Greta Stanley Bedroom City Tour Interview

Greta Stanley Bedroom City Tour Interview

Far North Queensland songstress Greta Stanley is following up a massive 2015 with a special run of tour dates throughout December and January. The singer-songwriter, who hails from Mena Creek near Innisfail, released her debut EP Bedroom City in May and hasn't really stopped since. The six-track release earned Greta acclaim on a national level, gaining considerable airplay and interest from heavyweights, including radio stations such as Triple J.

Drawing on all these experiences, the 20-year-old is now about to head out on the road to share her songs and stories with audiences. Greta's songwriting nuance belies her age, you could be forgiven for thinking these tracks had been penned by an older soul. Likewise, her live performances allude to an artist who has been on the touring circuit for many years.

Greta says she is looking forward to performing the songs from Bedroom City, especially in areas where she hasn't previously played. 'I am hoping to expose the EP to new ears, and be able to finally perform live the tracks that are being supported by radio," she says. 'It is great to perform at home, as well as outside of my hometown. Audiences can expect an insight into the inspiration and stories behind the songs on the EP, which is a view into my world. Hopefully, everyone will leave feeling not so alone with their feelings towards and ex, a new lover, or somebody they can't forget, no matter what."

It's evident from listening to Bedroom City that music is the one big thing that Greta is meant to do with her life. Her songwriting appears effortless, her sound is sweet, a touch of folk and a sprinkle of pop. She is unique and almost impossible to pigeonhole, there is something breathtakingly original in everything that she offers, yet combined with an unforgettable musicality. It is not surprising to find out then that when it came to finding her sound, that the alluring musician didn't have a specific direction in mind, rather just followed a path that felt natural. By the same token, grabbing her guitar and getting on stage is a natural progression, and an enjoyable one.

Greta's frank honesty is both refreshing and endearing. In her short career so far, she has already impressed some industry heavyweights and made solid friends who are passionate about seeing her succeed. In fact, she attributes the ability to bring her EP to fruition to a friendship with fellow musician Fleur McMenamin [from folk-duo The McMenamins] who took her under her wing and introduced her to the people she needed to meet. After entering a local competition in Cairns, Greta won with one of her original compositions, was given an industry scholarship to attend music industry conference BIGSOUND in Brisbane and made an impression on Fleur, who has turned into a mentor. She introduced Greta to producer Mark Myers [The Middle East, Emma Louise, The Starry Field] who ended up recording the EP.

Through this new partnership, she also met independent record label Junkie Uncle who were so impressed with her sound that they signed on to release her EP before it was even recorded. Since the release of the EP, Greta and her team have been working tirelessly. 'Everything is still sinking in, I think," she says. 'I actually took a moment the other day to reflect on the last year and thought, holy moly, I've actually achieved a lot. I'm pretty dang grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way. I know some pretty special people. I have had a really good response from the EP and it is such a nice feeling. I haven't really settled into those thoughts too much as my mind is already focused on the next project."

The next project will see Greta hitting the studio in the not-too-distant future to record her second offering. With her new electric guitar in hand, she is already penning new material. Other plans on the horizon include her first video. Needless to say, there is nothing holding Greta Stanley back and music lovers should get used to hearing this singer-songwriter's name – she is here to stay!

Friday 18th December 2015 | 7pm
Queens Hotel, INNISFAIL QLD
www.facebook.com/Queens-Hotel-665008476904730

Thursday 24th December 2015 | 5pm
The Woolshed, CAIRNS QLD
www.facebook.com/TheWoolshedCairns

Thursday 31st December 2015 | 7pm
Bramston Beach Motel, BRAMSTON BEACH QLD
http://bramstonbeachotel.com.au

Saturday 2nd January 2016 | 6pm
Herbert Hotel, TOWNSVILLE QLD

$5 at the door | www.hotelherbert.com.au

Friday 8th January 2016 | 8pm
7 On Wood, MACKAY QLD
www.facebook.com/sevenonwood


Greta Stanley's debut EP Bedroom City out now through Junkie Uncle. For more information please visit http://onepagelink.com/gretastanleymusic/

Interview with Greta Stanley

Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Greta Stanley: It feels pretty nice to know I'm on the right track, I can't say I tune into listen to myself, feels a bit weird and I really don't like my talking voice!


Question: What should we expect from the tour?

Greta Stanley: An insight into what my Debut EP ' Bedroom City' is about, the stories behind the songs, how it all came together, and what inspires the music I create.


Question: What do you enjoy most about touring?

Greta Stanley: Playing to new faces and making new friends, I also think it's pretty special to see brand new places, I've never been to Byron Bay or Caloundra before the tour so it was really nice to be able to visit and explore, and I'm so lucky that my music opens these kind of doors, that's one thing I really hope to keep doing is to have my music take me to new places!


Question: Describe your music in five words?

Greta Stanley: I'm just going to use words that other people use a lot when describing my music after a show; honest, storytelling, sobering, tear-jerking, lovely.


Question: What music/artists are you currently listening to?

Greta Stanley: JAMIE T, always. Johnny Cash, Justin Beiber (it's happened, I've conformed), The Acid, Nirvana, My friends In The Element (super funky + super good).


Question: What are your Christmas plans?

Greta Stanley: I have a show on Christmas Eve in Cairns! I'm also working most of Christmas at my day job, (Tree Of Life, awesome clothes, awesome people and not really work)!

As for actual Christmas, I'll be spending it with family on The Esplanade by the pool, with lots of fruit, (lychees, yay!) and maybe a beverage or two. I'm really looking forward to it, has been a hectic few weeks!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the last six months?

Greta Stanley: I think planning and organising a tour was pretty challenging, not only in the sense of the actual seeking out of gigs, locking things in and booking flights ect but actually preparing myself mentally for shows in places I don't know, in front of people that don't know me. I'm lucky I had some help from my friend Fleur!
It's a bit nerve racking, and I'm a bit of stress head so of course I weighed up all the bad outcomes way too many times, and like always none of these dreaded scenarios played out in reality, (thank cheezus!)


Question: What's a typical day like?

Greta Stanley: Tea, Instagram scrolls, see things I like + want to buy, realise I have no money to buy said things, drown sorrows in more tea. Listen to music and if I'm not working I usually try to get out to see some friends, or op-shop the day away, visit the beach/markets, and of course write and play some dang music!


Question: What is currently inspiring your music writing?

Greta Stanley: I'm always inspired by whatever I'm surrounded by, when I spend a lot of time to myself (which happens a lot, as I like my space!) I obviously write about my own personal stories, or feelings, but it's always connected to stories of my friends or family that tie in, and same goes when I'm around friends, I can easily be inspired through what they're talking about/upset/happy/mad about relate it to myself and write!

Also, new music, every day.

On the radio, in the car, on the net! I always hear new stuff and it triggers my own thoughts/feelings and I'm like, 'stop the car, let me write this down"!

R.I.P to all the lost songs when I was on the highway and couldn't pull over to write them down before I forgot them.


Question: What message would you like to say to your fans?

Greta Stanley: My dad wrote me this poem, I feel like it's important for emerging muso's like myself and just people in general!

"You are uniquely you,
unbelievably but true,
no-one knows your mind
only you will find.

So get on your bike
and don't be late
learn what you like,
and if not what you hate."
(Phillip Stanley)

I really like the meaning, it's true, if you're not sure what you want to do, or where you are going, don't stress, everything you try and realise you don't like whether it's careers, friends, boys, hobbies, whatever; it will eventually lead you to the right place! It's all a learning experience.


Question: What's next?

Greta Stanley: An album, a move to a big city, (hey Melbourne!) :)


Interview by Brooke Hunter