"It's Hard Not to Be a Little Melancholic" Says Modern Troubadour Isaac Gracie

"I'm terrified that maybe I wasn't cut out for this" sings Isaac Gracie in one of his hits "Terrified". The fear is perhaps not totally misplaced: since signing with EMI records in 2016, and releasing his self-titled debut album in 2018, worldwide success has sucked the British singer and songwriter into a whirlpool of performances and publicity, which he even attributes to hastening the end of the relationship with his girlfriend. But it hasn't been all bad, by any means. Gracie now puts on sold-out shows across the world, and with over 1.1 million followers on Spotify and his most played song "Reverie" garnering over 24 million plays, he is indeed off to a strong start. Despite his good fortunes, Gracie remains modest about such accolades, saying, "It's just a blessing, I guess."

Growing up in West London, Isaac Gracie was a rising star of the Ealing Abbey Choir until issues with his vocal cords forced him to quit. Today, his romance and heartbreak-steeped ballads are interrupted by aggressive guitar riffs, and his style has drawn comparisons to other modern troubadour artists such as Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, and Jeff Buckley.

Here, we speak with Gracie ahead of his China tour and his sold out Apr 25 Beijing gig at Tango 3F. 

Your songs are so intimate. How do you feel baring your soul in front of larger and larger crowds?
I have never had too much of an issue performing the songs in front of people. Maybe because in the act of singing them it feels more like sharing something than actually baring yourself. It is usually nice to be able to put out experiences into the world and feel like it's coming back to you from the crowd in a way.  

You have mentioned previously that you mostly write in your bedroom. Is that still the case?
I've actually moved to a new house, so most of my writing happens in the kitchen now.

How does your day look like when you are writing songs? Is it “barricade yourself indoors and chug coffee” kind of writing, or do you enjoy routine and scheduled work periods?
It changes. Lately, I first tinker with the guitar and get some ideas down. Then I make a voice note on my phone and live with it for a day or so, and go on walks and try to play it through in my mind. After getting home and sitting down with some coffee, I just try and power through to a rough demo.

It seems that a strong narrative is a dominant feature for you. Your lyrics are also quite visual, and I can see the story unfold as I listen. So: lyrics or music first? 
It depends. Most of the time they come together and then I tweak the lyrics a bit. I never write the whole lyrical content before the melody is there, though. I'm trying to get more pragmatic about lyric writing but it's tricky. Everyone has their own ways.

I find that your music triggers a warm and romantic explosion of melancholic emotions. Are you a melancholic person yourself?
Sometimes, for sure. I used to be more so than I am now. I think it's hard not to be a little melancholic these days because there are plenty of reasons to feel isolated or alienated from the world. It's just about managing the melancholy so it doesn't overwhelm you.

Isaac Gracie is playing at Tango 3F on Apr 25. Tickets online are sold out, but some will be available at the door. Failing that, cross your fingers that scalpers will be lingering around the venue on the day of the show. 

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Email: tautviledaugelaite@thebeijinger.com

Images courtesy of the promoter