Gracie Abrams Is Taking a “Curious and Sensitive” Approach to Life, Music and Aspirations

by

As I sit here reflecting on my journey so far, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunities that have come my way. Being able to engage with first-time voters at my shows and partnering with organizations like HeadCount and Planned Parenthood has been an absolute honor. It’s truly amazing to be part of something that could potentially shape the course of our democracy.

Over the last several years, Gracie Abrams has been caught up in a flurry of events, yet she’s cherishing each and every one, particularly the constant stream of “new experiences” that keep arising.

Despite being swamped with shows at venues that are consistently sold out during her current headlining tour, which started earlier this month, Abrams found some moments to discuss life, music, and her ambitions with The Hollywood Reporter over Zoom. Who wouldn’t enjoy a thoughtful conversation on a Monday morning like that?

Yet, the artist-composer behind “Close To You”, daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams, generously granted a glimpse into her personal journey that has been marked by significant achievements in the past few years. This includes the release of her first album, titled Good Riddance, last year and the unveiling of her second album, named The Secret of Us, in June. Additionally, she had the opportunity to perform as an opening act for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour in 2022, a role she will reprise when Swift returns to the U.S. this year, and now she’s embarking on her Secret of Us Tour.

For Abrams, or anyone of her age, it’s quite challenging to grasp everything quickly, but one thing is undeniable – she’s simply allowing the excitement to steer her through this adventurous path.

As I dive deeper into this new world, I’m finding myself adapting on the fly, with fresh experiences coming at me from every angle. So, I’ve been listening more than talking lately, trying to soak up as much as I can like a sponge. After all, it’s all part of the gaming journey!

As I step forward, I openly express my commitment to leveraging my platform for positive change, particularly during this upcoming election – I’ve previously shown support for Kamala Harris. My ardor for the art of songwriting remains undiminished, and I find immense joy in navigating its creative process. Overcoming obstacles and cherishing the tranquil moments have proven enlightening experiences for me.

By the midpoint of 2024, you’ve unveiled your second studio album and launched a fresh tour. What are your thoughts on this year up until now?

Reflecting on the past year, what truly stands out for me is the journey of creating this album. It’s been a significant part of my year because it was such an unexpected development. To be honest, I didn’t anticipate starting work on a new album so soon after releasing Good Riddance last year. I thought the process would require more careful planning and dedicated time, but this one felt incredibly spontaneous and reactive during the songwriting phase. There was an urgency to it that I found exhilarating.

It seems I’m quite astonished by the outcome, which led to an incredibly enjoyable experience afterward. Currently, I’m touring, and the post-writing, recording, and production phases have me feeling most authentic in relation to my work. Everything else I’ve experienced, due to the unique process involved, has been like a guiding North Star that I’ve followed. Since the album was released, I’ve just let the fun steer everything else that has come along.

Would you say each album is a new chapter and you don’t want them to feel the same?

Absolutely, I agree with that observation. Songs are brief, almost like miniature time capsules, don’t you think? They’re amusing to create and store away, then release at the right moment. For me, each new piece I put out feels like a chapter of my life, sometimes making me chuckle because it doesn’t necessarily stem from a five-year relationship. An album might be about something that lasted just two months, but I could end up performing it for the next year and a half on tour. It’s intriguing, isn’t it? I’m learning more as I go along, with so many firsts happening all the time. These days, I find myself listening more than talking and absorbing as much as possible. I feel like a sponge, laughing about it.

Your music has connected with so many of your fans, but how has music helped you?

I have always turned to music first, as a place to kind of most immediately process feelings or allow music by artists who inspire me, who move me to support my personal experiences, you know, in my headphones. It’s just always been that place for me. I don’t know, I think that’s a very popular experience, and maybe corny to say, but it is like the place that I go, you know. All of my most formative memories and experiences and relationships — I know people have like synesthesia and some people associate feelings with color — I’m just like, I will remember a breakup by the song that I listened to, to get me through it or I remember moving into college and listening to XYZ religiously or like the first time I rode the subway by myself or whatever it is, that kind of thing, you know what I mean? There’s never been a moment that I haven’t leaned on music to make me feel more grounded, I suppose.

Would you say those personal experiences inform your own music?

Day in, day out, it’s the writing that captivates me the most – my deepest passion, akin to my first love. Every experience I encounter finds its way into my music, be it good or bad (I chuckle).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gracie Abrams (@gracieabrams)

Does the name of your album, The Secret of Us, hold a hidden message, and if it does, would you care to explain it, or is it something meant to be discovered by the listener?

The ambiguity of my songs’ meanings can be amusing to explore, as they often come across as straightforward and conversational. However, with this [album title], I have a clear understanding of its significance. When the title emerged, it felt like a book title to me, sparking my curiosity about its hidden meaning and the story behind it. This left me feeling excited and slightly nervous, like a flutter of butterflies in my stomach (laughs), which is why I decided to go with it.

What song on the album would you say is most personal to you?

Absolutely! What I’m trying to convey is that all the parts aren’t strictly literal, there are elements of truth hidden within everything. The process of creating this album with my good friend Audrey Hobert has been incredibly enjoyable because she’s not only an exceptional writer outside of music, but also one of my favorite voices. Interestingly, although she hadn’t written music before, her writing skills were so impressive. We’ve known each other since childhood, singing together on the bus to school and making music videos to other people’s songs in middle school. In college, we wrote stories together.

The reason I bring up Audrey isn’t just to acknowledge her significant contribution, but rather because our individual tales, encounters, and shared emotions have been intertwined into these songs in a manner that reflects us both being in our mid-20s, navigating similar life challenges. Although the songs are deeply personal to me, they’ve also helped us create characters based on our shared experiences. To answer your question directly, “Free Now” is one of the songs that stands out as an example of this collaboration.

Given your busy schedule, particularly with the current tour, what are some ways you unwind and recharge when you need a break from the world?

Occasionally, I relish my silence for a day or two when I’m touring. It’s amusing because, just like vocal rest days are crucial for singers to avoid strain and exhaustion, these quiet periods help me recharge mentally as well. So, sometimes I go completely silent for a while (). Besides that, you’ll always find a pile of poetry on my tour bus and in my travel bags. Reading it constantly while on the road gives me a sense of grounding.

As someone in the spotlight, how do you find the balance between your public and personal life?

I’m grateful I haven’t reached a stage where my immediate thoughts revolve around potential privacy invasions or uncomfortable encounters whenever I step out or visit new places. Most of my interactions with strangers in public have been pleasant, generous, and respectful, rather than intrusive. While there have been instances that were startling and made me feel uneasy, they’re few and far between. It’s important to remember that as a stranger, it’s not appropriate to initiate physical contact without consent; such situations can sometimes make me feel apprehensive but generally, I encounter kind, thoughtful people who appreciate my music and express their support. I consider myself fortunate that these thoughts aren’t at the forefront of my mind whenever I leave home.

I find para-social relationships intriguing, as they can foster incredibly close-knit communities, particularly in the realm of music. This connection becomes palpable at live shows, where we’re physically together and I get brief glimpses into each other’s lives – a rare and precious experience for me. It’s essential to remember that every person has their own unique history, so approaching strangers may not be wise or considerate. Instead, I deeply value the kindness shown by my fans, and I strive to incorporate their generosity into my music and stories. I often ponder about them, appreciating their incredible spirit, which makes me feel incredibly fortunate to know them.

Is there anyone particularly you look up to in the industry or someone you can lean on for advice?

The individual who instantly pops into my mind is Ella (also known as Lorde), whom I hold in high regard not only for her exceptional talent but also for her remarkable personality. We’ve grown quite close over time, and I truly admire the way she has managed her career since its inception. Whenever we meet, I always feel more grounded, particularly when it comes to dealing with minor stressors related to the entertainment or music industry. Even before we became friends, her self-awareness was inspiring. So, yes, Ella is a person I greatly appreciate connecting with whenever possible. She’s simply amazing and an utter riot to be around.

Considering the number of young girls and other women who see you as a model for themselves, how do you interpret this situation and does it put any additional pressure on you?

As a gamer, I’m humbly acknowledging that I’m still learning the ropes. I’m striving to be more deliberate with my words and actions as I navigate through this gaming world. It’s not about pressure, but rather a chance for me to reflect, listen more, and think carefully before I speak or act. It’s a beautiful challenge that helps me grow.

Being on tour currently and interacting with so many young, open-minded individuals really inspires me. Whenever I look out at the crowd, I often find myself thinking, “I wish I could emulate their spirit.” Their eagerness to learn is touching, and I feel moved by it. I wouldn’t use the word ‘pressure,’ but I do want to be mindful because I have the opportunity to observe them and get to know them. If they admire me in any way, I strive to present myself in a way that would positively impact them.

Why do you consistently utilize your platform to express your beliefs, particularly in light of the forthcoming election where you’ve expressed support for Kamala Harris, and motivating others to vote? What drives you to use your voice in this way?

Given the current state of my nation and the upcoming elections this fall, I’m fortunate to be on tour for the next six weeks, as I have a platform from which to speak every other night. With so many first-time voters attending my concerts, it’s exhilarating to contribute to our democracy while it persists. This tour presents an exceptional opportunity, as I collaborate with organizations like HeadCount and Planned Parenthood. I believe that these conversations face-to-face are vital for our democratic process. The dedication and professionalism of the representatives from both organizations is commendable. The enthusiasm among my audience for participating in the voting process at the shows, such as pre-show voter registration with friends, has been remarkable. This aspect of the tour is one of the most inspiring reasons for me to be on the road right now – the opportunity to engage directly with people who will significantly influence this election’s outcome. I firmly believe that young people must participate in this democratic process, so it’s crucial that we all do our part to ensure their engagement.

If given the chance to speak with younger Gracie now, knowing where I am today, what advice or words of wisdom would I share?

Prioritizing making someone feel valued seems crucial, reflecting on this thought can be beneficial. Additionally, she might want to show more compassion towards herself and minimize screen time by keeping her phone aside most of the time.

Can you tell us about a significant hurdle you’ve managed to conquer on your journey, since everyone encounters their own difficulties at certain stages in life?

People are dealing with their unique struggles in ways that often remain hidden from the public eye. Growing up, it seems like we’re continuously discovering ourselves and everything around us is constantly shifting. I don’t necessarily want to delve too deeply into my personal experiences, but I believe it’s essential to practice patience with yourself as you navigate life while pursuing your passions. It’s important to remember that people may associate your name and image with music, expecting you to embody a certain persona, when in reality, you might feel more like a shape-shifter or a chameleon, adapting and evolving in real time.

Throughout my career, I’ve found it difficult to strike a balance between maintaining a tough exterior, as is often required for those in the public eye, and being open and vulnerable as an artist and writer. It’s a complex dance, learning how to shield oneself from criticism while still remaining emotionally accessible. This delicate balance has at times felt surprisingly daunting, but it’s also been a valuable lesson and a skill I’m continually working on refining. It’s not the only challenge I face, but among the various obstacles I’ve encountered, this is one I can discuss.

Even though you’ve mentioned that you’re really liking the present phase of your life, have you ever pondered over where you might prefer to find yourself five years from now?

As a gamer, I’ve experienced this rollercoaster ride before, and it keeps evolving, which I find pretty awesome. Right now, I feel like the universe is wide open to me, and my pursuit is always about chasing that feeling that stirs my excitement, leading me to create content that I’m most passionate about. Here’s hoping that in five years, people will still be interested in what I have to offer, and I’ll be touring, buzzing with enthusiasm for my upcoming album, whatever shape it takes then. But let’s not forget, there are non-music aspirations (Laughs heartily) that seem equally significant as I look towards the next five years. So who knows where life will take me? The future is unwritten and full of possibilities.

If someone asked you to describe what makes Gracie Abrams, Gracie Abrams, how would you respond?

Day by day, I find myself feeling both intrigued and tenderhearted, and I can’t help but chuckle about it. On September 9th, my response will reflect that – inquisitive and empathetic.

Read More

2024-09-17 17:56