Today our Spotlight – Tamara Grace. We got to chat with Tamara a little while back now about her music and the release of Bad Girl. Hailing from Montreal, Tamara marries emotions with powerful lyrics to bring it all home into some amazing music. Check out the conversation we had right now!
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To start us off, would you like to give an introduction to our readers? Who you are and why do you delight in giving music to listening ears?
Sure! My name is Tamara Grace, I’m 21 and I’m a singer, songwriter, and musician from Montréal, Québec. I started music at a pretty young age. I was taking piano and vocal lessons from the age of 7, but songwriting really began for me when I was 8. I was bullied in school, struggled with my mental health, and just had no one to talk to about my dark thoughts. So, those feelings gravitated to the music I was creating in my bedroom, and… here we are! What was a tragic time has turned into a lovely career! Music is my way to express myself, and I consider it to be my form of therapy, as it has helped me through some of my best and worst times. So, if my music can help someone out there as it has for me, then that’s what I’ll do!
When you look back to your early days in music, what have you improved or changed the most?
Growing up, music was always something I loved. It was always there. But at the age I started making music, it was just a therapeutic hobby. I was unaware of all the ‘technical’ aspects of songwriting and composing. I just knew how to write my feelings down and then use my piano to accompany them. But for many years now, I’ve had a very specific procedure when approaching making music. I look at every detail of every song I create: the story, the structure, the lyrics, the choice of instruments… absolutely everything! So having to grow while in the industry, it was completely expected for my creative process to evolve as well.
You divulge in your lyrics, willing to make your most intimate thoughts and feelings are known. Do you ever feel scared putting yourself out there like that or do the rewards outweigh your doubts?
I’d say I’m at a point in my life and career where I’ve now broken down my tower of bricks and feel like I can just write whatever my brain and heartfelt like writing. And I don’t think I was ever scared, because I always had the mindset: “well, it doesn’t matter how dark we go, ’cause it’s not like anyone’s going to hear this anyway”. But with “Autumn Tears”, it was the polar opposite. I let myself go, let myself be vulnerable, knowing that I would maybe release it one day. And to have it be put out in the world, it’s honestly a little nerve-wracking. But at the end of the day, I’m truly proud of how it all turned out!
You mentioned that your passion for music dates back to early childhood. Do you have the sense that this is what you were born to do? It seems your heart has always been in music.
For sure! Music is in my blood and in my genes. I come from a musical family. So being born in that sort of environment and being raised by such aspiring creatives, I’d say my passion for music came as naturally as it did for my parents. They tell me all kinds of stories from when I was a toddler, ones that made them predict I was going to be involved in the music industry as I got older. So, I truly do think it was meant to be.
Let’s talk about your newest single, “Autumn Tears.” It is your first release of the year. How do you feel about starting 2022 with it? Additionally, how do you feel about the way it has been received by your audience?
I thought about it a lot and I feel that releasing “Autumn Tears” was a powerful way to start off the New Y The track symbolizes the end of hurting and the beginning of growing. So, I’m more than looking forward to seeing how my audience reacts to this one!
If you were to make a music video for the song, (budget aside let your imagination run free) how do you picture it?
Oh, I’ve asked myself this question more times than I can count! If “Autumn Tears” were to have a music video, it would be a simplistic yet meaningful video that would balance out the heaviness of the track. I picture it being set during Autumn of course, inside an old cabin outside of town. The entire video would focus on a couple going through an ongoing cycle. The viewers could watch and explore the good, bad, and ugly moments of the couple’s relationship – basically a look into how things are behind closed doors. However, at the end of the song, the cycle breaks as they decide to part ways.
Your previous single “Bad Girl” carries a heavier beat than your other 2 singles. Slightly more aggressive and sassy. What drove you to reach outside your comfort zone and try out some new styles?
Honestly, I previously released two singles I wrote back when I was 15. They had pretty light instrumentals, however, they had dark lyrics. It was a different time back then and my life, mindset, and music approach then versus now have changed so much. So, my team and I thought it would be interesting to show my audience another side of my music.
We know that you took a gap year to focus on mental health and during that time you continued writing as a platform for expressing emotions. Do you have plans to return to school or are you taking the plunge into the industry?
I did take a gap year for my mental health, but it was also to focus on my education. I graduated at the very beginning of the pandemic, back in March of 2020. Although, since this “new normal”, my brain’s been more and more inspired for some reason. I’ve always wanted to turn music into a career, so taking some time off took a big toll on me. But with resilience, hard work, and a happier mindset, I’ve taken this time to work with some of the greatest people I know and I’m loving every second of it.
Who are the biggest supporters of your career?
Oh, I am forever grateful to have such loving supporters, as well as a small dream circle behind me! But I will say that my parents have been incredible with everything from the very beginning. I can’t thank them enough for their support, generosity, patience, guidance, and aid. They are my rocks, and I can’t express how thankful I am to have them with me every step of the way. I just love them so much!
Since we did just enter the new year, what are you looking forward to? Any new years’ resolutions?
With complete honesty, I quit making new years’ resolutions a long time ago… I tend to never follow them. I’m just excited to work on some more music; to collaborate with other artists and producers, and I would love more than anything to gig! The last time I performed in front of a live crowd was literally a month before lockdown, so I’m really looking forward to what 2022 brings!
You were lucky enough to be born and raised in what is arguably the creative capital of Canada. What do you think of Montreal, the art and music scene down there? Why do you feel it is the place to build your career?
To be honest, I wouldn’t say that Montréal is the creative capital of Canada, as most Canadian artists tend to come from Toronto or Vancouver. However, I do think wherever you are, if you are good at what you do, you will be able to make something out of yourself.
From your Instagram, we can see that you also produce your music. Mix that with the instruments and the singing, you’re a triple threat. Does doing everything on your own make the process long? Do you have a favorite step in the line?
It can be a long process. It’s like with anything we do – some days it can be easy, and other days it can be hard. I tend to experiment a lot more when I’m alone though, so I guess that’s what makes the process a little longer than usual. But I love it, I’ve been doing it for years! However, I also do appreciate collaborating with people, whether it be other artists or producers. Someone can share a cool idea you didn’t think of and vice-versa. So, I enjoy working both solo and in a group. It’s always strange to hear an idea when it’s first put out there versus the final product. Experimenting with music and just the overall process of adding more and more layers to a song will always be my favorite parts of making music.
Your Spotify statistics from last year were crazy! Over 27k streams in 148 countries! Did the stats surprise you? Have goals for this year?
It was such a crazy feeling like it totally caught me off guard! I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my music was being listened to that many times in that many countries! I hadn’t released music in a while, and when I jumped back in so suddenly… I didn’t expect any of it! I felt so loved and appreciated.
We are looking forward to seeing you grow in this coming year. Before we go, would you like to say something to your friends and fans?
Of course! To all my family, friends, and supporters, I am so grateful to you. Thank you for listening to what I have to say, for being patient, and for sticking around all these years! All the love and support has been insane and there are not enough thank you’s in the world. I hope you tag along for the ride of what’s to come! I wish that I could hug every single one of you!
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