INTERVIEW WITH LILY GRACE AS WE GET TO KNOW HER AND TALK ABOUT HER ALBUM

This week's interview is with Lily Grace who is a Australian singer-songwriter who I recently had the opportunity to talk with to discuss her debut album released last year whilst getting to know more about the talented artist.

Hi Lily. I am honoured to be featuring you. How are you today?

I'm great, so happy to be chatting with you.

Can I please ask you to introduce yourself to our readers?

G'day! My name's Lily Grace. I’m an Australian pop/country artist living in Nashville. I write songs for the girls who are just trying to figure out life, navigate friendships or dating, and have a dang good time when doing it!

With you being an Australian native, but living in Nashville - how have you found the move?

Amazing, but cold! I’ve been taking trips back-and-forth from Australia to Nashville for a while now, but now I can officially say “I LIVE here” which is the coolest thing ever. When you dream about doing something for such a long time, it's a surreal thing when you actually get to do it. That's me at the moment. I've felt so welcomed by everyone here, am loving pouring myself into songwriting and to be surrounded by such a strongly talented musical community feels so special.

It was recently announced that your debut album was nominated for Countrytown's 'Album Of The Year' Award, how exciting is that for you?

SO exciting. This was my debut album which is a nervous release for any artist. I worked really hard to make sure I poured myself into every single track on that record and to see that it is resonating with people is a really special thing.

But that isn't the only award you are up for is it as the title track is nomination in the Queensland Music Award Country category - your 2025 is starting off strong. How does it feel being up for two awards in your hometown?

Crazy! I owe a whole bunch to the Australian music community for supporting my music and my artistic journey. It's because of their love and support that I get to test my music on the world stage here in Nashville. It's a big honour to be nominated for this.

How would you describe your music style in three words?

Musically, take country, pop and rock and throw it in a blender. Thematically, the girl next door who’s just trying to navigate adulthood and is singing about her journey.

This month, you are set to play a variety of shows in Australia how excited are you for these shows? Where you will be opening for Robben Ford before headlining your own few shows.

I'm opening for Robben Ford on his Australian tour acoustically, and am then bringing my full band for my headline run. Robben is obviously such a talent and icon in the industry, and I feel very thankful to be sharing a stage with him. I can't wait for my headline run too. I haven't done a headline tour since releasing my album, so this is my opportunity to bring that to the stage which I cannot wait for. We're teaming up with Shure on this tour to run tracks, in-ears and a full wireless rig to put on the best show we can for those in attendance, so special thanks to Shure!

Now, I have to ask you about your debut album, Old Enough To Know Better back in August, how was that release for you?

For me, 'Old Enough To Know Better' was a really honest portrayal of where I was in a moment of time. It's an authentic depiction of my journey navigating a series of first times. First time dating, living out of home, navigating friendship drama and first time going on a night out. It's my experiences doing all of those things in song form.

Can you take us through the 9 tracks that are featured - is there a reason that the track list is the way it is?

This is such an in depth question and I love it! Since this is my debut album and kind of an autobiography about my life, I wanted to start off with 'Follow My Road'. This one's about chasing your dreams-doing so wholeheartedly and not caring what anyone has to say about that. I'd say this is a main theme throughout the album! 'Maybe So' celebrates the unexpected, which I also felt honored the theme of growing up and new experiences, and leads perfectly into the title track, 'Old Enough To Know Better'. I can assure you, I never want to be old enough to know better!

'Can't Be Your Juliet' and 'I Don't Wanna Cry On My Birthday' are both about chasing my dream, but in very different ways. 'Can't Be Your Juliet' touches on the difficult decision between chasing a dream and a person...sometimes the person you're with can be perfect but you know that staying with them means compromising something you really want. It's my reminder that it's okay to make the selfish decision and chase the dream! 'I Don't Wanna Cry On My Birthday' is a homesick anthem for anyone who is just going through it. When you're away from home chasing something big, it can be really solumn to look up and realise all of the weddings, birthdays, and quality time you're missing.

After my sad-girl anthem, I had to bring back the fun! 'This Cowgirl' is my hype song for a best friend and celebrating the 'catch' they are. 'The Summer That Got Away' is our twist on the age-old saying 'The One That Got Away', but instead of trying to hold onto a person, it’s about making the most of the summer season. Jumping into the ocean every chance you get, catching every last sunset and not letting the summer get away. 'Bet On Us' is for the believers who don't let other people's opinions negatively impact you!

I knew I had to end the album with 'Give Me That.' This song is about breaking out of the mold and craving adventure! And that is exactly what brought me to the US to chase this dream of mine. And so the adventure continues.

Now this is a random question, but is there one song on the album that you wish people knew the back story behind?

I love this question! One of my favourite songs on this album is 'I Don't Want To Cry On My Birthday' because I feel like it's a very raw picture into something I was struggling with at the time. When life is hard and it seems like everything is going wrong, it can be hard to have a bright smile and celebrate - even if it's your birthday. It's a song that I actually struggle to sing when life has me down and I think that's just credit to the authenticity, which is a blessing that it can connect to people but also a curse because I don't want to cry when I'm performing!

How would you describe Old Enough To Know Better as an album in one word?

'My life' is one word, right?! One word that describes the album is 'Girlhood'. It’s about navigating the highs and lows on that journey from girl to woman.

With us being a couple of months into 2025, what are your plans for the year?

If the rest of 2025 is anything like these first couple months, it's going to be a whirlwind! There are so many exciting things I have planned for this year, but my main plan is to expand my catalog and strive to be the best artist, performer and songwriter I can be.

If you don't mind I'd like to ask you a few Quick Fire Questions

Easiest song to write? Bet On Us.

Hardest song to write? I Don't Wanna Cry On My Birthday.

Favourite song you have ever written or heard? Me Myself and Wine... oops, did I just tease a song?!

Do you prefer happy or sad songs? Happy.

Favourite part of the song to write? Melody.

Thank you very much for your time, it has been fantastic chatting with you.

You can follow Lily Grace on her Social Media