Grace Kay talks panic attacks, lifelong friends, and Fleetwood Mac on her dreamy single “Here” (11/12/21)

Grace Kay releases her new single “Here,” available November 12th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.

Los Angeles-based songstress Grace Kay shares her nostalgic dream-pop gem “Here,” set for digital release on November 12th through Trailing Twelve Records. At the heels of Kay’s soulfully minimal “play”, her new song “Here” utilizes a lush and expansive soundscape to support heartfelt passages on the vulnerability of friendship and the deep bonds that form through traumatic experiences.

The songwriting on “Here” is both intimate and universal, striking a balance between personal anecdotes - having panic attacks on trains and crying to Fleetwood Mac - and shared sentiments - finding catharsis in sadness and going on road trips to escape life’s stresses. Kay shares the personal experiences that spurred “Here” below.

My best friend lost seven friends and family members during our freshman year of college and I’ll never forget how that affected her. I was there for her then, and we moved through it. Then, she was there for me in 2019 when I was finally able to escape a very toxic relationship that left me with the scars of panic attacks and led me to cut my bangs in protest of it all. The fact of the matter is time heals all and I know she’ll be there for more celebrations and bumps in the road, and I’ll always just be happy to be here with her now. 

Throughout Kay’s releases, she blends first-person narrative with universal messages, all through the lens of upbeat and confident art-pop productions. The evolution of “Here” follows a similar roadmap, but veers slightly by swapping out punchy and syncopated rhythms with warm and hazy walls of sound. After nearly a year of letting the song stew in voice memos, Kay was forced to take it off the back-burner after receiving an invitation to perform on Clubhouse.

I thought for a while that this song was a lost cause. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out the structure. I was so attached to having no bridge, but 3 verses just didn’t work. Then in April of 2020 I was invited to perform in a Clubhouse workshop show, so I pumped out a bridge 30 minutes before the show.

Following that performance, Kay enlisted LA-based producer, Jynjo aka Austin Foley, to add the final ingredients to “Here.”

When I brought it to my producer, Austin, you could see the excitement in his eyes. He immediately said “Outro!!” and then we just freestyled over that beautiful ending we have. I typically don’t like fade-outs, but I love it in this song. The ending is perfect to me.

In the entrancing climax of “Here,” Kay’s silky vocal dances around shimmering synth and throbbing bass-line, acting as a warm hug that gently fades away - a sonic wink at the deep bond of friendships that never truly end.

“Here” is out November 12th, 2021 on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve.

Written & Performed by Grace Kay
Produced, Mixed, Mastered by Austin Foley

Press Photos by Nyiko Beguin
Press Contact: trailingtwelve@gmail.com

TTRS-051
© & ℗ 2021 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.

GRACE KAY - Here
TTRS-051
Released 12 November 2021
Length: 3:50

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BIO

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Grace Kay spent her teenage years attending an all-girls high school where she was imbued with a keen desire to empower other women. Bringing that passion into her music, Kay’s songwriting tends to center around the women in her life and the influences they’ve had on her.

After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in acting, Kay went on to star in various short films and mini-series, which, she explains, taught her the importance of story in songwriting.

Grace Kay’s sound consists of refined and punchy synth-pop production, syncopated rhythms, and lush vocal textures that will please fans of MUNA, The Japanese House, Imogen Heap, and Caroline Polachek.

“play”, Kay’s latest single, received widespread fan support, garnering official playlist features on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds: Pop.