theaussieword.com special interview with Australian singer/songwriter Abbey Grace.
Tell us how it all started. What had you first interested in music?
Growing up I had always loved singing and dancing around the house to music but really fell in love with it when I first started piano at age 7 and when I began singing when I was 10. I was just really drawn to playing the piano and would play all day everyday, I loved the feeling of being able to sing and play the songs I’d grown up loving.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
There are a few things that motivate and influence me in my quest to make great music. Being able to write music is such an emotional release for me and basically works as a diary of the things that happen to me and of the things that happen in life. I know songwriting is a field I want to continually grow and mature in, so this motivates me to practice writing all the time and to dive deeper into emotions and circumstances to create music that is meaningful. I am also motivated in my quest to make great music by other artists who are so open, passionate and poetic in their music, they inspire to me be honest in my own music and to not be afraid to express myself.
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
My biggest goal I hope to accomplish as an artist is to be able to make a career out of songwriting and performing. It would be a literal dream come true if I could perform my own songs every day or write music for the rest of my life! As I’ve just released my first EP “Wonderland”, one of my next big goals is to release and write a full album.
Success, what is the secret to it?
The secret to success is to work hard and to love what you do! Always try and take every opportunity to go out and gain experience and put 100% into everything you do. You learn so much and gain more confidence when you practice hard and take each chance to go out and perform.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I’ve been really fortunate to have a few career highlights; one of my biggest highlights has been recording my first EP of originals “Wonderland” over the last couple of years. I’ve just released the EP on iTunes and other media platforms (it was distributed by Vocal Art Studios’ VAS Entertainment), which as been extremely exciting! I was also fortunate to be the runner up in Youth Category of the Australian Songwriting Competition this year with my original song “Aftershock.”
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
Ed Sheeran is one singer/songwriter that I really look up to. His dedication to his craft and his passion for being totally honest in his music and supportive of other artists is something I find really inspiring. I remember him saying in an interview that he had a rough start breaking into the industry, often having no couch to sleep on at night. His perseverance and drive to start a successful career in music and his passion for songwriting reminds me that anything is possible if you work hard.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
I intend to study a bachelor of music performance when I finish year 12 this year and eventually study music overseas! I definitely see my self still writing and performing a few years from now. Ultimately, my goal is to be a professional musician or be involved in music in someway for the rest of life.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Although it is a tough industry, there so many different avenues you can go down in the music industry which is really exciting. Internet has completely changed the way you can connect with your audience and gain exposure for your music. With the Internet, you can build a fanbase, release videos and your own music independently with the click of a button. Although it can still be often difficult to have your music heard on massive platforms like YouTube and Facebook due to the large amount of content that is posted each day, it has given undiscovered artists a place to release their music and gain exposure.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
My favorite Aussie artists include Delta Goodrem (who was the first female artist I looked up to as a kid), Guy Sebastian, Sia (her music is so different and powerful) and Keith Urban as I’m a huge fan of country music!
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
This year I will be focusing mainly on completing year 12, however, you can expect to see me at some gigs on weekends! You can also keep up to date with my songwriting and performances via my facebook page: Abbey Grace Music
Tell us a bit about your latest record, how would you best describe your music?
My latest record was written when I was between 14 and 16 years old. It was inspired by many things such as overcoming hardships, the journey of becoming my own person and even parts of my childhood such as fairytales. I would best describe my music as a fusion of pop, country and folk.
Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?
At this point in time my only project for this year is completing year 12 and aiming for a high score in music performance! I will still be continually writing music and performing all year. I also hope to collaborate with other artists.
Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today?
Thanks so much for interviewing me! I appreciate your support! You can check out my EP “Wonderland” on iTunes and other major media platforms.
Website: abbeygracemusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AbbeyGraceMusic
Twitter: twitter.com/abbeygracemusic
YouTube: youtube.com/AbbeyGraceMusic
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