Hailing from sun-soaked California, Grace Gaustad is shaking up the game with their unapologetic pop-tinged hits – driven home by their unapologetic queerness. With storytelling at the forefront of their practice, Gaustad is able to viscerally share with us their layered inner world. Fighting for the underdogs, especially minority groups, Gaustad is propelled to great heights by their Gen Z fanbase – capturing their hearts, and ears, with their unrelenting message of inclusivity.
Gaustad’s latest releases comes out as part of the subversive project PILLBX: whts ur fantasy?. Dreamed up as the sequel to Gaustad’s 2021 album BLKBX: wht r u hding? – this new project sees a subversive stream of bit-by-bit releases. A recent part of the album to make its way into the world is “Nothing To Me”. Anthemic and defiant, this track sees Guastad’s vocals meander between pulsing synths, and electrifying pop instrumentals. The artist’s captivating lyricism is the cherry on top – as lyrics such as “Swallowed my pride at the liquor cabinet/Falling for you is my favourite habit” are undeniably addictive. Accompanied by an equally invigorating, heady music video – Gaustad brings together a myriad of artistic mediums to bring their message to the forefront.
Gaustad’s most recent release, “The Cloud”, is one of the most compelling, cinematic and emotional from them to date. Accompanied by a visually immersive video that raises the stakes of the narrative that has been unravelling through the visuals, the cut is powerful, dramatic and focused, beginning minimally before building up by the driven instrumental into an uplifting pop banger. Further highlighting Grace’s star power and relentless talent, we can’t wait for the next glimpse into the artist’s visionary mind.
With such a stellar track record, and unparalleled creative practice – we tip our hats. So much so, that we sat down with Gaustad to pick their brains about their soaring career so far. From how they planted their roots in music, and the importance of storytelling, to what else is to come – we covered it all.
Head below to watch the music video for Grace Gaustad’s single “The Cloud”…
Head below to see our interview…
Hey Grace! Where are we speaking to you from?
I’m at my home in Los Angeles, California.
What’s the last thing you thought about last night?
My upcoming writing sessions for the week and all the feelings I’d like to express through new music.
Who are some artists on your current rotation?
Taylor Swift is always on heavy rotation for me anytime of the year. More recently though I’ve been listening to music from The Foo Fighters and The Goo Goo Dolls! They make some of my favourite feel good records.
Could you talk us through how you got your start in music?
I was infatuated by music and the piano very early. I began playing at age 5 and never looked back! I spent a lot of time as a child cultivating my craft in recording sessions, theatre performances, dance classes, and singing lessons. I simply couldn’t get enough of the creativity of singing and songwriting. It remains a true love of mine.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? Did you play it for anyone?
My mom used to joke about how I would write these ‘20’ minute songs as a kid where I would sing my stream of consciousness without a care in the world. Once I got a little bit older though, around 8 or 9 I began writing songs that were properly formatted and structured for pop music.
Who are some artists that have influenced your sound?
I’ve been heavily influenced by all the huge pop acts of the last 20 years or so like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran ect. alongside being influenced by my parents taste in artists like The Beatles, Madonna, and Michael Jackson! I’ve got a well rounded group!
You’ve just released an art pop track “The Cloud”, could you talk us through the artistic process behind it?
The Cloud is a song that’s all about the feeling of loneliness we experience when we’re so intertwined with our phones instead of the real world around us. I wanted The Cloud to be a song that felt all consuming, almost like technology is eating us alive. The track features heavy synths accompanied by both heavy hitting and gentle vocals. It creates a feeling of uncertainty for the listener and that’s exactly what I was going for.
The accompanying music video is also great. How involved are you in the visual side of things?
I’m very involved in every aspect of my projects. From the video concepts to the wardrobe, creative direction, styling, production etc you can find me all hands on deck. I’m an artist who knows what they want and has a very clear vision so I make sure that vision is always properly executed.
What can you tell us about your upcoming album PILLBX: whts ur fantasy?
My album PILLBX: whts ur fantasy is a project all about our deepest desires and fantasies as human beings. I made tracks about what it would be like to live in an alternate universe where anything you’ve ever possibly dreamed could come true.
Could you explain your choice to release the project song by song?
Much like my first album BLKBX wht r u hding, PILLBX is a storytelling album and the best stories require you to keep reading. The projects are designed to tell a linear story from start to finish and each video and song leads into the next one with purpose. I release the songs one at a time just how our favorite TV shows make us wait till the following week to continue the story.
And, why did you opt for a miniseries to go along with it?
I’m a storyteller at heart so I don’t think I’d ever write an album that doesn’t have some sort of storytelling aspect to it.
What advice would you give young, especially queer, artists who are just starting out making music?
I think the best advice I could give a young artist is do the work. Write the songs, play the instruments, and fall in love with your craft. I also think that music should have a message. For a young artist, your first step should be figuring out what you want to say and who you want to say it to.
Lastly, where do you see yourself headed over the next year?
I see myself continuing to write my third album while PILLBX continues its rollout and hopefully I’ll be back on a stage this year for some live shows. I’m really looking forward to the vibe of live music again.