Gracey - Major League Bites Event
Major League Baseball have partnered with hip-burger joint Patty & Bun to create the ultimate baseball viewing experience – Major League Bites. At the closing party this Tuesday evening, Gracey will be performing live alongside Foundation FM, a female led community radio station and record label.
British rising popstar, singer and songwriter Gracey, aka Grace Barker is a BRIT-nominated and platinum selling artist. Her latest EP ‘Fragile’ released 15th October and is available now.
Born in Brighton, Gracey started writing songs when she was 7 years old, she studied at BRIT School and at 16, her songwriting talents were spotted by Universal publishing’s Brian Higgins, who found her work on Soundcloud. He signed her, helped her develop her writing and went onto prestigious songwriting camps.
Before becoming a singer, she wrote songs for Sub Focus, Rita Ora, Girls Aloud, Olly Murs, Jonas Blue, MJ Cole and Kylie Minogue. She wrote the Top 20, platinum-selling dance hit by Jonas Blue smash hit - By Your Side
Gracey sat down with Wordplay Magazine to chat about all things music and baseball!
1. Tell us about your upcoming gig at Major League Bites...
I'm so excited to do a show tonight with Major League Baseball in celebration of the World Series! I’m so happy we get to enjoy the return of live music and these big sport events together, we've been missing those moments of celebrating in person!
2. What made you want to collaborate with Major League Baseball?
They seem to be doing fun collabs making baseball more accessible. This is a cool one to be a part of where sport meets music and food!
3. So, tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I think one of the key moments was long car journeys as a kid. Almost every weekend growing up, we’d head off to see family who lived about 2 hours away and in that time I’d get to listen to all of our family favourites, including the likes of Blondie, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell. I think it really sparked my obsession with songwriting and I quickly started to find my favourites!
4. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I mean the artists I just named above were definitely a huge musical inspiration! I was also obsessed with No Doubt/Gwen Stefani through my teens so she will always be up there!
5. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
I think a huge part of building and growing as a new artist is through live music and touring, so not being able to do that definitely was tricky. I think through lockdown it was always a case of trying to think outside the box in order to keep things going and forming genuine connections with people who’d been listening to my music, so I did a fair share of Zoom gigs, live streams and virtual hang outs! But I must say, since starting to do IRL gigs this summer, there’s nothing quite like it! Another reason why I’m excited for tonight!
6. How would you describe your sound?
I just dropped my new EP Fragile, which sums it up quite well. It’s a collection of upbeat sad songs, with the idea that you could either dance or have a good cry to them depending on your mood in the moment. It’s basically synth lead, alt-pop with some fun melodies and some very honest, cut deep lyrics.
7. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
In June 2019 I had to have a vocal surgery to save my voice, which was one of the scariest moments of my life. Exactly one year on in 2020 to the day, I was celebrating my first ever top 10 song. It felt very full circle and emotional for so many reasons, but it really showed me how much can happen in a year if you work hard and stay positive.
8. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I guess work hard and stay positive really is a huge part of it. It’s all about backing yourself and patience! We are all learning and figuring it out as we go, so if you’re open to that, you got it. Don’t be afraid to share your work in progress either, I’ve recently learnt not everything has to be ‘perfect’, but just your best in the moment.
9. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
I just did a festival with an artist called Lola Young and her voice is unbelievable! There’s also a girl called Mathilda Homer who is the same, I could literally listen to her sing all day. Check them out!
10. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I’m still hooked on the Blue Weekend album by Wolf Alice, been rinsing it this year. Lorde, Taylor Swift, and Phoebe Bridgers are always on heavy rotation in my household, and I think Sour by Olivia Rodrigo is a no skipper too.
11. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Be with my loved ones.
12. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
A notebook to doodle in, a comfy chair, and cables that actually work hahah.
13. And finally, who are you rooting for the Astro’s or the Braves?
I’m gunna go for whoever the underdog is at the current moment! Love a good underdog story me!