Interview with Gracie Jet

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Music has always been a massive part of my life. Since I was little, if there was a stage, I wanted to be in the middle of it. I grew up singing in church and plays and pushed for any opportunity to sing live. My mother describes my young childhood as intense which makes me laugh every time, I hear that. She quickly discovered that music calmed the “intentness!” log. Music has always been my safe and happy place; its where I feel most at peace. It’s how I center myself. I am also a nurse so in recent years I have combined nursing and music. I worked throughout the pandemic and have continued to work in an acute care hospital for the last seven years. But, I’m sure you guessed music is the dream.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I think that’s a hard question when you love something so much it’s all you want to do. However, when I'm not actively going out to play shows or in the studio, I love to write songs. I always say my songs are journal entry’s that I share with the world. But songwriting for me is therapeutic; I'm able to get my feelings out on a page. My songwriting has grown over the years and with that I’ve been able to become more creative with the stories I tell. Literally anything and everything can inspire me to write. For example, my song Be Like Us developed from one line in the movie Bridget Jones Diary when Mark Darcey said, ‘I love you just the way you are.’ It stuck because I absolutely love the film

How long have you been making music?

I have been writing songs and singing since I was a little girl.  But the last six years I have been actively trying to pursue a career in music with 2023 being the first year I released music.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I am from Owen Sound Ontario, I was born in the UK and moved to Canada when I was 8 so Owen Sound is home to me. The Owen sound music community has always been so welcoming. Over time I went from playing open mics to large venues in my area. The support from my community has been a big influence in my music as it feels very empowering to feel the support.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

My most memorable show is my most recent the Sway Single release show at Heartwood Concert Hall. I started playing the open mics there when I was younger, and it was a full circle moment to stand on that stage and sell out the venue with people there to hear my original songs. It was my favorite show the audience was so alive and full of energy, and it made for an amazing night.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Each venue is unique and every time I play at a new place there is always things that stay with me. But for me the coolest venue I played at was the Rivoli in Toronto. It was one of my first Toronto shows and it felt so great to be in a venue where so many iconic people have played. if I could play anywhere, I would love to play at the Massy Hall.  When I started playing bigger shows another musician said he believed he would one day see me on that stage; I remember thinking that’s crazy but now as I grow I feel the sky is the limit and one day I will sing all my originals on that stage!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

If I could play a show with anyone it would be Matt Meason, Heart, Tracy Chapman, and Taylor Swift. All these artists have influenced how I look at music they are all different but so unique and to share a stage with any of them would be an honor.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

My advice to someone getting into music is be yourself; create what feels right to you, do your research as the music industry can be overwhelming and releasing music for the first time can seem scary and most of remember this is a marathon not a sprint

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

“Sister” was my first release and is my most personal and emotionally raw song. It’s a story of my journey with my sister and how I watched her go through the most horrific time in her life as a mental illness took grip of her life. Mental illness affects the family leaving you helpless to save the person you love. That time was consumed with grief and survival. It’s a cathartic song of my pain, my love for her and the hope of a new day. My sister is an incredible woman; she survived and today flourishes.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Normally at shows I am bringing at least 15 original songs including songs that haven’t been released yet.  Depending on the venue, the audience may know my songs from previous shows or following my music and social platforms. Forest Fire and Survive are always a crowd favorite. They are high energy songs which I will release in 2024

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

My life and the people I meet inspire me to write. Basically, music and song writing is my go-to and how I process my thoughts, life events that I have absorb around me or watched take place: the struggles, the highs and lows, dreams and my tragedies. My songs often normally develop very quickly once I start to hear them in my mind. They can start with one line or just a melody and then they grow. If the emotion or event is strong, then I literally can write a full song in a few minutes because the thoughts are flying everywhere, and the construction of the song captures them.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

I love stories about life. I want my songs to tell stories.  So, the messages or subject I want to get across will more often be held in a story. For example, Sister talks about mental health. Bicycle opens the world of dementia.  Nightingale is the story of a nurse working through the pandemic.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

2024, I will be releasing my first Album and I am working on videos for some of the songs. I am really excited to see what this year brings. During the winter months I spend a lot of time applying to play at different festivals with the intent for tour this summer along with applying for further Factor grants which allow musical entertainers like myself to produce music

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Always make sure to check out my Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube and email list. That’s where you will see me the most. I love Instagram and that where I tend to post my life!