well it’s done and can’t wait to see where it goes – there’s so much potential.”

In the meantime, Grove will be performing at the Stroud Shindig on Friday 15th October alongside JPDL and plenty of other local talent.

And looking ahead, they’re excited to build on the huge success of this year.

“I’m going to be making more music, writing, linking up with more people,” said Beth.

“I’m moving to Bristol to get involved with the music scene there and hopefully create links between there and Gloucester.

“I’m looking forward to next year, it feels like I’m on an upward trajectory.”

For more information on Grove visit www.facebook.com/THEYISGROVE

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