PARIS Grace announced herself as a talent to watch in 2017 when the then 15-year-old won the judges category of the Tip Jar songwriting competition with her track Longer This Time.
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In the ensuing years the former Hunter School of Performing Arts student has continued to develop her craft and build herself a name in the Newcastle music scene.
While the solo career was growing, she wanted more. Grace wanted the band experience. The collaboration. The camaraderie. That feeling you can only achieve smashing out tunes with mates in a garage or rehearsal room.
Almost two years ago Bluetide was born. The five-piece features Grace on vocals, plus fellow teenagers Travis Richmond (drums), Oliver Phelan (lead guitar), Talon Candian (rhythm guitar) and Thomas Wellings (bass).
"I really wanted the experience of being in a band," Grace said. "I'd heard from so many people that it gives you a lot of experience and it really grows yourself as a musician.
"I just did it for fun at the start and now it's really brought us all together. I wanted to meet new people as well and branch out of my comfort zone and push myself a little bit.
"It's definitely been worth it."
During the first year Bluetide took tentative steps, but since Richmond joined the fray 12 months ago their indie-rock sound - which is influenced by the likes of Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ocean Alley - has crystallised.
Last Friday Bluetide released their debut four-track EP Passing Time, which was recorded at Novotone Studios in Carrington by producer Sean Cook just days before the COVID-19 lockdown.
Phelan's soaring guitar solos and Grace's wailing vocals are likely to pique the interest of classic rock fans.
"In the last six months to a year we've really found our sound," Grace said.
"It took us a long time to mesh together but definitely that '90s rock has a huge impact on how we write.
"Our new drummer is awesome. I think he understands our sound more. Our previous drummer was more heavy metal."
Grace said the collaboration had also improved her songwriting.
"On one of the songs I wrote the lyrics with one of the boys in the band so there's more variety in the lyrics," she said.
During the COVID-19 lockdown Grace also released her debut solo EP, Oceans Carry Me Home.
Her initial record launch at Lizotte's was cancelled, but she hopes to announce the rescheduled date in the coming weeks.
ZOOMING OUT
THE coronavirus pandemic has introduced plenty of terms into the mainstream lexicon such as "social distancing" and another for most office workers is the "Zoom meeting."
Brisbane indie-rock darlings Sweater Curse have taken the Zoom meeting out of its sterile corporate context and used it creatively for their latest music video for the single Close.
Besides the three-piece of Monica Sottile (bass, vocals), Chris Langenberg (guitar) and Rei Bingham (drums) the video also features appearances from Newcastle friends Joab Eastley and Lindsay O'Connell of Raave Tapes, plus established stars Phil Jamieson, Julia Jacklin, Alex Lahey, Maz Devita & James Gatling (WAAX), Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music), Patience Hodgson (The Grates) and Andrew Dooris (The Jungle Giants).
DAVE FEELING FINE
ANOTHER act to produce a new video during the coronavirus pandemic is Newcastle three-piece dave the band.
Members Noah Church (guitar, vocals), Gabe Argiris (drums) and Max Tuckerman (bass) filmed and edited the black and white clip themselves for their latest single Fine.
It's the third track released - following Ultrahard and Get Smart - from the band's long-awaited debut album Slob Stories, which dave have announced will finally be released on August 28. The album was recorded by US producer Steve Albini in Chicago in November 2018.
STATION RESTART
NEWCASTLE singer-songwriters Lachlan X. Morris and Boots Porter will kick-off the return of live music to the Hamilton Station Hotel on Friday.
Under the current easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the Beaumont Street venue is limited to soloists and duos. The free gig begins from 9pm and is limited to 50 people, so get in early.
DEVILISH RETURN
FORMER Hi-5 star Nathan Foley is preparing to return to the limelight, but like you've never heard him before.
The Central Coast resident will release his new single She Devil on Friday, which sees the 40-year-old embrace the soulful rock sound reminiscent of Diesel and Jon Stevens.
Foley was a member of Hi-5 from 1999 to 2008 with Newcastle's Charli Robinson, who were Australia's most popular children's group outside of The Wiggles.
Since Hi-5, Foley has lived mostly overseas before he moved back to Australia with his model wife Nicolette Gomex last year and appeared as a contestant on The Voice.
