Artist Interview: Fee Gray
Dive into the world of Fee Grey, the talented artist behind the hit single "Wasted". With a debut headline show at Whelans in 2024 and a growing fanbase, Fee shares their experiences, inspirations, and creative process in this candid interview.
Tori: Congratulations on selling out Whelans in 2024 with your debut headline show! What was that experience like for you, and how did you prepare for it?
Fee: Honestly, I hadn't a clue what I was doing! My aim was to make it look like at least half the room was full, so I was shocked when I stepped out, and I saw faces I didn't recognise as well the familiar ones! I'd been rehearsing a lot beforehand, but you're never really prepared for the night and the energy in the room!
Tori: What is your favorite part of performing live?
Fee: The rush of it all! The nerves beforehand and the banter backstage. I was really lucky to have SYGH and Mister Sister backstage with me. There were like 3 full bands in the small room, and everyone was so supportive of each other! And then getting to meet and hang out with everyone afterward is always what I look forward to. From what I've heard, everyone had a great night!
Tori: Your music has been gaining a lot of attention lately. What do you think is the key to your growing fanbase, and how do you connect with them?
Fee: I think it's the honesty, because as much as you need to appear like you know what you're doing as an artist and portray yourself as a performer, I still don't know myself and I don't hide that I change all the time. There's so much pressure to fit into a box, probably because it works, but it's just not something I've ever been able to do, and I think people relate to that!
Tori: Your new single "Wasted" is described as an anthem for former "gifted kids." Can you tell us more about what inspired this song?
Fee: I was thinking a lot about how I thought my life would turn out and who others thought I would grow up to be in contrast to who I've become and the way things unfolded. My life didn't turn out the way I'd expected it to, and sure I could've finished school or gone to college, but then I wouldn't have had the experiences or met the people that I have now.
Tori: You wrote "Wasted" just before your 21st birthday. How did your life experiences leading up to that point influence the song's themes and message?
Fee: Well, my teenage years weren't typical in the sense that I spent most of my time in hospitals. You'd think that it would put a pause on the normal teenage stuff, but when you're that age, you'll always find a way to rebel and seek out that independence. But it did look very different, and my plans for my future were turned upside down, which was just as hard for me as it was for my family, who had an image of me doing something academic.
Tori: The song focuses on feelings around life, not panning out as expected or planned. Have you ever felt like you're not living up to your own expectations, and how do you cope with that?
Fee: All the time! I think a lot of artists feel like that. I often feel like a court jester standing on the stage screaming “Everyone listen to my darkest thoughts and then cheer and clap for me!”, which is weird when you think about it. But it's a search, not only for connection, but to be seen as good enough. As far as my own expectations, I'm am idealist, but I've always said that if my song can resonate with someone and we can really see each other for those 3 minutes, then that's all I want.
Tori: Your music is often described as indie pop rock. What inspires your sound, and how do you balance different influences in your music?
Fee: It's actually the toughest part. I like to experiment. People talk about “finding their sound” but in my opinion, it's not really about the sound or genre itself but rather staying true to the artist! If I want to write a pop punk song one day and a chill acoustic the next, then that's what's authentic to me. My influences always come from what I'm listening to at the time, so you'll be able to tell what kind of music I was consuming at the time by what I put out!
Tori: "Wasted" is your first release with a music video. What was it like working on your first music video, and what can fans expect from it?
Fee: It was one of my goals and something I always dreamt of as a little kid. I'd watch music videos on MTV, and I knew that I wanted to do that one day! It was super fun and chill because I was just hanging out with my friends on camera. There's a Behind The Scenes video on my YouTube that really shows what we're like whenever we're together!
Tori: The music video gives insight into the story behind "Wasted." Can you tell us more about the narrative and themes explored in the video?
Fee: With the scenes in the rehearsal studio, I wanted to show what it's like to hang out and make music with your friends, and at the end when all the lights flash and some of us gain more (or less!) clothing, and it shows what we're imagining in out heads - that we're playing for a massive crowd! The bedroom scenes show the difficult part, the hard work and the overanalysing, the fear of not being good enough. At the end of the video, I put my past and the expectations that came with it into a box. I wanted it to show that even though life doesn't always turn out how you expect, you're always where you're meant to be.
Tori: You've mentioned that the music video leaves some teasers for future projects. Can you give us any hints about what's to come?
Fee: The album we're recording currently was all written in about 2 months. It's a concept album, which is my favorite type of project. It's funny because I've already moved on to the next chapter, but I'm excited to honor that part of my life and tell the story that got me to where I am now. I'm not as subtle as I think I am, so you don't have to look very hard to find the easter eggs!
Tori: How does it feel to have a growing fanbase that's dedicated to your music? What do you hope your fans take away from your songs?
Fee: At this point, I'd say that my ‘fans’ are mostly just my friends, or else they've become friends. Most of them are very similar to me and I think that that's why they listen. I wouldn't necessarily hope that people relate to my songs (because they're usually quite sad), but if they do, I hope that the way I've voiced my feelings do theirs justice.
Tori: You've been open about your experiences and emotions in your music. How do you balance vulnerability with the pressure to produce catchy, commercially viable songs?
Fee: It's not always easy to portray things in a commercial or “radio friendly” way, but that's where I have to make a choice. I can make a catchy song that doesn't really mean anything or I can write for me and the people who care to listen! And when I do that, I find that some of them (like Wasted) end up being the catchy and commercial type. But especially with the album I'm working on now, I try to make the art that I want and be as authentic as I can and think about digestibility later, and if it doesn't work then at least I've made something that I'm proud of and hopefully someone will like it for what it is.
Tori: What advice would you give to your younger self, just starting out in the music industry?
Fee: Trust your gut, and don't settle. You need to be a little delusional in this industry. You need to believe in yourself, and then you'll find the people who believe in you too. When I pitched the album to the lads at Beardfire Studios (shout-out to Rohan and Al) I was aware that the concept sounded crazy, but because they know me and the belief I have in myself, there was no hesitation. They believed in me trusted in my process and knew that it would work!
Tori: How do you stay true to your artistic vision while navigating the ever-changing music landscape?
Fee: To put it bluntly, I've had to stop giving a f***. Sorry, you probably have to censor that, but it's true. Everyone I've spoken to has told me not to do an album because singles are more marketable, but I'm not interested in that. Yes, I want to get somewhere, and I want to go as far as I can, but it means nothing if I'm not making the art I want to make. So that's what I'm going to do. Make an album, and pray.
Tori: What's next for you, and are there any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon?
Fee: I'm hoping so! I'm excited to collaborate again. It's always a little challenge that I'm eager to accept. For now, there's another single ready to go while I'm recording the album. I'm taking my time with the project and have things to put out in the meantime! My supporters are patient with me, though, so I'm very lucky in that sense!
Disclaimer: All links and photos are property of Fee Gray and their team and used under permission! This interview is property of TunezandTrendz and may not be distributed for money or used without permission of Tori!
Comments
Post a Comment