A native New Yorker with a captivating voice and a clear gift for songwriting, Meredith began playing both piano and violin from an early age, switching to guitar through high school and college. She began playing solo shows in small venues around New England, and made a few cds to hand out at shows which proved incredibly popular. Word spread fast, and the 2006 heyday of myspace added rocket fuel to the fire. When we talked with her about working together after the Southpaw show, we had no idea that her songs had already sold 15,000 copies, had not seen the 17 pages of cover versions on youtube, and had never been to one of her (more common) solo shows.
The name Gregory And The Hawk was conceived in 2003, initially devised to avoid her being perceived or pigeonholed as a female singer-songwriter (though, perhaps ironically, when pressed for a list of influences Meredith cites Nick Drake, Liz Phair, PJ Harvey). Meredith remained playing alone under that name for a few years, until she met Mike McGuire in New York in 2005. The two played live shows together for several months before teaming up with bassist Jeff Ratner and drummer Adam Christgau (both of New York band Paper And Sand). The four of them recorded the 'Boats And Birds EP', which they self-released in 2006.
Soon after, the four friends moved apart, and so Meredith began playing live with just Jeff on upright bass, and herself on acoustic guitar and vocals. This was how she played most of the shows to support 'In Your Dreams,' the debut album, again self-released in 2007. The only players on 'In Your Dreams' were Meredith, Mike McGuire (who also engineered most of it), and Susan Ambrose. The recording of 'Moenie and Kitchi' was somewhat different; while Mike, Susan and a host of others contributed, many of the instruments were played by the album's producer Adam Pierce (Mice Parade).
The gentle, hook-laden songs of Gregory And The Hawk's mostly solo/acoustic sets have received much of their considerable attention through internet streaming and downloads, resulting in a groundswell of support that belies the fact that up until now, there has been no label, no manager, or indeed any other supportive network to help them on their way. Gregory And The Hawk have but one thing on their side - the ability to craft spellbinding, idiosyncratic pop songs, that sound at once suggestive, familiar, and yet very much of themselves.
‘Moenie and Kitchi’ was released in October 2008, with US and European tours embarked on in support of this.
Gregory and The Hawk are currently writing new material for an album set to be released in 2010. Leche is schedule for release on Nov. 9th in the US and Nov. 15th in the UK.
Discography:
Gregory and the Hawk (demo quality) - c. 2002; re-released 2005
8-track demos - 2005
Boats & Birds EP - 2006
In Your Dreams - 2007
Moenie and Kitchi - 2008 - Fatcat
Leche - 2010 - Fatcat
Come, Now - 2012
Stone (EP) - 2012
A Selection of Demos - 2014
On the Orange Mountain - 2017
Three Weeks No Songs - 2020
Texas Collectious - 2022
Singles:
Ghost - 2008 - Fatcat
Olly Olly Oxen Free - 2010
Some White Mountain - 2023
Bootlegs:
Live at Olives - 4/4/04
Grey Weather
Gregory and the Hawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Despite the careless words you say, I'm always keeping faith
Chart the numbers, see a trend... We are moving in place
Despite your lack of blowing over, I'm always keeping faith
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
It's too late
You'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
It's too late
In the bright light of morning, map the last leg of the trip
I call on you to catch me as I'm coming over that bridge
Through the mind-fog of the beach and the cracking concrete
The broken wings of reverie leave me always having faith
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
It's too late
You'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
It's too late
It's too late
The lyrics of "Grey Weather" by Gregory and the Hawk talk about a situation in which the singer is holding onto hope despite the negative things that are said to them. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges the careless words of someone else, but despite this, they continue to keep faith. They see a trend in their situation and recognize that they are not making progress but rather just moving in place. Nevertheless, the singer continues to have hope despite the lack of change.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the journey they have been on and how they need someone to catch them as they are coming over a bridge. This could represent a change or a transition in their life, and they need someone to be there for them. The mind-fog of the beach and the cracking concrete could represent the confusion and chaos in their life, but the singer has broken wings of reverie, which means that they have hope and faith despite the difficulties. The chorus repeats the phrase, "This is not the time for goodbyes, it's too late," implying that the singer is not ready to give up yet and that it's too late for anyone to tell them otherwise.
Line by Line Meaning
Grey weather, just fool me, just tell me I'm right
Despite the gloomy weather and your misleading words, I still hold on to my beliefs and trust you.
Chart the numbers, see a trend... We are moving in place
Even though we are analyzing and observing the situation, we are still stuck in the same place without progress.
Despite your lack of blowing over, I'm always keeping faith
Despite the fact that the storm is not subsiding, I still hold onto hope and maintain my faith.
In the bright light of morning, map the last leg of the trip
As the sun rises, we plan the final phase of our journey.
I call on you to catch me as I'm coming over that bridge
I rely on you to support me when I cross that bridge towards our destination.
Through the mind-fog of the beach and the cracking concrete
Amidst the confusion and uncertainty of the shore and the damaged pavement, we continue to push forward.
The broken wings of reverie leave me always having faith
Despite the shattered dreams and unrealistic expectations, I still maintain my unwavering faith.
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes, It's too late
Even though it may be time to part ways, it is already too late to say goodbye.
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes, It's too late
Even though it may be time to part ways, it is already too late to say goodbye.
It's too late
The moment has already passed, it is too late to go back or say goodbye.
Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
That one stupid Thomas fan
TRACK 04 - Grey Weather
Grey weather, just fool me, just tell me I'm right
despite the careless words you say, I'm always keeping faith
chart the numbers, see a trend...we are moving in place
despite your lack of blowing over, I'm always keeping faith
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
it's too late
you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
it's too late
it's too late
In the bright light of morning, map the last leg of the trip
I call on you to catch me as I'm coming over that bridge
through the mind-fog of the beach and the cracking concrete
the broken wings of reverie leave me always having faith
And you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
it's too late
you'd say, this is not the time for goodbyes
it's too late
it's too late
Gregory And The Hawk - Moenie And Kitchi (2008)
The Distinguished and Distrusting Cat
How do I keep finding all of these underrated songs-
pinkintheflesh
Ikr, which ones have you found so far?
The Distinguished and Distrusting Cat
weflllagn Catflap by Sobs is really good.
The Distinguished and Distrusting Cat
weflllagn Also Astronomy by Sobs
The Distinguished and Distrusting Cat
weflllagn And Breakfast by Sobs- I really like Sobs- She’s super underrated, haha.
pinkintheflesh
@The Distinguished and Distrusting Cat Nooiiice. I found a band called Oolong; they very recently released an album that you can find here on YT called "About Your Imaginary Friend".
Aaron Something
Beautiful
L O S T - S O U L
I LUV HER SM I CANBSHEHEHJD