GRACE, WE ALL WATCHED YOU ASCEND TO THE 2017 FINAL OF THE X-FACTOR AND WITNESSED YOUR INCREDIBLE MUSICAL AND SONGWRITING TALENTS; NOW YOU'RE BACK WITH A NEW SINGLE 'I MET A BOY ONLINE’, WHICH HAS ALREADY RECEIVED PRAISE FROM POPJUSTICE, OFFICAL CHARTS AND GIRLS ARE AWESOME. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE THIS SONG ALREADY RECEIVING SUCH GREAT SUPPORT?

Honestly, it's been mind-blowing to see the support from publications I admire so much. I've been a massive fan of Popjustice for so long and followed their NMF playlist on Spotify, as I really respect their opinion. To see me on that playlist and being described as a 'rising star' by Official Charts is so crazy to me. Everyone has been so kind and it's just amazing to be taken so seriously as an artist and writer, especially after being on a TV show - something I was expecting to struggle with a lot post X Factor.

YOU SEEM TO BARE YOUR SOUL IN EACH OF YOUR SONGS – IS 'I MET A BOY ONLINE’ ALSO INSPIRED BY YOUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES? AND DOES IT HELP YOU TO DEAL WITH THESE EXPERIENCES WHEN YOU WRITE THEM DOWN?

I think writing comes so much more naturally to me when it's from the heart and something I've experienced before. ‘i met a boy online’ is precisely my story, word for word, and I think that's part of the reason I love it so much. The lyrics are very transparent and conversational, it's the sort of conversation you'd have with your friends - and that's what I did. I guess writing my experiences down and putting them into songs is kind of like writing a diary or going to therapy, for me. It helps me get everything out of my brain and it definitely helps me deal with situations and overcome those emotions, but also letting other people in on my stories and hearing them relate to my words makes me feel less alone.

YOU OVERSEE EVERY ELEMENT OF YOUR MUSIC; WHAT’S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN YOU FIRST START WRITING OR CREATING A SONG?

I normally just sit at my piano and see what comes out - normally quite unprepared. I find this is the easiest way when there is an all-consuming event going on in my life because it's fresh off the press and I can really get out how I'm feeling in that exact moment. I'll play whatever chords my hands want to press on the piano, and just see what comes out! I'm always planning ahead, however, and if you could see my voice notes and notes apps on my phone - it would stress you out! I just jot everything down and they normally make zero sense. Sometimes I wake up at 4am and start recording because I've just come up with something in my dream [laughs]. If I don't have a definite concept for a song on the day, I always rely on my trusty notes of random lyrics and melodies that I can piece together.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HABITS THAT HELP (OR HINDER) YOUR CREATIVITY?

I'm a major perfectionist and control freak - which both helps and hinders [laughs]. I love spending my free time researching how to be better at things, whether that be teaching myself piano, teaching myself music production, how to use photo and video editing software for artwork or visualisers, etc. It all helps when you can be hands-on, but sometimes I struggle to let things go into the hands of others, which is definitely annoying for my team. I try to do every little element of a project by myself because I have this mindset of ‘if I don't do it myself, it won't get done properly' - which is my own trust issues talking. It's great to want to be involved in everything and do everything yourself if you can, but I also have to remind myself that people have those specific job roles for a reason - it's what they're best at and sometimes I need to let go.

IN THE PAST, YOU’VE DESCRIBED YOUR MUSIC AS ‘SAD GIRL POP’. WERE THERE ANY ARTISTS YOU LISTENED TO THAT HELPED TO INFLUENCE OR INSPIRE THIS?

I really started becoming fully interested in music when the likes of Adele, Sam Smith, and Emeli Sande came on the scene. I just loved the honesty in their lyrics and how timeless it was, but mainly how it made me feel something. I think people like Julia Michaels inspired me lyrically, she's such a storyteller when it comes to lyrics and I connect with her music massively.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PROJECT OR COLLABORATION? AND IS IT SOMETHING YOUR FANS COULD POSSIBLY SEE IN THE FUTURE?

I actually started out in 2016 doing a lot of writing for dance/house producers, and I used to vocal a few of them too - so I think this is definitely something I can see myself going back to for a feature in the future. I think what Clean Bandit, Rudimental, Joel Corry, and Jax Jones do is amazing. They give artists and songwriters a platform into being an artist in their own right off the back of a feature, and I love that kind of music too! My dream collab would be with someone like James Bay, James Arthur, Lewis Capaldi, George Ezra, or Niall Horan - I love their voices and music and I think it would be amazing to do a duet like that, but this is quite literally 'in my dreams' [laughs].

WERE THERE ANY MOMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULDN’T BE SUCCESSFUL AS A SINGER-SONGWRITER? IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE MOMENTS?

There's for sure been specific moments, and times where I've thought I should pack it all in - it's something I have felt, and still feel, up until this day. You just never know how long things are going to last in this industry and whether this very moment is the most successful you'll ever be, so I've very much become a 'take in this moment and don't take it for granted' person. I think that's what keeps me grounded and makes me appreciate each bit of success as it comes. It's such a competitive industry, so I always remind myself that no matter what happens in the future I'll always be grateful for getting as far as I did.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW IF IT WASN'T FOR YOUR MUSIC CAREER?

Definitely interior design. It's my biggest passion aside from music, and when music went from being my hobby to my full-time job, I had to make sure I had another passion outside of music to keep me sane - so I spend my time up-cycling furniture and spending my pocket money on new candles and cushions [laughs]. I love it!

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I think the way artists and writers are paid outside the live music industry makes it very hard for people starting out and can be quite an off-putting side of the music industry for someone wanting to join it. Most of the major streaming platforms pay less than half a penny per stream, which is then divided between artists, labels, managers, writers, etc. It's a full-time job that essentially doesn't pay until you 'make it' and it's something everyone massively struggles with. Artists and writers don't get paid to be in writing sessions. Unless they have a publishing deal or get a cut, no one earns any money from writing music. I know some artists are starting to give writers on their tracks 3% of the master each - which I think all major artists who can afford the slightest dip in income should be starting to do - and then perhaps in the future it can be a mandatory part of the industry.

YOU’RE SET TO RELEASE MORE NEW MATERIAL THIS YEAR WHICH YOUR FANS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT! WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU?

Lots and lots of ‘salads’, aka sad ballads! This year I want to go back to basics and do what I do best, which is releasing honest, sad AF music that is quintessential 'me' - and I'm very excited for the world to hear it.

Grace Has just released her bold cover of Goo Goo Dolls IRIS listen below.

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