Gillian Grassie (say: Jillian Grass-y) is a contemporary harpist/singer-songwriter whose signature brand of alt/pop has been described as “music that is sure to haunt you like a reassuring and melodious ghost." [Origivation] Her distinctive vocal approach, paired with a remarkable ability for storytelling, makes her first full-length effort, Serpentine, "a treat" [Philadelphia Citypaper].

Grassie's clever songwriting is supported by extensive classical training in both harp and voice. Her interpretations of traditional Scottish harp repertoire earned her first place prizes in five competitions and an invitation to perform at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in 2001. In her youth, she sang with both national and regional ACDA honors choirs in such prestigious venues as Heinz Hall, Symphony Hall, and The National Cathedral.

Her debut, independent EP To An Unwitting Muse, released in June 2005, sold out of its original pressing and helped her cross over onto radio territory, receiving airplay on WXPN, and making the top ten in Q102's "Have a Great Gig" contest. Grassie's approach to the harp, which brings the instrument out of its traditional context and into a brand of indie pop that is both accessible and unusual, has inspired critics to call her "an innovator par excellence." [Ticket Magazine]

Her first full-length effort, Serpentine, was released in October 2007 and has received rave reviews, praised as “an album that belongs on every critic’s best of list not only for the year, but also the decade,” .

In 2009/10 she will be collecting musical and cultural impressions in France, Germany, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. So far (Nov 2009) she's had a busy schedule with concerts and musical collaborations in Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, and other places in Germany. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.