Hailing from the East Coast of NSW, Australia, Gracie Jean is a storyteller, artist, nature lover and Christian with a lot of feelings. As a timid child music became an outlet to express her feelings when her confidence in short supply. Encouraged by her grandfather who pitch tested her at 5 years of age, and saw incredible potential in her abilities, Gracie began to discover who she was in music and what she was truly capable of, leading her to the journey she is living today.

Gracie Jean is new to the music scene and has been sauntering up onto stages around Sydney’s Inner-West, getting audiences to smile, and tap their toes to original tunes.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?

I would describe it as alternative country. All the songs tell a story.

This album could be described as a ‘sad girl starter pack’. I like to pair sad, melancholic thoughts with uplifting melodies and harmony.

Who are some artists that you have been inspired by?

There are so many.. Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Adrienne Lenker, the Staves, Lennon and Maisy, Gretta Ray, Julien Baker, Country Marie Andrews, Kacey Musgraves..

What is your album, ‘Romance Is Bad’ about? Is there a story or message within the song that you’re wanting to portray?

The whole album is a collection of songs that I wrote in times when I was feeling down. They are all sad songs from a relatively happy life.

I really wanted to convey the idea that it’s okay to feel sad, and to voice that sadness. I think often people tend to try and avoid all sad feelings. We put on masks and we ‘switch off’ the sadness when we interact with one another.

I just wanted to make an album on songs where I said exactly what was on my mind. I want these songs to inspire vulnerability in others.

What life experiences have shaped your album?

It totally has. My life has been a series of struggles, one after the other.

I have been living with clinical depression my whole life, and my mum has been affected by chronic heart failure for the past 6 years. I’ve also had to witness my parents’ marriage breakdown, and my own fair share of breakups. Sometimes life is just hard, and you must make a choice, sink or swim.

So far, I’ve chosen to swim every single time. My songs are inspired by all the people I know who must carry so much on their shoulders every day, and who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and to share their struggles with people who love them.

I would love to see a world where in our communities or families we carry one another’s burdens and aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help.

What did the creative process look like as you wrote this album?

Songwriting comes to me in sets, similar to waves at the beach. Sometimes there is a long time between sets.

These songs all came to me really quickly when I took a moment to slow down and process my thoughts and feelings. Our bodies carry around sadness that our minds aren’t ready to process yet, and after months of feeling physically tired, when I finally took a break, my mind finally started to process everything. It was hard, but cathartic, and really important.

What has been the best part of your musical journey so far?

One of the highlights was a set I did at a small café-lounge in Darlinghurst. It was the first time I was ever paid to sing a set of originals, and I was so stoked. I also have fond memories of my graduating recital when I finished my music degree. Performing to a sold-out venue was exhilarating.

What are your plans for future releases?

I’m hoping to release an EP in 2023

A Quick Chat with Gracie Jean