We chat with up-and-coming country musician and American Idol Season 18 Top 10 finalist, Grace Leer, on her journey within the music industry, how she spent her time on American Idol, and about the release of her debut EP.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the industry?
I started singing at 6-years-old and immediately fell in love with the stage. I loved connecting with an audience and sharing my voice. When I was 10-years-old I began taking vocal lessons and really started to fall in love with music and started to dream about making it a career one day. At the same time I was doing music, I was also playing competitive soccer which landed me a scholarship to play at UC Berkeley where I was captain in my senior year. After graduating, it was time to hang up my cleats and really focus on music 100 percent. So, I started a band in San Francisco that I ended up bringing to Nashville. My first couple of years in Nashville I was playing gigs around town and holding a 9 to 5 sales job. I auditioned for American Idol in 2019 which changed my life, and I am now blessed to be doing music as a full time job, writing and recording my music under 19 Recordings!
You have a new debut EP coming out. Can you walk us through that?
I am so excited about this Debut EP! Self titled, Grace Leer, this record is a look into me as a person...it's what I did right after American Idol, really digging into my songwriting and telling my stories to people in hopes that I connect with them. I am so grateful for every person that has been a part of creating this project...a lot of work, heart, and patience went into it and I cannot wait for people to hear it!
What’s your favorite song on your debut EP?
It is so hard to choose! I feel like I have to say "Brought a Girl" because it is just such a story from start to finish and really sparked the entire project. It was my debut single as well, so that will always be my baby.
You were a top 10 contestant on American Idol. What was the process and experience like?
American Idol was such an amazing experience and has created so many opportunities for me. It truly changed my life. Filming the show from home during Covid was a wild experience but it was something that I was able to focus on during such a scary time in our world and I was grateful to be bringing some entertainment into people's homes! Filming at home, I was my own producer, hype man, makeup artist and everything in between but I learned so much. My favorite moment on the show had to be my Top 40 performance when I sang "Natural Woman" in Hawaii.
What would you consider the ‘highlight’ of your music career?
The highlight of my career is happening RIGHT NOW!I am releasing my debut EP which feels like a dream... and even after that I do not plan to slow down.I still have a lot of music to make and a lot of things to say. This is just the beginning and I am excited for all the people who have been with me and believe in me to be a part of this journey.
Any performances coming up that you are looking forward to?
I will be performing at my EP release show on September 21 and I also will be playing Taste of West Nashville on October 4. More shows to come!