Caring Causes: Kate Grom/Diabetes Research

Singer and songwriter Kate Grom released her version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," today, to benefit ViaCyte's efforts to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. The single is available on Grom's Bandcamp page.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.25 million people in the U.S. have type 1 diabetes. Grom chose for proceeds to go to research after a personal connection exposed her to the challenges experienced by patients with the disease. ViaCyte, a leader in stem cell-derived cell replacement therapies, is performing the first-ever human trial of a treatment that researchers hope will provide a functional cure for type 1 diabetes.

 

"After my baby nephew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I witnessed the ups and downs that result from type 1," Grom said. "It's obvious to me that more research is necessary to help treat and cure this disease."

 

Produced by Grammy winner Stewart Lerman (Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello), the New York-based singer and songwriter's version of the modern holiday staple mixes the familiar sentiments with Grom's distinctive vocals. Her take on the song is filled with soaring emotionality and soulful melancholy, a product of combining a childhood with classically trained chamber music and country and folk influences like Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.

 

The track features production from Lerman as well as Steve Holley (Wings, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Kiki Dee, Joe Cocker, Ian Hunter) on drums, Steuart Smith (The Eagles, Rodney Crowell, Michelle Branch, Don Henley) on piano, guitar and various instruments, David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, Bruce Hornsby and the Range) and Paul Socolow (Herbie Mann), among other musicians.

 

Grom is releasing her debut album, Heroine, on February 24, 2017, a rustic yet refined album, lush with pedal steel, moony atmospherics, and songs that simmer with slow burn dynamics, understated grooves and soaring hooks.