After a vibrant run of form these last few years, London-based artist Grace Gachot keeps the vibes high once again with her tantilsing new single 'Built To Be Bad'.
Honing another heady dose of heartwarming aeshetics for her newest outing, 'Built To Be Bad' makes for a wonderfully rich and immersive listen. With its soaring piano-led score perfectly heightening her incredible vocal performance, she is definitely a name worth keeping a firm eye on for the months ahead.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and infleunces over the years.
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
The first kind of music I fell in love with was musical theatre. I remember watching school musicals as a child and being in complete awe of the performers! From there, I remember going to a Jessie J concert when I was around 10 years old and being entranced by her from beginning to end. It was in these small moments that I felt something shake inside my soul and I knew it meant something. From her stage presence to audience interaction and the way her incredible vocals echoed through the arena… I knew what I was seeing in front of my eyes was a future that I would dream of from then on.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
I didn’t ever necessarily form a band however, my best friend and I both loved singing. There were a few local talent shows as well performances around town that we took part in. Looking back now, we think its hilarious as we completely missed the mark… they are way too embarrassing and I truly hope there is no footage around to ever get uncovered! We would sing covers of our favourite pop songs of the time. We would sit in my bedroom for hours learning songs and splitting them up into duets. I remember feeling so much passion for what we were doing at the time, I’ll give us credit for that!
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
What I think is beautiful about songwriting, is that you often start young and I think your outlook on life is so incredibly different at the ages of 14, 18.. and for me, now 22. My primary inspiration has been a long-term relationship that I actually wrote about from 15 years old up until now however, my outlook on that relationship has changed as the years have progressed but it has definitely been my primary source of inspiration. My writing has documented meeting someone, falling for them, entering a long term relationship for the first time, falling deeply in love and then finally the bitter endings; betrayal, breakups and cheating. As much as I have been inspired by that relationship, I am also inspired by the amount of realisations and growth that occurs in these first few years of adulthood. Everyday is filled with lessons and we are constantly growing and developing new outlooks on situations so in my eyes, songwriting is just a documentation of your perspective in the different chapters of your life but it is ever-changing.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ by Roberta Flack! The lyrics capture feelings that are so difficult to describe yet the song communicates them effortlessly. It will always be special to me and inspire the way I write music.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
Recently, I entered a Tik Tok competition held by Radio 1 host, Jack Saunders. He asked musicians to submit music to him and he would be choosing a couple to share online. Thousands of emails were sent to him so I believed my chances were slim, however, one day I saw that he had mentioned me in a Tik Tok and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was so shocked. He had chosen my song ‘Built To Be Bad’ and that feeling of excitement was one that I would give anything to relieve! Jack has since played it on his radio show a couple of times, I am so grateful to him and his support.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
At the moment, I am loving Stephen Sanchez. I really feel he is our modern ticket to the classic love songs we miss. His retro style, sound and aesthetic is incredibly inspiring to me and I can imagine dreaming up a live show exploring these themes together to create something really beautiful.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
JP Saxe is an artist I have admired for a few years now! His songs are some of the most intelligently crafted songs I have ever heard and his music always sends me into a spiral of unpacking his lyricism. He is a dream collaboration of mine as I feel that two extreme over thinkers would create for quite a lyrically interesting duet… I would also just love to learn from his process!
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
My audience is everything to me! I really hope that I will have a devoted audience who I share a deep connection with. I would love to help people through difficult times and allow them to realise they are not alone in the emotions they are experiencing. If my music can become a safe space to millions of people around the world, then that will be everything to me. I would also love to be playing live shows with musicians I adore, releasing large bodies of work, continuously pushing my own boundaries and striving on making a positive difference for people around the world.
Grace Gachot's new single 'Built To Be Bad' is out now. Watch the new video for it below.