After establishing herself with a wealth of warm and riveting releases these last few years, emerging artist TRACE returns once again to deliver her soaring new single 'Too Much'.
Lifted from her newly unveiled EP 'The End Of A Feeling', which is available to stream now, 'Too Much' makes for an incredibly rich and inviting listen. With her smooth and tranquil voice layered across a sweeping alt-pop production throughout, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more captivating names on the rise with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I would say the piano. The old, duty, organ almost vibe kind. I remember hearing someone play keys in a church basement when I was young and it felt so peaceful and calm. That, or the drums at the night club my mom used to sing at. Both brought out something different in me for sure.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up on disco which I enjoyed. But I also was a huge folk music fan. Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell. I always enjoyed the sad stuff and my mom was always confused by why I preferred the slower jams over the upbeat ones. I’m sure that says a lot about me haha.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think my first CD was Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morisette.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I love this question. Hmm. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division…or to be honest, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I don’t necessarily but I will say, I try to be rested in my body and mind, so I might meditate, light a candle and free write in my journal—not thing and be open is a key. And then I kind of dive into a world of inspiration. I watch movies, go look at art, go on a hike. I try to get out of my head and into places that bring me life. Hoping something comes and it does often.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m relistening to Kacey Musgraves’ album and I forget how good it is. I’d also add, big fan of Ethel Cain, James Blake, Okay Kaya, King Krule and like SZA and Fred Again of course.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I feel like I keep cheating because I have more than one answer. This is such a fun question. I have to say, Phoebe Bridgers because that feels like an automatic fan base uptick, but I’d also say Taylor Swift because that would be hilarious, wild and I think really fun.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The act of creating is healing and really life giving and to get to share that and have that connect to others and somehow maybe also heal as well—that’s just really invaluable.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Art as commodity, artists as a dollar sign, the general industry and how dense it is. I can talk about this all day haha. But it’s hard remembering who you are and what you want as a musician when you’re immersed in a world that oftentimes assumes it knows what’s best. It makes sense though, it’s not easy to be an artist but it’s worth it if you know why you’re doing it.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
That I’m only going to write better and better songs as my career continues and to not be too precious. The advice I would give though (even though I was’t asked!) is to remember no one else out there is like you, and that’s a strength not a weakness.
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TRACE's new single 'Too Much' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.