GRACE GARDNER
Now making music in Philadelphia by way of small town Texas, Grace Gardner is pushing the boundaries of the singer/songwriter genre with thoughtful, self-done production. Their writing takes on an evocative nature, unafraid to “say the ugly thing” while making well-crafted observations and takeaways in their lyrics. While their music adopts many of the genre’s characteristics, Grace found inspiration in their parents’ taste in 70s and 80s rock, in the folk roots of their southern upbringing, and in the jazz they were surrounded with while residing in New Orleans.
Grace’s inspirations started with eclectic powerhouse women from the 1970s — namely Carole King and Stevie Nicks. The works of Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile, and KT Tunstall swarmed through their wired earbuds in middle school. As Grace started honing in on their own musical style, finding the intersection between soft rock, indie, and folk, she’s taken even more inspiration from artists like Madison Cunningham and Adam Melchor.
Grace incorporates live complex instrumentation with experimental (by way of self-learned) production. Grace plays ten instruments – primarily and most fondly, guitar – and weaves orchestral, brass, percussive, sampling, and software-based elements into their creations. Along with being a singer, songwriter, and instrument player, Grace is also a producer, music educator, composer, and arranger.