Grails is an instrumental experimental rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1999 by guitarist Alex Hall, drummer Emil Amos, and guitarist Paul Spitz under the name Laurel Canyon. After early EPs and lineup changes, including the arrival of Zak Riles and departure of Paul Spitz, the band adopted the name Grails in 2003 and signed to Neurot Recordings. Known for genre-blending compositions and swapping instruments live, they expanded their sound with the Black Tar Prophecies series starting in 2005, highlighting their love for 1960s and 1970s experimental music. Their discography includes The Burden of Hope (2003), Redlight (2004), Burning Off Impurities (2007), and Doomsdayer’s Holiday (2008). In 2011, they released Deep Politics through Temporary Residence, followed by Chalice Hymnal (2017) and Anches En Maat (2023), which featured 1980s-inspired elements. Members also engage in side projects, notably Hall and Amos’s duo Lilacs & Champagne. Despite their Portland base, Grails has focused touring efforts on Europe and the U.S. East Coast. The band's latest album, Miracle Music, was released in 2025, extending a discography marked by stylistic diversity and evolving instrumentation.
