Grace Carter is quickly establishing herself as one of today’s most revered songwriters.

While the UK talent has been writing since she was 13 years old, she shot onto the global radar with this year’s Saving Grace EP and shows alongside the likes of Dua Lipa and Jorja Smith. With her own style of powerfully poignant pop, Carter’s songs are saturated with emotion and delivered impeccably, gaining her a swelling fanbase who can relate to her output. Take her single ‘Why Her Not Me’ as an example, which addresses her father’s absence and abandonment during her childhood – a topic not be taken lightly, and also one that she sings out to the world.

With the Saving Grace EP still picking up steam, we chat to Carter about her songwriting, inspirations, and what we can expect from her in the future:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtWzfRc6uUs

You’ve said that you were a “very angry child” – what were some of the challenges and dilemmas you faced in your younger years?

Growing up with a single mum and not really understanding why was quite tricky for me. I had a lot of unanswered questions and with that came a lot of frustration, but songwriting became my way of processing my emotions and making sense of them.

Growing up with a single mum as a source of inspiration for songwriting. How do you think music has changed your relationship with your mother? Does she come to your gigs?

Me and my mum have always been super close, it’s always just been the two of us and she gave everything she could for me to have a comfortable childhood. She supports me in everything I choose to do in my life and career and in all of this, I think we’re just proud of each other for making a good thing of a bad situation. My mum gave me a lot of strength and confidence to talk about my feelings and experiences, so I owe a lot to her. She comes to as many shows as possible but it’s definitely hard not seeing her for months at a time when i’m travelling.

Your new track ‘Why Her Not Me’ addresses your father’s absence in your life. Being such an honest and relatable song for so many people, is there any fan feedback from the track which has really touched you or stood out to you?

Yes of course! The response has been crazy, I’ve received some beautiful messages from hundreds and hundreds of people which I’ve never really experienced before. They’ve all been very personal but it makes me happy knowing that because I opened up, people feel they can open up to me. One message I received just said ‘Thank you for reminding me that I’m loveable’ – this was powerful for me as I spent a long time thinking that because the person that should’ve been there and showed me love didn’t, that no one ever would. But like her, now I know thats not true!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvFkkmiZMuA

Can you remember the day you finished writing your first song? Where were you and what was the feeling like?

Yes, I was 13 and I had recently met my stepdad who I was very unsure of at the time for obvious reasons. He was a musician and bought me a guitar as a peace offering and challenged me to write a song in a week. Within the first week of getting the guitar, I sat in my room everyday and wrote a song called ‘Blank White Page’ which was about not being able to write a song, haha. I remember that day very clearly as it was the day I completely fell in love with songwriting.

What was it like growing up in Brighton? What effect did it have on your artistry?

I moved to Brighton from London when I was 9. It was a good move as we had very close family friends that had moved there too, and we kind of went for a fresh start. It was definitely a very different vibe to what I was used to, but the slow pace was good for me. I started writing songs when I lived there so I guess it influenced me in some ways. There were also loads of very talented people that I met through doing little gigs when i was super young. I actually met Rag’n’Bone Man at a gig I did when I was 16, and then this year I got to tour with him around Europe which is pretty cool.

You’ve also said that you’re “not just singing songs about being in the club.” Do you enjoy clubbing? What are some of your favourite tunes to hear on the dancefloor?

Hahaha, to be honest, I’m gonna sound super boring but I don’t go clubbing, my mates always rip into me for it. I like a bar/pub with a good DJ though. I’d say some good 90s hip-hop and RnB gets me on dancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fxb52dHHgI

Being a fan of both Kanye West & Nina Simone, how do you feel about Kanye West sampling Nina Simone so often throughout his career?

I mean they’re two of my fave musicians, so I love it!

Having achieved so much at a young age, what are some of your long term goals in music?

I always say it, but my biggest goal is for as many people as possible to connect to my music. I’ve written all of my songs to get me through something, but I’ve released them for the people listening to connect to and put their lives on to. Emotion is a universal language, and it’s nice to know we’re not the only ones who have felt the things we feel. I obviously have lots of other goals, but I want to be known as an honest artist who can release an album in 15 years time and still be relevant.

When will you be heading to Australia for a tour?

I’d love to come to Australia! Hopefully soon if you’ll have me!

What can we expect from Grace Carter’s debut album?

My story. I see the album as a collection of letters I never sent. Its an honest account of my life, my experiences and relationships I’ve had up to now.