INTERVIEW | GRACES: “Music and love are the same thing when done right”
Eight months on since our last interview with them, I sit down with Graces frontman Stephen Harrison and lead guitarist Bradley Neen in a Sheffield bar at just gone 6:15pm.
The latter immediately treats himself to a Carlsberg and Jagerbomb, as Steve starts saying something deep but is cut off by a Game of Thrones quiz. We are sat at table 42, so Steve makes a ‘meaning of life’ joke which Brad is called an “illiterate philistine” for not getting.
Following the Manchester concert, Steve describes Ariana Grande as “Whitney level” in talent. The lads share a love of Little Mix, and Steve says if any of them wish to hang out with him then fine, he’ll make room in his schedule. Authorship matters a lot to the band – “good bands are fake democracies”.
For Steve, no indie rock bands compare to Chance the Rapper, who he says is the “most exciting person in music”. We’re there to discuss Graces’ acclaimed new tune and music video ‘Smile’. But first up, what’s special about Graces?
Stephen Harrison: Ohhhh shit…loads of things. Loads of things.
Bradley Neen: We’re deeper than the ocean. Go to our gig, you’ll understand.
And how revolutionary is the ‘Smile’ music video be on a scale of one to ‘Thriller’?
SH: It's be the seed of revolutionary.
BN: It’s just the start. An introduction to the band.
SH: Take a look at our band, this indie song, and if you pass the first level you can go from there.
BN: It’s just showing our faces, it’s not a mega concept.
SH: But the concept within it gives you an inkling we’re not fucking around.
As we prepare for a spontaneous trip to Rocking Chair to see Low Island, conversation turns to whether music still has purpose. If so, what?
SH: Of course. It’s the closest thing we’ve got to religion.
BN: It gives life purpose, life’s worse without music.
SH: If you compare a show with a religious revival in the deep south you’ll see a lot of similarities. That’s why they have music in churches, you need sweet vibes to whip people into a frenzy.
What song do the lads wish they’d written most?
SH: This is an impossible question, Dom.
BN: ‘All My Friends’ by LCD Soundsystem. So understated but so beautiful.
SH: ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ by Whitney Houston. It’s the best pop song of all time. Few songs give me instant joy like that one. It’s like taking cocaine, not that I ever take cocaine.
After the Rocking Chair excursion, we head back to Graces’ flat for some cold ones. Steve being the generous spirit that he is, he offers to share a beer. The Hubbards are agreed on as the most underrated act around at the moment, while Steve sticks on unreleased Graces tune ‘Petrol’. An arson-themed acoustic ballad, it’s the brilliant musical lovechild of Fleet Foxes and Brand New.
Steve has now made a hat out of a Carlsberg box. Steve speaks of how Graces wish to be on “the right side of pretentiousness”, as he highly recommends ‘The Lego Movie’. We prepare to head to Corp, conversation turns to what’s been their best moment as a band so far.
SH: (ignores question and raps ‘Let’s Eat’ by Macklemore)
BN: When people care.
SH: That moment when I played ‘19’ and you could hear a pin drop. It was fucking silent.
BN: Which one was that?
SH: It was silent in that room.
BN: Which show was that? London?
SH: Abbie was there. Wasn’t Plug.
BN: Must have been London.
As we set off for the infamous Monday Corp experience, Steve proclaims: “Music and love are the same thing when done right.” A profound, true thought that sums up the energy, emotion and absolute sense of feeling that Graces put into their music.
A couple of hours later, in the Corp smoking area, I ask: “what’s the dream?”
SH: Making people think I’m better than I am.
BN: I just wanna enjoy life. Make the most of it. Be an indie rock and roll band that fucking makes people happy and feel part of it.
Both of their commitment to the project is clear. As well as being talented artists with a LOT to say, Graces have no shortage of talent as far as musicianship is concerned. Both their released and unreleased material hints at endless potential – keep an eye on this band.