Artist Of The Week #194 - GRAE
This week’s Artist of the Week is Toronto based singer-songwriter GRAE - who has just released her debut album ‘Whiplash’ via AWAL.
GRAE has been writing music since the age of 10. After her mother passed away when she was young, she and her father used music as a way to bond. He bought a record player and the pair would listen to a new vinyl every day, broadening her musical horizons. When the vinyl player was silent, ‘80s music channels often flickered in the background. Her influences are deeply rooted in ‘80s new wave from The Cure to Joy Division. GRAE’s music sees her dig through the musical inspirations of her upbringing, and reimagine them through a new lens.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there GRAE, how are you? So your album is out now, how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hey! I'm doing great, thanks for asking! Oh wow, well, having 'Whiplash' out in the world feels amazing. This album was a project I had been working on for a year, and it was a massive period of growth for me as an artist. I feel pretty emotional about it, to be honest. It's just a cool accomplishment; I've always wanted to create an album.
It is called ‘Whiplash’ - what is the meaning behind that?
The album is all over the place in emotion. There are a lot of highs and lows. My manager and I came up with the title 'Whiplash' because when you're listening to the album, and you think you have the storyline, suddenly there's a sharp turn, and you've lost what's going on. So it seemed like an appropriate title.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are happy to share with us?
I recorded most of the album in my bedroom! During covid, I didn't go to the studio much, which took some adjusting, but interestingly enough, singing alone in my room helped me get more comfortable with my voice. I remember having moments where I lacked inspiration and felt lost. I cried a lot of tears while writing some of the music because I was nostalgic and reminiscent of life and relationships pre-pandemic. There were days I had no motivation to the point where I questioned what I was even doing and if making music was what I even wanted. That makes me sad because having the album finished and out there now reassures me that music is what I'm supposed to do. It's what I've wanted since I was ten years old, so completing an album and releasing it is a significant goal in my eyes. I'm grateful.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Romantic relationships I was experiencing and very confused about is the central theme. Despite 'Spinning,' which is a song I wrote about my Dad. I put it on the album because at the end of the day, no matter what breakups I've had, my Dad and my family, in general, have always been there for me, so it's a nice little reminder in the storyline.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
Probably the entire first verse of 'Spinning' "No one else you and me in this old house, they moved out left us, in the dust of the dark side, yeah but the moons bright, failed math failed it twice, but we laughed it off, Elton John classic songs it's the crime of the century spinning on repeat."
I love these lyrics so much. It describes my relationship with my Dad so well. After my mom passed away, it was just us. My brother moved to British Columbia; my sister already lived in Australia. So it was just us in this house. We listened to old records a lot, and in the lyrics above, Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' is referenced, same with Supertramp's 'Crime of The Century' and Elton John. My Dad is the only reason why I love the music I do. Without him, the GRAE that loves Michael and Janet Jackson, Prince, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, etc. (I could go on forever) wouldn't exist. I owe a lot to him for being there for me and supporting me as much as he has. I failed math in high school, and I remember him not getting mad at me; he continuously reassured me I would be a 'writer' and a 'singer,' haha. 'Spinning' is overall a very special track to me... and hey, I guess he was right; I ended up becoming that writer and singer after all.
If your album could be the soundtrack to any film - which would it be and why?
Honestly probably some underground coming-of-age indie film about lust, love, and heartbreak. It just has that vibe.
Now the album is out there - what next?
Shows, shows and more shows! I hope to perform this album as much as I can.
