Artist Spotlight: Grae Violett
Grae Violett is a queer, POC singer and songwriter that is such a treat to have in our Totem Star family. Although she was born in Nashville, TN, she grew up around the Seattle area and considers Seattle her home. With ‘Real’ being her very first song to ever be released, we are honored to be able to have Grae Violett be featured for our 27th installment of The Song.
THE INTERVIEW
Tell us about your song. What inspired you? What is the message behind the song?
I made this song in 2018 as a response from a time when my mom and I were talking in the car. My mom was reflecting and commenting on how my friend groups differ so much from when I was young vs. today. It made me think -- at the end of the day, you should not ever have to struggle to fit into a friend group. It should just happen. With my friend group, I did not have to change myself to feel acknowledged; I already felt seen. I also wanted to convey the message that outcasts are some of the most beautiful and intriguing people, and that sometimes the people you don't expect to be friends with turn out to be your closest people.
As someone who identifies as queer, I also found that writing this song was a way to write about all of my experiences with all identies. All of my experiences -- they are all real. And we are all working to just be authentically ourselves.
I do art because it's a way for me to work through sometimes complicated emotions and make something beautiful out of something so raw and vulnerable. I'm really interested in emotions and conveying them in my music because at the end of the day, raw emotion is something that everyone has in common.
Who are some of your greatest influences?
Olly Alexander - I want to be as extra as him. I stan it.
The 1975 - Their 80s synth pop, grungy sound. I'm super inspired by the musicality of their songs.
Sza - Her songwriting is just -!!!
What is a goal of yours in music that you want to work towards this year in 2020?
Performing more and putting out an EP! I would love to make an EP.
My long-term goal would be to perform at Bumbershoot -- being able to perform on a stage where I’ve seen some of my favorite artists.
How has Totem Star helped shape you as a person and as an artist?
Being here at Totem Star has given me a lot more confidence to just try things. I am a perfectionist and it has taught me to be okay with the process even if it isn’t perfect the first time. I’ll tell myself, “Okay, I did my very best. This is good!”
I’ve learned to trust the process. To have an idea in my head and to keep it in my head, but to not get super tied down to it. For example, my song ‘Real’ was gonna be a ballad, but now it is more upbeat like a road trip song. You just gotta go with it and see what happens.
I’ve learned different skills and techniques as an artist such as reverse guitar.
Totem Star is my favorite place in Seattle. I was here during the snow day even. I’ve only been here for 7 months, but it feels like I’ve been here forever.
Grae Violett
Grae Violett is singer-songwriter who was born in Nashville, TN but spent her formative years in Washington state, specifically the Seattle area. Being from the South, having parents from NYC, and living in the PNW have led to a lot of road trips where she has had many interesting interactions with the people and places around her. One thing she has learned from travelling cross country is that although we are different, the one thing we all have in common is emotion. Everybody feels, and those feelings lead to amazing stories. A music lover, she considers herself a genre-less artist, but 80s synth pop will always have a special place in her heart. She is extremely excited to share her art with all the beautiful souls out there, and hopes that they will enjoy it.
You can follow Grae Violett | @graedreamer