Granite to Glass w/ Treya Lam

Brooklyn-based indie-folk chamber ensemble Granite to Glass strives to envelop each audience in positive introspection with which to heal and reflect.

For several years, singer songwriter Jon Kohen performed as a solo act based in Lowell, MA, self-releasing electro-acoustic works such as The Heart of the Machine and Dead Reckoning . In 2016, Kohen joined forces with a studio string ensemble for the first time to release the more uplifting Curse the Darkness, Or Create a Light. Inspired by the emotional power of the collaboration, Kohen formed Granite to Glass in essence with his newfound artistic direction.

Granite to Glass’ debut LP For When You Need This, with orchestration by composer Derek Weagle, features an orchestra and choir of over 50 performing artists from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, New England Conservatory, and Greater Boston area. Imperfect Fifth described the music video and music of With Every Rainfall (Track#5) as "a vivid masterpiece from the beginning, playing with color and contrast, emphasizing small moments in a relationship."

““[A] chamber ensemble much different than others, emphasizing an indie-folk sound that is both vibrant and welcoming.””
— IMPERFECT FIFTH
Shortly after the LP’s release, Kohen made the move to Brooklyn, NY, and relaunched Granite to Glass with the addition of Jen Ho (violin) and Gavin Hsu (cello) to comprise the core trio. With King of Nowhere frontman Jesse French, jazz multi-instrumentalist Neal Rosenthal, and percussionist Sam Parsons joining in and blending their diverse sounds, Granite to Glass now performs anywhere from an intimate trio to an expanded 6-piece ensemble. Weaving Kohen's arresting lyrics with ethereal vocals and illustrative string arrangements, the group brings together each of their diverse artistic stories to seek fragility and hope in even the darkest and most unyielding places.

Their self-titled album is set to be released Spring 2020.

Treya Lam is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose cinematic songs and compositions are built on dynamic classically trained piano, ethereal vocals, meditative guitar, and lush chamber-folk arrangements. Their debut album Good News was created entirely by womxn - headed by Kaki King who produced and released the record on her label June 2018. Good News debuted to a sold-out show at Joe’s Pub and was supported by a nationwide tour shortly after. Lam is an active member of the Resistance Revival Chorus and one of the five artists selected for the 2019 Joe’s Pub Working Group and participated in the Uncommon Art Residency in the North Fork this past January.

"She draws you in, hypnotizes you, and all at once you’ll get taken up by a huge tide, a swell that takes you over completely." -Village Voice

“Her voice and delivery style give dashes of Melody Gardot’s understated wisp and Madeleine Peyroux’s bohemia - Jazz Weekly

“Lam is a classically trained musician fusing elements of chamber music… and pop” - NYTimes