With winter settling in, we’re embracing all things festive and that includes grentperez’s new releases “Please Come Home for Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. Perfect for those blisteringly cold days in front of the flickering fireplace, the artist leads us into a simplistic slow-burning soundscape filled with warming lyricism and soulful melodies. Picking up the pace slightly for his second release, the artist adds more jazz-tinged melodies and drums, before landing at the serene chorus.

“I really uphold quality family time when it comes to Christmas, the artist teases “The idea of being at home where it’s safe and warm, surrounded by the people you love and love you truly warms my heart. These two songs have always sat very close with me.”

Having spent the last few months keeping us entertained with a series of clever reworks and covers, the artist is ready to venture out of his comfort zone in the new year, teasing that he is ready to head back on the road. Sitting down with his virtually, the artist gets candid on his rapid rise to fame and the pressures he’s felt.

Check out the interview today…

Heya! How are you? How has this past year been for you?
I’ve been well! Although this year has definitely been an emotional rollercoaster, with a large portion of the year spent in lockdown, it really only felt like I lived half of it haha.

How would you sum up 2021 in one word?
I’d say ‘Growth’.

How did you first get into music, what sparked the interest?
I’m sure that my interests in music stem from my parents and further but I think what truly got me INto music would be my siblings. They would always sing around the house, recording covers and encouraging me to do the same. I loved the music they listened to and tried to mimic what i heard!

Where are you from? Do you think your hometown impacted your sound in anyway?
I’m from Western Sydney, Aus. I don’t believe my hometown impacted it at all, I think what prompted the music I do now would be from being exposed to various RnB artists from my siblings as well as old 70s Folk Groups from my parents.

You’ve attracted millions of streams so early on, have you felt a pressure in anyway?
There’s definitely a feeling of pressure when it comes to writing my music, but overall as of right now the pressure is very minimal. I do sometimes get the occasional worry with deadlines and various content creation pieces, but it’s all part of this road I chose to take, so it’s nothing i’m not prepared for.

And now you’ve just dropped two Christmas covers, what made you want to do these?
I really uphold quality family time when it comes to Christmas, the idea of being at home where it’s safe and warm, surrounded by the people you love and love you truly warms my heart. These two songs have always sat very close with me.

What do you want people to take away from your music?
I’d like for them to leave with a story, maybe, with an image of what’s happening in the song. I want them to feel like they’re experiencing something they haven’t!

Who would you say inspires you?
In terms of artists I would say, Bread, Rex Orange County, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean and possibly Don McLean. Within people however, I would say my parents, I love who they are and the things they’ve taught me. As I grow older and spend more time with them, I come to terms with all of our similarities and I find it funny, I would love to grow the way they did.

What is next for you? What are you most excited for in 2022?
Honestly, next year is a bit of a mystery for me too! I’m definitely excited to be travelling if all the plans go through, but I’m very very keen on getting myself around and showing the world just who I am and the music that comes with.