A new album release from Ellah Grace is packed to the brim with soul, soul and more soul and is complete with classic string sections, keys, guitars, and an authentic and nostalgic vibe from start to finish.
The Give Me Just a Minute album is absolutely gracefully performed and with a great passion and gusto as well and that includes every damn instrument on this thing.
Vocally, Grace packs a punch and you can feel it in your bones. She lets loose and sings with a colorful and genuine tonality that becomes infectious as hell and quickly.
This album has so much going on and the artist shines with a ton of presence throughout the records course.
You get an array of cinematic, honest, and straight forward soul from upswing bangers to smooth ballad style tracks and it all has a way of just grabbing at you.
You get these descriptive and emotionally driven singles, and pop-oriented songs that stick with you for ages.
Grace is vibrant and alive on this album. She showcases her inner self and it's 100% charming.
A record packed with memorable melodies, hooks, and choruses both musically and vocally, Give Me Just a Minute is a well-polished and sharp record that leaves you fully satiated.
With the release of such a wonderous record, we wanted to have a chat with Ellah Grace to see where this all came from and what may be next up.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Let's kick things off with the Give Me Just a Minute album. This record has a lush and classic tonality to it. Where did this album come from?
The music truly developed during the creative process & we found the core of soul music that I’ve dreamt of with a fusion of other genres as well.
”Give Me Just a Minute” is a collaboration between me, Mats Björke & Martin Engström.
In August 2020 I was introduced to Martin Engström, a musician with roots in country & rock music. It all started with some sessions over the phone. Me sharing my lyrics & Martin continuously producing melodies & we were bouncing ideas back & forth.
After we had come up with a good foundation of songs, we met up with Mats Björke, a musician & producer with roots in the alternative rock band Mando Diao.
We had two live sessions where we just improvised and had fun with the songs. It was from those sessions that our sound developed into what I wanted the sound to feel like. Mats then started the challenging process of taking all the ideas & put it together as a cohesive whole.
Buzz Slayers: So when did music start affecting you? When did you know making music was something you wanted to be doing?
Music has always helped me cope with life when it has been tough and also brought me so much joy. For me music is truly healing and makes every single fragment of my soul shiver.
Standing in front of my audience and connecting through music is a precious gift and there are no words that could rightfully describe it.
Music has the great power to heal, give hope, spread love, joy and provide a sense of community.
Music has always affected me in so many different ways since I was a child. The love for music came about in my early years. I have always loved to perform and to be on stage, even when the stage was homemade and the audience my relatives or the animals on the farm.
Buzz Slayers: What inspires you to write a song?
Life inspires me. In everything surrounding us there is inspiration to draw from. By listening to a fellow human talking about their struggles tapping into my own feelings of missing my loved ones or the feeling of not being enough, to the great love we share for our loved ones. I often get a thought or a feeling that I need to get out of my chest, and it inspires me to write.
One of the songs on the album “Be alright” I wrote in 20 minutes, walking from the train station to the studio where we were recording. I was thinking of my children & wanted to express my love for them. I find it so important to talk about feelings & that life isn’t always easy. I truly think that no matter what you go through in life you can handle whatever comes your way if you just have one person by your side that makes you feel loved & safe. That no matter what everything will be alright.
Buzz Slayers: This record has some great styles! Can you all give us some of your top musical influences?
Mostly I listen to soul music, neo-soul & gospel music. Some artists that have inspired the sound of my album are Adele, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer & Bill Withers.
I often get inspired by the message a song has. Some artists that inspire me to write music are Emeli Sandè, Joss Stone, Lauren Daigle, Allen Stone & India Arie. I love their way to express their thoughts & their performance has the ability to catch my attention & take the song to heart. I really get inspired by their artistic expressions.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I’m not yet able to fully put my attention towards making music, so I have another job as well. I work with people who need guidance. Helping people to realize their full potential and that they do have a choice to change path if they so choose.
In my spare time I spend time with my family & I love to be out in nature. I am a creative soul so when I find time I love to sew or to craft with my children. I still sing in a gospel/soul/reggae choir that I have been active in for over 20 years now. I have been teaching & also competed in the dance form of Salsa. Nowadays I only dance for fun but I can’t stand still when I hear a groovy beat.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
At the moment I am listening to Freedom by Allen Stone, Song for you by Avery Wilson, Rise up with Andra day & Shine by Emeli Sandé.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Recently I had a concert in Stockholm September 1st at “Lilla hotellbaren” Scandic Malmen.
Before that I had my release concert April 7th at Reginateatern in Uppsala and had another concert April 9th in Norberg at The Kiln.
I am waiting to see how the plan for the coming months and year will look like and hope that I will be able to meet the audience in more concerts ahead.
Buzz Slayers: This album feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
One key ingredient that I brought into this journey was to really think through what’s important to YOU and be clear about where you’re able to be flexible and when you’re not.
I also find it important to be open minded cause you never know what the results can be. A collaboration can be enriching and develop into something beautiful that you couldn’t even imagine. Don’t be afraid to try it out and see, you can always change it up if it doesn’t resonate with you.
ALWAYS trust your heart. If you get a smile on your face and get the feeling of excitement, it’s usually something good and something worth following through. If you feel a resistance and your gut feeling isn’t good, then it’s probably something you need to look into.
Most importantly, believe in yourself and find the courage to keep on even when it feels hard. It’s really scary at times but really rewarding when you see the result of your efforts.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I will continue to work on my music and hopefully I can present a music video in the near future.
I also look forward to starting to work on a second album and hopefully I get the chance to perform even more with the amazing band that is on this journey with me.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
No words can rightfully describe how grateful I am for all of the support. Sharing a piece of me and my soul with ALL of you has been a bit scary but I am beyond grateful for the journey. Time is a precious thing and a true reminder to cherish every single moment in life… I hope to inspire everyone to go out and follow your dreams.
I truly appreciate every single stream of my songs. I want my music to inspire, spread hope and joy and help people reflect on their lives.
Thank you ALL for being part of my journey & for being so incredibly supportive.
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