"Vocal Master" Grace Solero Interview
www.GraceSolero.com
Interview by Roger Zee (03/12/21)
Top Photo: Eric Duvet
Bottom Photo: Luna Viola
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to sing, play piano and guitar?
Grace Solero: Singing's just something I discovered as a little girl born and raised in Italy. When my eldest brother played, I sang along -- the most fun game ever! The joy of singing gave me the real inspiration to explore it more. First I took lessons from an opera singer. Then started training in all other genres. Initially, I played piano and keyboards to accompany my vocals and write songs.
I only picked up the guitar a few years later. Jeff Buckley influenced me greatly, although I sadly discovered him only after he passed. Still, his performances totally blow me away. Same goes for quite a few of the Nineties bands, in particular Smashing Pumpkins. I love their songwriting and production. Also Pearl Jam and singers like Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries and Noa. But I always listened to a variety of music. I’m not genre bound.
RZ: How did you put together the Grace Solero Band?
GS: To form the band, I moved to London. Once there, I responded to an ad that guitarist/songwriter Dan Beaulaurier posted in a club. We met up and hit it off immediately. That evening, we jammed for hours! We both had already written songs, and in time spontaneously and naturally ventured into co-writing. In the beginning, we played lots of acoustic duo gigs and then gradually added the rhythm section of Bjorn Zetterlund on bass and Dave Guy on drums.
RZ: You're about to drop a new album, "Metamorphosis. How's that going?
GS: Technically, we already finished "Metamorphosis." Chris Brown, who's mixed Radiohead and Muse, did ours. We mastered at Metropolis. It’s a collection of nine songs -- a deep journey through the transformative power of love. We released a couple of singles with videos,
"Awake" and
"Lucid Dream" and will drop a third one on April 9. Check out the dedicated fundraiser page at our website. The campaign's ongoing, so feel free to become part of our journey. Every little bit helps! We’re currently planning the best way to promote the "Metamorphosis" release, potentially shopping for a label and management.
RZ: Tell me about more of the other musicians you've worked with.
GS: I collaborated with Knox from the iconic band The Vibrators, doing some singing and co-writing. There will be two songs I wrote with him on the new Vibrators album out this summer. With Noddy Holder from Slade, I co-starred in a musical production of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol Unplugged’ at London’s Union Chapel. Knox and Noddy, both lovely and very supportive people. They belong to another generation of artists which valued camaraderie!
Staying busy! Played some shows with Mariangela Demurtas from the band Tristania and Ardours.
I worked a few shows with Alan Merrill in New York. He’s best known as the songwriter of Joan Jett’s hit "I Love Rock’n Roll." Very unique musician and super nice guy. Feel blessed to have met him.
GS guitarist Dan Beaulaurier and I currently work a side project with legendary pedal steel player B.J. Cole who's played with Elton John, Cat Stevens, Bjork, R.E.M and more. We call ourselves "The Twilight Zone" and play dreamy, spacey, atmospheric music that combines ethereal and haunting vocals with pedal steel, acoustic, and baritone guitar.
RZ: Talk about your theater background.
GS: As a teenager, I decided to study at the Academy of Drama in Rome. It felt like the closest thing to the NYC's "Fame" school! In reality, it pretty much focused on classical theater --Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Ibsen, Chekhov, Oscar Wilde, Pirandello. Also body movement/dance workshops, but no singing! The three-year full time school course allowed me to explore, no holds barred, at a very formative age of 18–21. It gave me a chance to take part in several productions and play different roles. What an amazing experience, very stimulating for all the senses. And it played a huge part in winning over my shyness!
RZ: What guitars, amps, and vocal mics do you currently use?
GS: I play a silver sparkle Fender Telecaster -- I love the look of it! As well, a Fender acoustic GDO 500 and a Yamaha travel size guitar. I go through a Fender Pro Junior amp using various effect pedals. I use a Shure Beta 58 for vocals.
RZ: Do you teach privately?
GS: Yes, I give voice and singing lessons at my little home studio in London. Also online with Zoom, etc. I love teaching and think that’s the real legacy you can leave to people -- knowing how much of an influence you played in their discoveries, learning process and growth.
RZ: How's the Pandemic affected you? What's on your horizon?
GS: Slowing down during the pandemic personally did me good. I got the chance to rethink what really matters and reinforce the sense of gratitude for just being and appreciating life. I went back into teaching singing and created a new dedicated website to promote my voice lessons. As a full-time musician, I’m used to gigging/busking/touring on a regular basis. That's my lifestyle and also my source of income. All that stopped since the first lockdown in March 2020.
I started playing online shows with GS guitarist Dan and found the fans really supportive. We had never considered playing online shows before. The band found ourselves lucky to just finish recording the new album when the Pandemic struck. So we mixed and mastered it remotely -- totally a new experience. We would normally do it in the studio!
I look forward to live shows again with a real crowd and getting back to traveling! I’m used to going to the USA every Sept/Oct to play some shows and spend time with dear friends, in particular in NYC. Hopefully we will make it there again this year.
RZ: Describe your most special and/or most unusual gig.
GS: Hard to choose just one gig! In a way, they're all special and different.
In August 2020 in London on top of Primrose Hill, Dan and I played our first gig out of lockdown. Felt quite special to actually play outdoors in front of a real crowd!
In Canada we played the Etwell Festival for passionate music lovers all sitting under a big wooden shelter. What a special atmosphere and attentive audience! At the end of the performance, we all ate pizza from a brick pizza oven.
In Berlin, we played The White Trash. The whole complex exudes a quirky/kitschy feel complete with an in-house tattoo parlor!
In my teens, I sang in front of 30,000 people. I couldn’t even see the back of the crowd!
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
GS: It’s difficult to gain a clear vision. The tendency to DIY seems the way forward. Really, the music biz never feels real. Genuine fans keep the music alive. Digital sales don't really financially reward the musicians. Live shows remain irreplaceable. That's where the power of the artists lie -- connecting with the audience!
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
GS: Be true to yourself. Enjoy what you do! Don’t try to please everyone because it’s impossible. Don’t believe in promises, especially those made by music industry people! Actions always speak louder than words. Stay organized and disciplined. Make sure people can rely on you. Persevere when pursuing your dreams. Set goals. Come up with an action plan. Be sociable. Ask for help and advice. Remember, you’re the master of your own happiness!
RZ: Where can people find you on the web?
GS: Check out our links:
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YouTube - Lucid Dream - Grace Solero
©2021 Roger Zee
