Influenced by a love for improvisational music, great narratives and the unknown, Cole Grant weaves a tapestry of story and emotions together in each piece he creates, regardless of the medium.

Since becoming a musician around the turn of the century, he’s toured the U.S. in numerous projects, playing everything from near capacity world class theaters to empty coffee shops. He’s released a number of records both as a member of various groups, and as a solo artist under the moniker C Dylla G.

His 2023 trilogy, The C Trylla G, is a collection of sixty songs that was never meant to see the light of day. A series of interludes, the music lends itself well to soundtracks, games & interstitial music for any number of mediums.

As a voracious community radio listener growing up, he welcomed a wide variety of influences into his music, from avant garde jazz to punk rock to modern classical. That disposition has carried over into his artistic identity.

His discovery of installation art led him to create a series of pieces that put sound into the gallery space, from interactive non-durational pieces to static durational pieces, using tools like walkie talkies & hand drawn pictures to deliver his message.

Story is at the heart of Grant’s artistic practice, whether it’s more abstract, like in his music, or writ large, as heard in his radio & podcast work.

As a five year public radio producer, reporter, DJ and host, he’s done everything from reporting an entire legislative session to directing & live producing multiple broadcasts of the Montana Folk Festival over numerous public radio stations. He’s interviewed everyone from government officials, like former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, to well known musicians, like Sam Beam of Iron and Wine.

As a podcaster, he’s hosted, engineered, edited & produced three seasons of Words Out West, which can be heard on NPR.org.

Grant began his radio journey on college radio, co-hosting the weekly show “Monday Night Hip Hop” with a fellow journalism student. He continues to show love for his radio roots at Missoula Community Radio, where he hosts the weekly show “Everybody Chill,” which explores the many identities of relaxing music.

Education

2024 MFA Media Arts - University of Montana - Missoula, MT

2017 BA Journalism (cum laude) University of Montana - Missoula, MT

2007 HSD - Decatur High School - Decatur, GA

Awards / Scholarships

2024 Phi Kappa Phi

2024 Stacked Sunday - KFGM Community Radio

2017 12th place in Hearst Radio Competition

2017 UM Faculty Radio Journalism Award

2017 Phil Hess Memorial Award

2016 Best On-Air Banter - KBGA College Radio

2016 Rosetta Rush Kamlowsky Memorial Scholarship


2015 George & Marie McVey Scholarship

2007 Eagle Scout Award

Press

2024 Things to do: Die de Muertos, Native Art, Halloween Rock - The Missoulian

2023 2023: The Year in Missoula-Made Music - The Missoulian

2023 Stephanie Land reading, Native play debut and live music - The Missoulian

2022 Album Review: Transcendental Express’ Live Debut - The Missoulian

2022 Album Review: Red Onion Purple’s ‘Frightening Sights’ - The Missoulian

2020 Things to do in Missoula: Online concerts, films, art exhibitions - The Missoulian

2020 Missoula Bassist Reunites with Loop Pedal During Quarantine, Releases Debut EP - The Missoulian

2020 Support musicians on New Music Friday - KBGA College Radio

2019 Two Kinds of Funk and Charlie Parr’s folk blues - The Missoulian

Radio DJ Experience

2023 - present KFGM Community Radio - Missoula, MT - Everybody Chill

2018 - 2021 Montana Public Radio - Missoula, MT

2015 - 2016 KBGA College Radio - Missoula, MT - Monday Night Hip Hop

Teaching Experience

2025 Professor - Media Arts 101

2024 Professor - Principles of Sound Design

2023 - present Teaching Assistant - Sound Production & Design Fundamentals

2023 - 2024 Teaching Assistant - Media Arts 101

2019 - 2020 Instructor - Montana Media Lab

Installation Art

2024 “GHOST” - Knowles Gallery - Missoula, MT

2024 “Couch” - Off Center Gallery - Missoula, MT - Screened at the Roxy Theater in Missoula, MT

2024 “And I Left Again” - Off Center Gallery - Missoula, MT

2024 “Dots” - Production studio - University of Montana - Missoula, MT

2023 “Untitled” - Media Arts Expo - University of Montana - Missoula, MT

2021 “Everything Is Fragile & Nothing Matters” - Light Shaft Gallery - Missoula, MT

Discography

2024 Chris Sand - Non-Judgement Day

2023 C Dylla G - C Trylla G Part I: The Wizard

2023 C Dylla G - C Trylla G Part II: Sünya

2023 C Dylla G - C Trylla G Part III: SLACKS

2022 Transcendental Express - 10.30.21

2022 Red Onion Purple - Frightening Sights

2021 C Dylla G - Getting Thru: A Compilation - MAM + MAMA

2020 C Dylla G - Covid Loops

2012 Street Violence - Street Violence

2011 A. Grimes - Malt Liquor Fantastrophe

2011 Street Violence - Straight Chillin’

2009 Invisible Circus - Swamp Cat And The Jams