Emerging from Chicago, Hazey Grace is the latest in a series of talented newcomers to invade our airwaves. Setting out on a mission to release music for the first time, Grace explains how he’s just starting out, slowly finding his artistry and building on it. Well, it’s all working rather well!
‘Daydream’ is Hazey’s debut EP, and if it’s anything to go by, he’s in for a bright career. Navigating indie and rock territories, Grace alternates between euphoric fuzziness, friendly distortion and approachable, mellow elements. The American creative showcases his eclectic and kaleidoscopic artistry, ultimately flourishing through his emotional and heartfelt songwriting, so relatable yet so unique.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Hazey Grace to find out more about his artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey Hazey, how is it going? some of our readers might not be familiar with your project, how would you describe yourself, in a few words?
I’m doing really good! I would describe myself as just a regular-ish guy who just so happens to make music.
Your current work is the result of a long journey; What first drew you to making music?
Even as early as elementary school, I always thought about making music and being an artist. As I got older though, that aspiration was put on the backburner until I got to college and then I realized that the only “career” worth going after was what I had always been passionate about, which is music.
If you had the opportunity to pick any artists in the world for a collaboration, who would be your first choice? (and second choice, perhaps?)
Wow… That’s a tough one. If I had to pick one, it’d be a close race but it’d be Kevin Parker followed extremely close by Josh Homme. Those two have done so much for my musical taste, it’d be interesting to see what would happen with either one.
You have just released a stunning EP, ‘Daydream’. Quite an impressive record for a debut piece, the production is nuanced and eclectic, with your dynamic vocals crowning it all. Are you satisfied with the record, and would you say it represents you as an artist?
Thank you for the kind words! Am I satisfied? Yes and no. I’m very proud of what I was able to do but there’s always that moment where you listen back and you think “Oh if I’d done this…” or “Oh if I didn’t do this…” Regardless, I love how it sounds as a first record and all the lessons I learned making it will flow over into the next one. It represents me as an artist right now, but I think that’ll change once the next one rolls around.
Do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
I like to write by myself for the most part. It feels a little more honest.
Are you more of a songwriter or a producer? Do you value more the lyrical aspect of a track, or its sonic qualities?
It depends on the song really. There are some songs that I love that are almost poetic with the lyrics but then there are other songs that I love that are so sonically pleasing with little lyrics. I guess it’s about context. I think both options are good ways to convey an emotion/message but I’d have to say I lean more towards the lyrical aspect.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
As stupid as it sounds, it horrifies me to talk to my friends and family about my music. So when I started the studio sessions for the project, I didn’t really tell my parents where I was going or if friends wanted to make plans I lied and said I was working. I’m much better about it now.
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
I’ve begun writing and recording for what may be my first album… A lot different of material compared to the EP. I don’t want to say too much right now, but stay tuned to my socials for updates.
