Grumpy

Heaven Schmitt, the front person of Grumpy, keeps their friends close and their exes closer. The keyboardist and bassist are Heaven’s ex girlfriends, the drummer is their ex-husband (the guitar player and Heaven never dated but there was one night when Heaven thought they might kiss but they didn’t).

Originally based in Nashville, where Schmitt studied songwriting at Belmont University, before relocating to Chicago, Schmitt released a debut LP called Loser under the Grumpy name in 2020. Although it garnered a cult audience, Schmitt felt that due to a lack of confidence during the recording process the album never truly represented what they thought their band should be. It all fell into place when Schmitt moved to New York in 2022. On the East Coast Grumpy has transformed, leveling up adjacent to a buzzy corner of the Brooklyn scene.

The current Grumpy backing band includes Austin Arnold on drums, Lane Rodges on keys, Anya Good on bass, and Diego Clare on guitar. Being in an act with numerous exes isn’t always easy. However, Schmitt feels that it leads to an honest, nurturing dynamic. “I’m really drawn to people who — no matter what they’re going through, or what we’regoing through — have a clear baseline of respect and care and love,” Schmitt says of their bandmates.

Grumpy’s new EP, Wolfed, will be released by New York City institution Bayonet Records. A riff on the slang expression “we ate,” to “wolf” means to power through something and absolutely kill it. The phrase does the EP’s boisterous spirit justice. Building on a dark fairy tale aesthetic, Wolfed casts ruminations on partnership, crushes, and separation in fantastical, commanding hues.