Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Grace Annabella Anderson
THE RELEASE
Grace Annabella Anderson is a multidimensional artist and singer-songwriter who is passionate about conveying stories and connecting people through music. She began her musical career at an early age, culminating in the 2021 publication of her debut EP, "NYNETEEN." Grace used this EP as a canvas to paint her experiences in her early twenties, borrowing inspiration from her time in New York City and the forging of new relationships. Grace, who is now studying Drama and Creative Writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, is honing her storytelling skills, bringing her stories to life via her music and compelling stage performances in Manhattan.
"Bandages" represents a significant advancement in Grace's talent, showcasing her dependably truthful poetry, sophisticated narrative, and personal vocal subtleties. The EP, which is infused with irresistible melodies and an enduring love for New York, consists of four tracks that explore a spectrum of emotions and moods, from the joyful "No Getting Over You" to the achingly raw "Battle Scars." "Bandages," which was recorded live with excellent musicians, conveys the immediate energy and warmth of a shared creative environment, highlighting Grace's passion to her work.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
In no particular order, these artists have inspired me as a musician, storyteller, and artist.
Jane Austen
Taylor Swift
Jessica Chastain
Sufjan Stevens
Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the EP, and if so, how did they shape the final product?
Bandages is diary-esque, but not entirely in the way you might think. It’s difficult for me to separate myself and my experiences from my work, and I find that when I do, the creative process becomes tedious. So yes, the emotions I explore in the EP are all feelings I’ve come up against in the last couple years. But my inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources— for example, the title song “Bandages” was directly inspired by character work I was doing for a role. I study Drama at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and I find endless creative stimuli in that environment. I find so many similarities between the work of an actor and a songwriter, and my goals in both fields are actually identical— to communicate a story and an experience as authentically as possible, and to allow the audience to immerse themselves in the world of that story, discovering something about themselves and others.
How did you approach the selection and arrangement of the songs on this project to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience for your audience?
My aim was for Bandages to feel like a series of scenes portraying the euphoria, fragility, combativeness, and intensity of relationships. I placed most of my focus on the writing and storytelling when choosing the four songs that constitute this EP. Because I had leaned into my own narrative voice and distinctive perspectives, I trusted that the collection would feel cohesive. My producer, Thomas Dulin, and the team I collaborated with in Nashville were absolutely integral to the sonic cohesiveness of the EP. The musicians I was fortunate enough to work with— Nate Dugger, Ian Miller, Rich Brinsfield, and Tim Buell, are consummate professionals and elevated the musical landscape of Bandages.
How do you see this EP representing your artistic evolution or progression, and what new elements or techniques did you experiment with during its production?
There’s a lot of maturation that’s happened with Bandages since my debut EP, NYNTETEEN, which I released in 2021. Naturally, there’s a vocal, lyrical, and experiential evolution that happens from the ages nineteen to twenty-one; so much growth occurs in these years, and they really have felt like a transition to a new stage in my life. Looking back on my first release, I can actually see some parallels between the songs of the two EPs— but to me, Bandages feels like the “older sister” to NYNETEEN— less frenetic, more reflective, more self-aware. Musically, getting to track Bandages with a band in-studio made a world of difference to the sound and feel of the music. The distinct sounds of musicians in a room together is so powerful and moving, and it really breathed life into my music that took this EP to the next level.
Can you share any memorable or profound moments from the recording or writing sessions that had a lasting impact on you personally or creatively?
I can’t speak highly enough of the team that I worked with; my experience recording at The Planetarium in Nashville was nothing short of a dream. There were countless moments during that time when I experienced creative breakthroughs— the professionalism and immense talent surrounding me made the creation of Bandages much bigger than the EP itself, it entirely influenced and expanded my musicianship. I would have to say the standout moment of lasting impact was the day we had the full band into the studio to track the songs. Hearing the musical ideas I’d only roughly imagined take shape right in front of me was remarkable— and the ingenuity of the musicians birthed new instrumental additions that immediately became my favorite moments of the songs (Ian’s piano intro on “Battle Scars,” Nate’s electric guitar line on the bridge of “No Getting Over You”).
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