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Gracie Moller is a captivating artist from Auckland, New Zealand, whose music is a raw and unapologetic reflection of her inner world. From a young age, she has been driven by an intrinsic need to tell stories, starting to write songs at just three years old. Known for her fearless songwriting, Gracie explores a vast range of emotions, from joy to heartache, using her music to re-frame and articulate the complexities of life. 

Whether it's a bittersweet recount or a moment of vulnerability, Gracie’s lyrics dive into subjects that most are too shy or polite to address. With a unique ability to turn her whirlwind of racing thoughts into poignant songs, Gracie’s music resonates deeply, offering listeners an honest and relatable voice. Her work is an invitation into her world—one where no subject is off-limits and every emotion is given space to be fully expressed.

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Ones To Watch: Who is Gracie and how would you describe your music?

Gracie: Gracie is me, I guess. I’d say I’m a hopelessly romantic songwriter, very self-deprecating, but I can also riff sometimes. In general, I’d describe my music as "female gaze-y"—I write for gals, yeah.

When did you realise you wanted to pursue music?

I’ve known for as long as I can remember, but I think it really hit me when I was about 3 years old. My dad is a musician and songwriter, so there was never another option for me—it’s always been music.

How would you describe how your music has changed since you started out at a young age?

I was lucky enough to go through different phases during my teenage years, working with a major label and collaborating with various people. But when I turned 19, I finally found my independent voice as a writer, which was really liberating. I think it was also an age thing—I felt like I was becoming myself more and realising who I was. My music has definitely changed from being more experimental to a place that’s more lyrical and storytelling-driven.

Do your songs tend to be based on your own experiences?

Yeah, I definitely write narratively from my own experiences. I write a lot about relationships—both platonic and romantic—and how I feel about myself in those relationships. I’d say a lot of it is self-deprecating, but I also write about other people, too.

Your songs often feel very personal—like a diary. Would you say that’s true?

Yeah, I like to keep my lyrics lighthearted while balancing that with the serious and emotional stuff. In life, I tend to have a sense of humour about even the worst situations, so I think that definitely comes through in my songwriting. (Pauses) Wait, what was your question again? Sorry, I kind of went off on a tangent!

In terms of music, is there something or someone that’s really influenced your sound?

Definitely my friends. I’m so lucky with my group of friends—they’re all incredibly supportive and we all lift each other up. I’m friends with producers, songwriters, artists, and even photographers. A lot of them are musicians in some capacity, even if they’re not professional—they write songs in their spare time. We all want to see each other win and collaborate. That’s been a huge inspiration for me and really keeps me going.

Can you tell us about your songwriting process? How do you come up with new ideas?

I’m very concept-driven. If I stumble across a title I really like, I’ll be more likely to write a song based on that idea rather than just noodling around. I’m a "lyrics-first" songwriter, so a strong concept really excites me. Luckily, life is full of inspiration, so I often have plenty of new ideas!

How do you make sure that the songs you release are exactly how you want them to be?

I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to finalising songs. For example, there’s a song called Miss You on my last EP, and after we mastered it, I ended up sending it back to mix because I wasn’t happy with the vocal levels or the tuning. I’m very picky, but by the time a song is out, I know I’ve done everything I can to make it sound exactly how I want it.

Looking at your career so far, is there a highlight for you?

Definitely! I played my first-ever headline show in Amsterdam last October. It was a small crowd, only about 50 people, but it was so special. It was to celebrate my debut EP, Didn’t Peek at 17, and it felt amazing to connect with the audience on such a personal level. To see people singing my lyrics back to me was definitely a highlight.

How do you ensure your live shows are what you want them to be?

I’m still figuring it out. I don’t think I’ve got it all figured out yet, but I love performing. It definitely makes me nervous, but it’s so rewarding to get out of the studio and connect with an audience. I spend so much time writing in the studio, so performing live is a refreshing change for me.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

I want people to feel like they’re not alone in their feelings when they listen to my music. Whether they're feeling down or questioning something, I want them to feel heard and seen. That’s really important to me.

Is there anything new coming up for you?

Yes, I’ve got a project coming out this year that I’ve been working really hard on. You’ll probably hear the first single announced in the next couple of months, if not sooner. I’m really proud of it. It’s a development from my last EP—it’s longer, with more songs. I won’t say too much about it, but I’m really excited for people to hear it.