I’m very proud of Black Tie. I wrote the song as a letter to my fifteen-year-old self, telling past me not to worry about conforming, or changing to be what other people want. As a queer artist the song has had an impact on younger LGBTQ+ audiences that I couldn’t have predicted – I now sometimes even get people showing up to gigs wearing black ties and that it such a cool and rewarding thing to see as a songwriter.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
The first time I played Glastonbury, it was at the invitation of the wonderful Billy Bragg. He is a huge hero of mine, and as a nervous young whippersnapper back in 2010 I could barely muster up the courage to speak to him. The second night on the festival, the stage crew, who are all lovely legends, were having a backstage campfire and they invited me to join them. Someone produced a guitar and asked me to sing. I was just launching into A New England, when Billy himself turned up and sat down and watched the whole thing with a big grin on his face. After I’d finished he joked “they don’t write them like that any more,” and I was drunk enough to reply “That’s right – I love Kirsty Maccoll.” He laughed his head off and I was able to talk to him after that.
What, or who, inspires you?
I’m very inspired by all the young climate change protestors who are taking radical action to protest the lack of adequate response to the climate emergency. Greta Thunberg is absolutely awesome and I think in years to come people will be baffled that some of the most famous people in the world embarrassed themselves by deciding to attack her for speaking out, instead of dealing with the most urgent threat to all our lives.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
I asked Twitter to help me answer this question, and the comedian Rufus Hound offered “vegan steak bake”. I think that works, because all the worst people hate it for political reasons but they can’t deny how many people love it!
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright. I could have written it about so many people in my life!
What’s next for you?
Really excited to get some new stuff recorded in 2020, and of course over the moon the be touring Australia for the first time. I have lots of travelling coming up this year, new places to visit and play in and that’s definitely the best part of the job.
What’s your scene?
Musically? Folk, punk-rock, protest, comedy, and many overlapping things in between! Lifewise, the place I’m happiest is probably in the pub with my pals.
Grace Petrie – Feb / Mar 2020
Thu 27th Feb Stag & Hunter, Newcastle
02 4968 1205 / stagandhunter.oztix.com.au / http://bit.ly/GracePetrie-StagandHunter
Fri 28th Feb Heritage Hotel, Bulli
02 4284 5884 / heritagehotel.com.au / https://bit.ly/2OJZ43A
Sat 29th Feb Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
02 6257 1225 / smithsalternative.com / https://bit.ly/2OAvhdr
Wed 4th Mar The Old Bar, Melbourne– NEW SHOW ADDED!
03 9417 4155 / theoldbar.com.au / https://bit.ly/386jz0X
Thu 5th Mar Wesley Anne, Melbourne – SOLD OUT!
03 9482 1333 / wesleyanne.com.au
Fri-Sun 6th-8th Mar Port Fairy Folk Festival
portfairyfolkfestival.com
Tue 10th Mar Brass Monkey, Cronulla
02 9544 3844 / brassmonkey.com.au / https://bit.ly/2sv7OSo
Thu 12th Mar Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney
marrickvillebowlingclub.com.au / Tickets
Fri-Sun 13th-15th Mar Blue Mountains Music Festival
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