GRiZ

24 years old. Detroit, MI. Vinyl lover, people hugger. Electronic music has exploded over the past few years in America lead by the massive popularity of Dubstep and various other forms of bass-driven music. It's reached its pinnacle and is now trying to progress into something more lasting. Detroit has always been a hotbed for electronic music, and new generations of young artists, DJs, and promoters have continued to sprout up. One of those young names is a Detroit-area producer/musician named GRiZ, born Grant Kwiecinski, who at the tender age of 23 through his own natural talent and passion has become one of the next artists to watch in the world of electronic music. The young upstart blends a futuristic electronic sounds reminiscent of dubstep/bass music but shakes it up with a heavy dose of classical funk, soul, and jazz. His sound, which he would describe as "electro-soul" if a genre needs attached to it, sets a balance between various urban music genres while not heavily dependent on one in particular. I was able to catch up with GRiZ during a rain-filled day at this past spring's Movement Electronic Music Festival at Hart Plaza. Even during the downpours all day, the kids were still out at the Electric Forest-curated stage to see GRiZ do what he loves to do: music.