Interview: Talking with Wexford singer-songwriter Rachel Grace ahead of her Galway gig at Poppy Lane Sessions

We interviewed the talented Rachel Grace ahead of her gig at the renowned Poppy Lane Sessions in Kinvara, Co. Galway…

Acclaimed Wexford singer-songwriter Rachel Grace has announced that she will be doing a live show on the 21st of March in Poppy Lane Sessions, a popular venue in Kinvara, Co. Galway.

Poppy Lane Sessions has developed a reputation as an intimate venue that showcases Ireland’s best and brightest musical talent. Owner Ben McCormack created the venue as a passion project that offers artists and fans a unique, up-close experience.

Grace’s gig on March 21st will be her first time playing an original set in Galway.

Grace has established herself as a rising star on the Irish music scene. She was named as one of HotPress Magazine’s ‘Hot for 2023’ artists and just last year, she supported Gavin James at a major show in Amsterdam. She also supported James at his gig in the National Opera House in Wexford town last December.

We had a chance to have a chat with Grace ahead of her Galway gig at Poppy Lane Sessions.

What was it like opening for Gavin James in the Opera House last year?

“It was incredible! Gavin is a lovely person, and I really appreciate all of the opportunities he has given me over the years. It was so special getting to play one of the best venues in Ireland, which just so happens to be in my hometown. I feel so lucky to have the support and the community that I have here in Wexford.”

What was the first song you ever wrote? When did you realize that was what you
wanted to do?

“I wrote my very first song when I was in 4th or 5th class in primary school and it was absolutely terrible. It was a song for my Mam, and I know it was terrible because my mam kept the lyric sheet in a plastic folder and showed it to me a little while back. I’m very grateful that my parents have always been so nurturing and supportive of my music – even when 10 year old me wrote them a song with the lyrics ‘I don’t like it when you smoke, it always provokes me’, definitely not my best work!

I’d loved music since I was a child, but I remembered realising that it was what I really wanted to do at age twelve when I performed at the Wexford Has Talent competition. It was the biggest crowd I’d ever played to at the time and I was terrified. I remember looking into the audience and feeling like something clicked. I started to take music really seriously from that moment onwards.”

I understand that this will be your first time playing your own original set in Galway.
How did this gig in Poppy Lane Sessions materialize?

“It is, I’m equal parts excited and nervous about it! I was invited to come down and play the Poppy Lane sessions by Ben McCormac, who is the host of the Fresh Éire show on Over the West Online Radio, and he has been an incredible supporter of my music over the years.

The venue is gorgeously intimate and has hosted some of Ireland’s best talent, Emma Langford, Roe and Ciaran Lavery to name a few. I jumped at the chance to play my first full original set in Galway in such a comforting environment. I think it’s also the first time I’ve properly played a full headline set outside of Wexford!”

I saw on your social media that you’ve been suffering from a bit of writer’s block. What
has that experience been like?

“I’ve dealt with writer’s block on and off for years now and it’s an incredibly frustrating experience. I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to try and write the perfect song all the time, songs that will get radio airplay or go viral on TikTok. I’ve developed a bad habit of stopping the writing process if I think the song isn’t turning out to be good, even though I know well that writing bad songs is just as important as writing good songs in the creative process. I’ve started journaling this year and it’s helping me to be less precious about my words!

I’ve also found it helpful to set aside an hour of time to force myself to write, even if nothing materialises out of it. I usually stumble around on the piano feeling annoyed at myself for 55 minutes and end up writing something that I really like in the last five minutes.”

What is your creative process like on a good day?

“On a good day, writing a song is like turning on a tap. Lyrics fall out onto the page and melodies form around them without thinking about it. I get my inspiration from everything around me: books, poetry, film, people. Usually, a line or idea for a lyric will come into my head and the whole song will stem from that.

I don’t have any particular rituals, but when that tap turns on, I just try to soak up as much as I can! When I wrote my last single, ‘Lately’, I was writing a college assignment when I heard the chorus in my head. I dropped everything I was doing and grabbed my voice notes to catch it before it left, finishing writing the song within the hour.”

What do you think of Wexford’s live music and arts scene at the moment?

“I personally think that the music community in Wexford is thriving at the moment! There are so many incredible Wexford Artists making great music – Wallis Bird, The Ocelots, Cursed Murphy, Basciville, Will Troy, Patricia Lalor, the list goes on. I’ve met and befriended lots of lovely creatives that have settled here in Wexford in recent years and it’s only made the music scene stronger.”

What’s next for Rachel Grace?

“I’m currently in rehearsals with Irish Women In Harmony to play keys at their show in the National Concert Hall, Dublin on International Women’s Day. It’s been a dream getting to perform with so many incredible women that I admire!

I’ve been quietly keeping busy in the background getting my album ready for release at the end of this year. I was very lucky to have worked with amazing Wexford musicians, alongside the incredible Gavin Glass as a producer and I’m so proud of the result. I can’t wait to release it and play more live headline shows soon!”

What’s your favourite album of all time?

“There is no way I can give just one answer to that question! My favourite record that I own is Norah Jones ‘Come Away with Me’. It’s the ultimate comfort record and I’d love to create a record that makes people feel the same way. My favourite Irish album is Wallis Bird’s ‘Woman’, her music is a masterclass in performance and song-writing. My favourite song-writing album is Laura Marling’s, ‘A Song for Our Daughter’, there are so many lyrics in that album I wish I thought of myself.

The album I’m listening to on repeat at the minute is Lawrence’s ‘Family Business’ Acoustic album, full of fun bops and incredible arrangements.”

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