Dublin indie-alt artist Graceless aka Grace Tooher has released her new single, Underwater. We asked Grace the BIG questions . . .
Graceless is the project of the Dublin singer-songwriter and she is joined by guitarist Richie McNeill for live shows.
Having cut her teeth fronting Staring at Lakes, Grace relaunched under the Graceless name
Following The Raven and God's Plan, Underwater is the third of four singles from her debut EP.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
By day, I'm the Chief Operating Officer of Ireland's largest passenger Wi-Fi company. By night, I'm writing songs about anxiety and self-reclamation. The music has nothing to do with the day job, it's about everything else that's in between. Sadly one of these jobs pays better but the other one matters far more.
During Covid, I impulse-bought a 1960s Japanese Jedson guitar. I play it live.
The name Graceless came from a genuinely low moment. I felt like less - less talented, less worthy, less able to stand on my own. My name is Grace. But somewhere in that insecurity, it flipped. I was Grace. I was talented. I could stand on my own. I just needed to own it. The name stayed, but the meaning changed entirely.
How would you describe your music?
Imagine Sinéad O'Connor had an indie-alt affair with CMAT and added a splash of Florence Welch. My lyrics are direct - no fluff or filter. Unapologetic and steeped in anxiety. Richie McNeill plays guitar and gets asked about his pedal set-up after nearly every gig. I write the songs. He opens them up. What you get is big vocals and tasty guitars.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Sinéad O'Connor, Fleetwood Mac, Florence + the Machine, The Cranberries, The National, Soda Blonde, CMAT.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Technically? Leonard Cohen, in my mam's belly, front and centre, while she danced her socks off. As a fully formed human, it was Metallica at the RDS at fifteen. That probably explains a lot.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Hey Baby (Uhh, Ahh) by DJ Otzi on CD, one song, on repeat, at full blast, for an entire weekend. My brother had to physically break the disc to make it stop. The first album I remember buying was System of a Down's Toxicity. I was being heavily guided by my brother's taste at the time. Clearly, the influence took a while to refine.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Suit and Tie by Soda Blonde.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The only thing that's certain is your indecision/I guess it must be working 'cause you hit me with such precision" It's from an unreleased Florence + the Machine song called The Conductor. It's by no means a profound lyric on paper, but I heard it at a time in my life where it hit me hard and has always stuck with me. Some lyrics don't need to be clever. They can just depend on the time and the place.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks by The National.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Everything lives at gracelessmusic.com or find us on socials at @graceless_music. We're on all streaming platforms under Graceless.
Alan Corr
