First release from forthcoming sophomore album
Touring with BEN HARPER this week!
Photo by: Jody Pachniuk
The return of Perth-born, Melbourne-based songwriter and performer Grace Woodroofe, is one in a long journey of reclamation and empowerment. With her first single in eight years, fittingly titled ‘Beginning’, Woodroofe presents herself in her purest form: open, honest and ready to thrive.
‘Beginning’, while serving as an introduction to some, is a beautiful reintroduction to a talented songwriter and musician, who listeners will be hearing much more of as 2023 continues to roll out.
Recorded in Sydney with ARIA-nominated producer Xavier Dunn (Jack River, Peking Duk), Woodroofe used the pain and trauma experienced throughout the course of a long-term relationship to inform her art and ultimately, start a phase of healing that would lead her back to her original love for music.
‘Beginning’, the first single to come from Woodroofe’s forthcoming sophomore studio album, charts the beginning of the end stage of this relationship; the ways in which the reality of an abusive relationship can be overlooked because, simply, the love itself is so crushing.
“I had written many resentment songs when I first began the process of writing this album. They were the easiest to write about and sit with. When I sat down to write ‘Beginning’, I knew it was time to depict the stages that came before the anger. The bargaining, denial and desperation I had to keep things going was an important phase in the story, and a key part in grief. Holding onto key memories, moments and feelings, in order to divert the pain.” GRACE WOODROOFE
What results in ‘Beginning’ is an intimate portrait of Woodroofe’s thoughts and feelings as she revisits a painful time of her life – personally and creatively. The relationship, so intrinsically linked to her artistry and career at the time, brought Woodroofe to some of her lowest points.
And so it is with ‘Beginning’ and this forthcoming record, that she demonstrates her journey in finding herself again. The project has been one of fulfillment for Woodroofe, who today re-emerges as a strong individual; her music hopes to provide solace and inspiration for women and people who may be in similar situations – there is a way out and light to embrace.
A seasoned musician both under her own name, as well as indie-electronic moniker R.W. Grace, Woodroofe has attracted national and international attention for her music. Her touring experience has seen her support the likes of Cat Power, alt-j, Glass Animals and Matt Corby, while also impressing on stages at festivals, including SXSW, CMJ New York, Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival and Southbound.
As R.W. Grace, she has enjoyed multiple successes editorially and on radio; the Dave Sitek-produced single ‘Pluto’ achieving high rotation on triple j, the album as well as producing the popular Matt Corby collaboration, ‘#5’.
Since being discovered by the late Heath Ledger at age 17, who facilitated her first record deal (Ledger’s label, The Masses Music), Woodroofe was able to develop her brand of songwriting and storytelling under the mentorship of world-class musicians, including Ben Harper.
Harper, who produced her debut album Always Want, has remained a source of support and inspiration for Woodroofe – the duo set to reunite this year, with Woodroofe supporting Harper on his Australian tour.
“Ben produced my debut album and took me on the road with him when I had just begun my career. Many years later, we are playing shows together again, and I continue to look up to him as a mentor and incredibly supportive friend. GRACE WOODROOFE
PRAISE FOR GRACE WOODROOFE
“Grace Woodroofe sang like a woman possessed, trying to exorcise herself by sheer force of will. The result was captivating, like watching Fiona Apple, if she were Jack White…” The Boston Globe
“…a singer and songwriter who can be haunted in one song, jolting in the next and somehow always at home within the darkness she conjures. Every track, gentle or hard, leaves (her) voice exposed in all its doleful intimacy.” The New York Times
“She has a flawless voice, transitioning from her baritone chest voice, to an angelic falsetto seamlessly. The complete package of talent, uniqueness and charisma.” The Music
