Grace Sanders wowed us with her debut EP in 2021. She has now followed that up with a second, ‘Nothing Is Personal’. Described as a concept EP that sees Sanders and producer Ezekiel Padmanabham experimenting with the art-pop sound. From track to track to interlude, this is another stellar entry from the duo that shows that they feel free to explore and create what they want and how they want while maintaining their pop sensibilities. Ahead of Grace Sanders EP launch at Perth’’s Rosemount Hotel on December 3, we caught up with her to find out more about the EP, their creative process and more.

Congrats on the EP Grace, we absolutely love it. Can you tell us what this EP means to the you and what you want people to take away from it?

Thank you! I’m so happy you’re enjoying it. I think this EP signifies a profoundly transformative period in my life where I found a new sense of identity and resilience through vulnerability. I want people to take away whatever it brings up for them- I think it will hit everyone differently!

Who are some of your influences and why?

At the moment I’m really inspired by Kate Bush, Bjork, Parquet Courts, Rosalia, Blood Orange, Dry Cleaning, Caroline Polacheck, Soulwax, Japanese Breakfast, The Strokes and The Beach Boys. Zeke and I both listen to a lot of music- I don’t know if there is a WHY. I just find some artists and I feel like they’re honest and authentic and there is something intoxicating about that.

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

It’s always changing! Usually it starts with lyrics, concepts, feelings, experiences. Making new music now I think Ezekiel and I are getting freer and more experimental. The process for me though is always guided by a central idea I want to explore through sound and that informs everything else.

What do you think makes a great song?

A great song is just really uncompromising and honest. When someone peels their soul back and exposes it in their music you can just feel it. It’s not about trends or a hook or a sound it’s just rawness.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

A lot of people I want to collaborate with I would be too shy!!! Like Madvillian or Ye or Tyler would be so crazy. I think I could make a cool record with Vegyn though…and Zeke would probably say Jack Antonoff.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you each have?

We do all our own visuals and creative direction/styling which is a big outlet and something we’d both love to do for other artists too. Ezekiel can do anything he wants to do - he’s a graphic designer so he’s always making visual art, posters, fonts… that kind of thing. I make instillation sculptures as well and take a lot of film photos. We’re kind of both always trying to make different stuff… my next dream is to make lamps and jewellery!

Who are some local bands we should check out?

Lyndon Blue, Tanaya Harper, Nika Mo, Ben Aguero, Grievous Bodily Calm, Gazey, Brix, Mia June, Sakidasumi, Ghost Care, Saieesh, Haircare, Cooper Cooper (Midnight Elevator), Sarco, Adrian Dzvuke, POWnegro, Smolfish, Noah Dillon… there are so many!!!!

Winter or summer and why?

Neither!! Spring/Autumn.

What do you have planned for 2023?

Well… we’re going to tour nationally again hopefully LOTS. I’d love to travel internationally and work overseas too. I definitely want to explore making custom lamps and more set designs. Zeke is opening Patch studios… and we’ll start making another album! Watch this space!

‘Nothing Is Personal’ Single Launch

December 3 - Rosemount Hotel, Perth

Tickets

Follow Grace Sanders

Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Soundcloud

Facebook | Insta: @graceisanders | Youtube

A Quick Chat With Grace Sanders