Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Grace.
Hi Avery, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m 19 and a singer-songwriter originally from Santa Cruz, California. I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember, but I never got the courage to actually pursue music until December of 2019 and I started vocal lessons only a few months before that. So, clearly, I’m new to all of this.
To put it simply, I grew up in sports. I didn’t grow up in the arts. My family is full of athletes so my life in sports was already set for me. My love for singing and writing music happened behind closed doors in my bedroom. Not because my parents didn’t support me, but because I didn’t believe in it and I never told anyone. I never thought I was any good. I just liked the feeling. It was a way to get out my emotions.
Over time, I realized that competing in athletics wasn’t necessarily making me happy. My body craved artistic expression, but pursuing music wasn’t an option yet. To be honest, it never even crossed my mind. It was a secret hobby that I never wanted to leave my bedroom. Again, I never thought I was any good. I never told my family that I was genuinely interested in pursuing music because I didn’t even know I was.
So, I started dancing. Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, you name it. I was in it. I danced five hours a day, five days a week. I loved it. I will always love dancing. It’s such a beautiful way to express and connect with yourself. It was also a way for me to connect with music without making my own. I hope to continue dancing for as long as I can.
I started taking singing and songwriting seriously after attending the Gathered Broadway program in New York City in the summer before my Junior year. I went to this program for dance, but singing and acting were included as well. I was so nervous. I felt like I didn’t know the first thing about singing or acting. I was especially nervous for singing because the program entailed singing in front of broadway professionals and stars. Surprisingly, I ended up feeling better in the singing portion rather than the dancing portion.
After that summer, I got up the courage to start up vocal lessons in my hometown with Bobbie Ward. One day, Bobbie asked me if I’ve ever written a song or tried writing. Part of me wanted to shy away and say no. But, I decided to open up and share one of my songs. Everything took off from there. Bobbie helped me make connections with producers and people in the industry. I wouldn’t be where I am without her and her help. That led to me releasing my first single, “Wake Me in the Morning” in August of 2020. In December, I released my second single, “Tease”. Only June 11th of this year, I released my first EP, “Bummer”, which I worked on with Alina Smith from LYRE Music.
I will be the first to admit that I barely know anything about the world of music compared to artists that have been in the industry for years. But, I’m committed to challenging myself, learning and growing everyday. Singing, writing, playing instruments, and music in general make me happy. One of the main reasons that I stepped outside of my comfort zone to pursue music is because I saw small artists pushing the boundaries and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. So, I hope I can do that for someone else. This might be cheesy to say, but I love that music is universal. Music truly can bring people together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it’s been the smoothest road, but I also haven’t had to face too many obstacles getting to where I am right now. I feel so lucky and grateful for what I have and how that’s helped me start to pursue music. Mainly I feel lucky that I was able to gain the support from my family. I know that with the arts, it’s not always common so I feel so thankful to have that.
Without going into extreme detail of all the obstacles that I’ve faced along the way, one of the biggest challenges regarding music was managing both music and school. I’m a sophomore in college so I had to adapt to remote learning while teaching myself about the music industry, singing, recording, marketing, etc.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter who has been mainly releasing pop songs with hints of RnB. So far, I have two singles out titled “Wake Me in the Morning” and “Tease”. On June 11th, I released my debut EP, “Bummer”. I’m so proud of it. I worked on this EP with Alina Smith from LYRE Music which I am forever thankful for.
As for future projects, I want to follow in the footsteps of artists who are breaking the genre barrier in music. Music shouldn’t have restrictions or limits. While I’ve been experimenting with Pop in my recent releases, I want to move into the world of Pop Punk, Pop Rock, and Alternative Music. I also would love to experiment with some RnB. To put it simply, I don’t want to be labeled or put in a box. I just want to make music that I would listen to and means something to me and could mean something to someone else. Not to be cheesy and cliche, but If I could touch one person through music, I’d be content.
For as long as I can remember, music has been my safe place. I listen to music all the time. Music helps me touch into my feelings and where I’m at in life. It helps me think. As for what I listen to, for as long as I can remember, my music taste has been so random. Growing up, I listened to Ke$ha and Avril Lavigne as well as Katy Perry and Demi Lovato then on to Pink Floyd, Motley Crue, Blink 182, and Beastie Boys to My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Evanescence, and so many more. One day I’d be listening to Etta James and the next I’d be listening to Falling in Reverse. My music taste is all over the place. Honestly, I think it really helps my creative process for my own music.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is happiness. Simple as that. Whether that’s doing music or not, I hope that my future is full of happiness in whatever form that ends up being. Then, I’ll feel successful. Not to say I’m not happy now, but I want to live my life so that my future is full of happiness as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: averygraceofficial@
gmail.com - Website: https://www.liinks.
co/averygrace - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/avrygrce/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ averygraceofficial/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/UCPwkjIkRuTlibZ- x2SEIhGg/videos - SoundCloud: https://
soundcloud.com/ averygraceofficial - Other: https://open.spotify.
com/artist/ 1LZA1ogH8dv88KVinABKBy?si= sFgd_BGcSGievn1wpFIGpw&dl_ branch=1
Image Credits:
Trinity Maxon InHerImage Photography “Bummer” Artwork Drawn by Avery Grace
