Granite to Glass Press Kit

Short Biography

Granite to Glass is a New York City-based indie-folk band that has captured the hearts of listeners with their strikingly genuine songs and orchestral strings. Imperfect Fifth described their music video for "With Every Rainfall" as a "vivid masterpiece," and NPR's All Songs Considered praised the band's "heart-soaring strings" in “There’s Nothing Quite Like Missing You (Connecticut Welcome Center).”

The band’s latest single, “Sirens (40°47'39.9"N, 73°57'23.5"W),” is Jon’s first self-produced work. He, Ryan, and Marta spent the better part of a year working to create a painstakingly detailed and intricate labor of love that delivers a lush, cinematic, and familiar yet exciting new atmosphere.

Full Biography

Founded in 2016 by singer-songwriter Jon Kohen, Granite to Glass has released several albums, EPs, and singles that showcase their unique blend of folk and orchestral music. The band's lineup includes Jon Kohen, Ryan Mack, and Marta Cabral.

Jon Kohen's musical journey began as a solo singer-songwriter in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he self-released acoustic/electronic works like The Heart of the Machine and Dead Reckoning. In 2016, he collaborated with a string ensemble of 14 string players (violinists, violists, cellists, and contrabassists) to record his acoustic EP Curse the Darkness, Or Create a Light, which laid the foundation for Granite to Glass.

The band's debut LP, for when you need this, features an orchestra and choir of over 50 members, creating a lush and dynamic soundscape. The album's standout track, "I Want to Live," has been praised for its "massive wall of sound" and pop melody.

In 2020, Granite to Glass released their self-titled sophomore album with a smaller line-up of eight members, which included a string quartet, and a pedal steel player. The album’s emotional centerpiece, "There's Nothing Quite Like Missing You (Connecticut Welcome Center)" was praised by NPR's All Songs Considered for its "heart-soaring strings” and poetic lyrics.

The band’s latest single, “Sirens (40°47'39.9"N, 73°57'23.5"W),” is Jon’s first self-produced work. He, Ryan, and Marta spent the better part of a year working to create a painstakingly detailed and intricate labor of love that delivers a lush, cinematic, and familiar yet exciting new atmosphere.

Press Quotes

“Heart-soaring strings…” — NPR, All Songs Considered

“Granite to Glass transfer anxiety and fear, loneliness and heartache into wondrous, lush soundscapes filled with life and a vibrant effervescence.” — Atwood Magazine

“[‘I Want to Live’] manages to bring both a melancholic sensibility and a pop melody to the table, making for an immediate stand-out song and a good indication of what a fantastic album [for when you need this] is going to be… The lush strings and delicate backing vocals really create this massive wall of sound behind his voice and guitar, but never detract from the clear stand-out song here.” — Sophie’s Floorboard

“[‘With Every Rainfall‘ is] a vivid masterpiece...” — Imperfect Fifth

"...a riveting, rather transfixing listening experience that deserves the broadest attention possible." — Stereo Embers Magazine

"I highly recommend giving [Curse the Darkness, or Create a Light] a try, there is some true talent here." — Sophie's Floorboard