New Baby Grendel Release and CDs

The new EP, Everybody Hates Me in the House, features Colleen Johnson on vocals and keyboard and is included on the Hatch(l)ing (Deluxe) CD

Johnson joined her Baby Grendel band members in the studio to record their second EP as a five-piece band. The EP was released in October 2025 and features Johnson's vocals and keyboard performances. She is also credited as a producer and composer on the EP. Soon after Everybody Hates Me in the House was released, the band released a compact disc which includes the songs from the Hatch(l)ing EP alongside this new collection of songs. The CD, titled Hatch(l)ing (Deluxe) , is now available for purchase at select record stores in Portland, Oregon and California as well as at Baby Grendel live shows and Rhythms Coffee in Olympia, WA. 

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Watch Colleen Johnson Perform with Baby Grendel Live at Portland State University's Sub-Basement Studios

The band played an adapted set featuring the new music from their EP and chatted with KPSU radio host Rachelle Marilyn about the EP and upcoming release show

As part of their press tour promoting the Hatch(l)ing EP release show across Portland radio stations, Johnson and the rest of the band stopped by KPSU to chat about the EP and perform a preview of the release show live on air. The performance was also filmed and is available on-demand on the Sub-Basement Studios YouTube channel.

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Single Release Announcement

Colleen Johnson released the second single of her solo project on April 25, 2025

Colleen Johnson's recent single, 'Hard to Read' is now out now on all streaming platforms and for purchase on iTunes, Bandcamp, and this website! The song was originally written back in 2021, and Johnson recorded a self-produced a demo version then, but she was never quite happy with the quality of her own production, and never released it. She has since performed stripped down acoustic versions of the song around the open mic scene in Philadelphia as well as in her solo shows in Portland, and finally recorded a new version she can be proud of. Johnson worked again with the incredibly talented PDX producer Max Baker—who also produced 'Long Distance'. Baker also brought his artistry and skill to elevate the guitar and bass performance.

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Colleen Johnson to Debut Her Solo Set at Rose City Book Pub

Johnson will perform her original music opening for a Baby Grendel acoustic set on April 4, 2025

Colleen Johnson will perform a solo acoustic set of original music for the first time on Friday April 4th at Rose City Book Pub. She will be opening for Baby Grendel along with Kjirsten Tornfelt. The Baby Grendel headlining set will be a special acoustic show, also featuring Johnson in her role as keyboardist and backing vocalist. Music starts at 7 pm, and there is no cover charge.

'Long Distance' Earns Playlist Placement

Colleen Johnson's first single is now featured on the Loud & Queer playlist on Spotify

‘Long Distance’ has been featured on the Loud & Queer March playlist. Loud & Queer is an international music platform that brings together and promotes emerging and independent queer artists. The platform highlights the diversity within the queer and music communities. Loud & Queer focuses on creating a supportive community where musicians and music lovers can find each other. 

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Solo Release Announcement

Colleen Johnson released the first single of her solo EP on March 21, 2025

Colleen Johnson's first  single as a solo artist was released on March 21st 2025. 'Long Distance' is the first track released for her upcoming solo EP, produced by Max Baker. This project brings together Johnson's many influences from jazz to folk/americana to the rock music she currently plays in Baby Grendel. The leading single features Johnson's most recent songwriting as well as her vocal, saxophone, and keyboard performance with the guitars, bass, drums, and production brought to life by Baker. This was the second track the two recorded together, and it truly reflects their develop as collaborators. 'Long Distance' is now available on all streaming services as well as Bandcamp and this website.

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New Baby Grendel EP

Baby Grendel released a new EP titled Hatch(l)ing, which features Colleen on backing vocals and keyboard

Colleen is thrilled to share the new Baby Grendel EP, Hatch(l)ing, which was released February 10, 2025. As a band member, she had the opportunity to get into the studio with with her bandmates and record four brand new songs. The EP was produced by Larry Crane and Justin Chase at Jackpot! Recording Studio where Baby Grendel worked for three long days to bring the new songs to life. You can hear Colleen's vocals on three of the tracks: “Hatching,” “Satellite,” and “Morning Prayer”. Hatch(l)ing is now streaming everywhere and available for purchase on Bandcamp.

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Baby Grendel Creates a Song for the Sing Me a Story Foundation

Colleen backed up Baby Grendel's frontman Jonathan for the video and song recording

Back in December, Baby Grendel was asked to write a song for Sing Me a Story, an organization that serves children and families in need through imaginative storytelling and music. The children are given the opportunity to write stories about anything they want then songwriters and musicians turn their stories into songs while raising donations for a nonprofit of the child's choice. Baby Grendel's song written in collaboration with a story called Our Word and in partnership to raise donations for Bridges of Hope. Bridges of Hope provides a safe group environment to support and empower children, teens, and their families grieving a death. Read the story, donate to Bridges of Hope, and hear Baby Grendel's song on the Sing Me a Story website.

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Baby Grendel Performs Live on KWVA

Jonathan, Colleen, and Tomás of Baby Grendel performed a special live acoustic set in the studio at KWVA-Eugene

On December 15, 2024, Baby Grendel played their first out-of-town show at John Henry's in Eugene, Oregon. They stopped by the University of Oregon Campus Radio station KWVA to chat about the show as well as play a live in-studio acoustic set. This special live performance is now available on KWVA's SoundCloud!

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News Archive

Baby Grendel EP Release Show Recap

Baby Grendel put on a stacked release show at Dante's on May 1, 2025

Baby Grendel played their EP release show at Dante's on May 1st, with Colleen Johnson on keys and backing vocals. Promoting their newly released EP Hatch(l)ing, the show was the culmination of all the hard work the band has put in for the past 9 months, including the enormous effort of recording the EP. It marked their first performance of the new songs from the EP, and garnered incredible support from the Portland music scene and industry. The show was also stacked with great performances from the supporting bands, Johnny Raincloud and Heaven Skate, who really got the crowd going, as well as fire performers who opened the whole show. It was a marathon set for the band (11 songs!), but was certainly a night to remember!