Misunderstood No More: Baby Grendel Breaks Out on Tour
The Portland art-rock band steps into the spotlight with their EP Hatch(l)ing and a West Coast summer tour.
Photo of Baby Grendel Taken by Kat Tabor
Portland-based art-rock band Baby Grendel brought a moody, immersive performance to John Henry’s in Eugene, Oregon, on Jun 29, celebrating the release of their new EP Hatch(l)ing with a set that felt both intimate and explosive.
Baby Grendel began as the solo recording project of frontman and rhythm guitarist Jonathan Suarez, but by August 2024, it had grown into a full five-piece band. Their live show reflected that evolution, full of raw energy, clear chemistry, and strong personal connections between members. The current lineup features lead guitarist Tomás Sakatani, keyboardist and vocalist Colleen Johnson, bassist Faith Loomis, and drummer Zach Cardenas. Suarez, Johnson, Loomis, and Cardenas all spoke with The Music Box about how the band came together and how each of them got involved—many noting their deep love for Oregon, especially meaningful given that some members originally came from out of state.
Suarez explained the inspiration behind the band’s name: “I think I'm always interested in misunderstood characters,” he said, referring to the mythological creature Grendel, often depicted as a villain. His take, however, was shaped by Grendel: A Novel by John Gardner. “I read it in high school. That was my first experience reading a book from the villain’s point of view. I really liked that,” Suarez says. “I made him a baby so he could have another shot.”
Photo of Baby Grendel Taken by Kat Tabor
That theme of misunderstood identity runs deep in Baby Grendel’s music. “We make a lot of music about feeling misunderstood,” Suarez said. “I like to think there’s always a chance to start fresh — that we’re never past the point where we can’t hit reset and try to make things better. The album’s title, Hatch(l)ing, has something to do with that — with building this new band and putting it out into the world. It feels like this fragile thing that we really care about. In a way, it’s like our baby.”
Drummer Zach Cardenas spoke about joining the band unexpectedly after a break from music: “I found this band back in September through the bassist. She was my old substitute teacher.” He laughed. “She messaged me and was like, ‘Hey, do you want to be in this band?’”
Bassist Loomis had connected with Suarez over coffee before joining. “We just got to talking and vibed really well,” she recalled.
“It's obviously not the first band I've been in, but this is definitely the one that has felt the most exciting,” says Johnson, who described her past as a series of on-and-off experiences with other groups. “It's a good vibe,” she added.
Hatch(l)ing, recorded at Portland’s Jackpot! Studios with producers Larry Crane and Justin Chase, marks a creative milestone. The EP leans into vulnerability, exploring themes of isolation, personal growth, and existential repetition — all wrapped in a sound that blends shoegaze textures with post-punk urgency.
Opening band Jay and Hex kicked the night off with a mythical, magical set. The Corvallis-based group, composed of vocals, upright bass, drums, saxophone, and electric guitar, delivered a jazzy alt-punk performance that energized the crowd.
Photo of Jay and Hex Taken by Kat Tabor
When Baby Grendel took the stage, the themes of Hatch(l)ing came alive. “Morning Prayer” stood out with its slow-burning, atmospheric mood and Suarez’s voice trembling like a whispered secret.
Baby Grendel didn’t rely on flashy theatrics. Instead, they built a sonic cocoon — intimately inviting the audience into their evolving world. For a band that once lived in the quiet corners of a home studio, Saturday night marked a bold step into the light on John Henry’s stage.
You can follow Baby Grendel on Instagram at @babygrendel; their new EP Hatch(l)ing is out now on all streaming platforms, with upcoming shows in San Pedro, California on July 8 and San Juan Bautista, California on July 12. Find out more at BabyGrendel.com
Photo of Baby Grendel Taken by Kat Tabor
