Gracie is a dog walker from Philadelphia. He’s a jokester, picking fun with those he loves. He’s modest, afraid to brag in the most appropriate of situations. He’s pensive, diving deep in thought when valued opinions are desired.

 

His music is a bleeding version of R&B. A general feeling of uneasiness creeps under a more saturated layer of comfort carried by smooth and warm vibes. It’s haunting at times, but brilliantly satisfying.

 

Listening is not intended to merely pass time, rather his music demands attention. Colorful subtleties are rampant and the sonics are mystifying. At its worst, his music is captivating. At its best, his music is otherworldly.

 

Hit the jump for LFTF’s exclusive interview with Gracie:

 

 

 

Treehouse EP art by Josh Balick

 

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Gracie- Sisters

 

 

Why did you decide to name your dog after a hooker?

 

Uh what? A hooker named Gracie? I thought it was just a girl’s name. I named her initially after a friend I had in preschool, but I never saw her again. I just really liked the name. It makes a lot of sense though because that’s what she does at night. She’s pretty well known on the block.

 

 

Your For Summer EP is really breezy and melodic. Are you taking the same approach with your new record?

 

Treehouse is going to be less sample-based. I wanted it to be more rhythmical with a lot of low end. I wanted to make something playful and childlike, something really fun and interesting to listen to. I didn’t want it to sound like the first record at all. I went darker and edgier because I didn’t want to be a douche and have two similar sounding EPs.

 

 

Why the change?

 

I guess it was just a natural transition. I said what I wanted to say on the first EP, but there are other things I want to say and the best way to do that is to change the vibe. It was weird because I wrote the For Summer EP in winter; those are like beachy and summery songs. Then I wrote Treehouse in the summertime, which is darker in my opinion. So I guess each record was like a longing for a season. I didn’t want to make another soundtrack of Disney pop songs; that’s part of why I added a lot of low end.

 

 

Where did you record it?

 

In my bedroom studio. I was living in DC at the time interning at Carpark Records for the summer. Most of it was done in DC, Philly, or the Maryland shore. The way I record is kind of sporadic. I don’t really feel happy unless I have one song completely done. I can’t start on another until I finish the last one too. At the same time though I’m kind of ADD because it’ll take me a week or two of listening to one song and making sure it’s done, but I will have already started on another one. I dunno.

 

 

So do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist?

 

Yeah, probably, haha.

 

 

How do you know when you’ve finished a tune?

 

I mean, um, it’ll take me a good month of just listening back and forth. I’ll send it to a couple of friends whose opinions I really respect. They won’t be afraid to tell me it sucks or to change weak parts. I’ll also listen on a variety of mediums, like laptop speakers, iPod with my earbuds, my car, etc. It takes me a while until I’m completely satisfied.

 

 

How do you approach the writing process? Do you already have a tune laid out in your mind or does it just come naturally when you pick up the guitar?

 

It’s never the same formula. Sometimes when I’m walking down the street or something I’ll pull out this note application of my phone and just start going at it. Sometimes I’ll just pick up the guitar and fiddle, or start with a drum beat and just work from there. It’s never the same way twice really. I’ll trap myself in my bedroom for days and not really see anyone. And then I’ll emerge from the black and go out but not listen to any type of music. It’s a good break for my ears. It’s really refreshing.

 

Art by Josh Balick

 

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 Gracie- Tryck R Treat

 

 

What’s your new year’s resolution?

 

I really don’t have one.

 

(Crazy lady on the Skype video with us… aka his manager): Don’t die?

 

Yeah, don’t get slapped by women.

 

Lady: Does that happen often?

 

Only at shows in bars.

 

 

 

You opened for Balam Acab at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly. What was that experience like?

 

It was one of the best rooms I’ve ever played. It was the first show I played with the new band. My live set up now is a guitar player who does background vocals, a percussionist, a bass player, and I play guitar, keys with samples, and vocals. My vocals tend to come out a lot stronger live than they do on the recordings. Nick Lachey is my idol.

 

 

Haha, yeah, I was going to ask you about that because your vocals seem really hesitant and strained on the EP…

 

Yeah, definitely. This is the first project I’ve ever done where I wasn’t just doing background vocals. I think I’m still learning how to sing on recordings. I’m getting more comfortable with my voice and it’s noticeable. Especially live you can tell I’m way more comfortable with my voice.

 

 

How did you start working with Small Plates Records?

 

I was interning with Carpark Records at the time. I got hooked up with a show in Philly, it was actually my first show ever playing as Gracie. But I guess it went well and someone came up to me after the show and asked if I had any material to send their way for Small Plates. So I sent them the sampler and they dug it. They’re really supportive and super sweet.

 

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 Gracie x Steffaloo- Quilts

 

 

What’s in the future for Gracie?

 

I’m about halfway done with a full-length. The full length is definitely more guitar driven as opposed to revolving around synth. I’ve been listening to a lot of Joy Division and I can tell the guitar is starting to bleed through with their influence. Theses new songs are definitely the happiest I’ve been making music though. I finished Treehouse in September and those have been sitting around. I’m so done with those songs. I mean, I still love them; I’m just really anxious to get this one out.

 

Also, I’m doing SXSW in March, a few shows in New York, I got invited to do Best of Bandcamp in Philly, and I’m trying to arrange a little summer tour. Oh, and my Treehouse EP is coming out on February 7^th on Small Plates Records. Check it.