Songwriter Interview – Grace Parry

Grace Parry talks about her music career and what inspired her new single You Get Me on The Table Read, “The Best entertainment magazine in the UK“.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed singer songwriter Grace Parry about her music career, what inspires her, and her creative process.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

My name is Grace Parry, I am a singer / songwriter from Swansea and I have been performing now for around 12 years!

When did you first WANT to write songs?

I started writing songs when I was 11. I never really used to fit in in school , I always felt a bit of an outcast. I got bullied for years and I was too ashamed to talk to anyone so I just used to write songs on my piano and it all stemmed from there.

When did you take a step to start writing songs?

I used to write about real experiences and how I was feeling. That was my escapism.

What was your first song released, and what was it about?

The first song I released was called Deceit. It was written from both a male and female perspective and it was about infidelity and heartbreak. It’s about thinking You know someone but how they can manipulate you through lies. It’s quite a sad song.

What was your latest song released, and what was it about?

The latest song I released was called ‘You Get Me’ I wrote it for My partner Mike Gwynne. It’s about finding that one person who gets you like nobody else. It was produced by My producer Lynise and when we were writing it he actually said ‘You should write this for your man’ so that’s exactly what I did.

The song is about meeting someone you just click with and that knows what your thinking and gets You 100 % ( in My case , all my weird ways too ) It’s about now only finding love but Your best friend too.

Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with You Get Me?

There weren’t any challenges with it as such because I just wrote how i was feeling. My producer Lynise said I should write it for Mike so I just wrote exactly how I felt about him.

How many songs are you working on right now?

I’m working on about three at the moment! One is finished and the other two are half finished but I have a catalogue of songs to chose which songs are going to go on the EP which I will finally be releasing this year!

Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?

I don’t mean to stick to a certain theme but quite often that happens as I do prefer writing ballads but I am writing more upbeat songs as well to keep my music versatile.

What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?

My favourite song I’ve recorded is a song called ‘Say I do’ which is a song I wrote for my friends Tom and Leigh for their wedding. I love that because it means something to them and I think so many couples can relate.

Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?

Absolutely. I listen to a lot of ballads but ny favourites are Ed Sheeran and Callum Scott.

Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?

I write my own music and lyrics but My producer Lynise is a brilliant musician and he always makes the best of my music.

My songs are usually voice recordings on my phone of me playing the piano and singing the first thing that comes into my head ( more often than not ) I take my ideas to the studio and that’s where the bare bones of a song are developed.

Do you play any instruments?

Yes , I play the piano!

Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?

I love performing live and have done so now for around 12 years! I am always gigging and doing live shows so keep an eye on my social Media outlets ‘Grace Parry Music’

Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?

Yes! All my music is available for digital download on Spotify and Itunes and I also have a few unreleased tracks on My Youtube Channel.

Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?

Before the restrictions came in , music was my full time job but I currently work full time as a sales representative at our family run business Tomos Watkin Brewery as well as performing and releasing original music.

What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?

That sometimes, the best songs don’t need overthinking.

Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?

I remember I sang a song I wrote a few years ago ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ at a gig and a couple of people started crying in the audience.

Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?

I will be performing at The Maggies Cancer charity ladies ball this Friday, Mainstage Cardiff this Saturday at 4PM and I will also be performing this May at the Unsigned Music Festival in Kent.

What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?

Follow Your Heart. Music is the greatest way of expressing yourself not only as a person but as an artist.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment?

Was it worth the effort? Not yet! I have a long way to go but I am determined to follow my dreams!

Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvqkU0IDn5p0Ufe8b7Kd0g
Grace Parry – YouTube
Grace Parry is a Singer/Songwriter from South Wales.
www.youtube.com

Instagram – Grace Parry Music
Facebook – Grace Parry Music

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