Q&A: Gracie Abrams Explores Platonic Love In “Feels Like”
IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE — Gracie Abrams on shuffle is the perfect mood for a cathartic cry session. Since the release of her album Minor in 2020, Gracie has got fans hooked on her vulnerable lyrics and heart-jerking melodies. Her music may be just what we all needed during these emotional times that have come and gone.
Her latest single, “Feels Like,” detours from a typical romantic narrative, and instead embodies a beautiful time spent with her best friend. Abrams shares that from a young age, she was obsessed with journaling life experiences, which inspired this song and has, overall, shaped her songwriting career to this day. While Gracie is currently making her way through shows and festivals, she is excited to connect with fans on a new level of intimacy.
We were able to catch Gracie during this busy season to learn more about her cognition behind her music and a few hopes she has for her future in the artist spotlight.
1824: What advice would you give to women who aspire to make it in the music industry?
ABRAMS: I look for that advice all the time so it feels funny giving my response. I think what’s been most helpful for me is trying to separate myself from the noise going on around me and staying quiet internally to try to listen to what feels honest when I’m writing. Music resources are so accessible right now, which is amazing, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I would say just keep writing no matter what, whether that be journals or songs. Also, try to find people who you trust in the industry. It may be a daunting crowd, but if you stay true to the people who are rooted in the core of who you are, it’s easy to navigate the noise.
1824: When people listen to your music, what messages do you have for them? How do you want to convey that in your upcoming music?
ABRAMS: When I’m on my own, I can easily think my music is just a coping mechanism for my own well-being. Tour has taught me that my music is more than that, because it plays as the relational bond between me and fans. In terms of a message for my audience, I just hope it can be a space where people can be open about how they’re feeling.
1824: You’ve mentioned your love for journaling about all your life experiences — do you think what you write is reflected into your music?
ABRAMS: 100 percent super directly. I can’t imagine myself as a kid just falling into songwriting if I had not been journaling.
1824: Minor seems like a coming-of-age collection. Was it a concept record or something you’ve been sitting on?
ABRAMS: It was definitely a product of where I was at the time — a story of going through a break-up and everything that comes with that. I had been writing my whole life up until that point so it was a step of courage to share something so private. I would say that the album was very much about my relationship to someone else versus now my music has been more about my relationship to myself.
1824: I think there’s a trend of women being more open in their songwriting. What are your thoughts on that and why do you choose to be so open in your writing?
ABRAMS: I’m relieved as a fan of music that so many popular, female artists are writing their own music. I think that’s why a lot of people have such successful careers in their own lanes because it’s easy for people to pick up on what feels authentic. For me, I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for the writing aspect and being the center of my writing makes me excited to share it. Ultimately, I love to sing because I feel like I’m telling the truth when I do it.
1824: Your music is notoriously known for centering around romance, but “Feels Like” was about your best friend. Was it nice for you to write about a platonic relationship, and how was that process different for you?
ABRAMS: Minor was about what I was going through at the time, but it is incredibly lovely to write about something else. It makes me feel relieved to write about a topic that is not so sappy and show that my friends have as much of an impact on my life as romantic relationships.
1824: You often say you were inspired by Lorde’s Pure Heroine growing up. What music was on your middle school playlist and do you think the music you grew up listening to in adolescence influenced you at all?
ABRAMS: I was obsessed with Elliot Smith at a young age and still am. Also The 1975, Taylor Swift, Joni Mitchell, and Lorde will be my forever. My playlists have evolved a little but I still admire who I grew up on and how honest they all were, which is what I aspire to do through my own music.
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