Music Review and Interview with Greta Gray

Music Review for ‘Save Lady Gaga’

Greta Gray is an Italian artist/performer, singer and songwriter, whose music is essentially commercial pop with a strong dance/electronic element. In 2012 she released her first single Out Of My Way which instantly garnered her acclaim and a burgeoning fanbase. Her second single Joy From Outer Space was also a success, racking up thousands of hits on YouTube in a short space of time.

Her third single, Save Lady Gaga, has been released in February, 2015 and is already gaining a lot of attention. The meaning behind the song is creating a lot of discussion amongst her fans, though Greta explains the real meaning on her official website: “My song is a personal tribute to her for being such an inspiration to us all…it’s an invented story, a work of fiction: she has been kidnapped and I’m trying to save her from danger…”.

The song makes a lot more sense when you listen to the lyrics with this in mind. It begins with a catchy four-note synth riff before a pounding dance beat enters. Greta’s distinctive voice begins the verse, her vocal melody similar to the synth riff, but embellishing it. It leads to the chorus based around the title and it is genuinely one of the most instant, catchy vocal hooks I’ve heard for some time. It is this hook alone that I think will make this song a hit, though it is musically interesting throughout with great dynamics.

Overall, this is a superb choice for a single, perfect for both radio and the dancefloor, with an intriguing subject/title that is already proving to be a talking point and will become a useful angle for the music media to latch onto. Greta Gray has a quirky and original style with an excellent voice, a truly memorable song and a fanbase ready to spread the word, so with enough exposure I expect this track to become a huge success.

By Alex Faulkner

I’m 34 and a freelance music journalist, as well as a composer and producer. I’ve written reviews for UK newspapers and music websites. I run my own blog, reviewing the best new bands and artists . I’m very passionate and knowledgeable about music and that shows in my writing.

Exclusive Interview with Greta Gray!

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

       Greta Gray:  I bumped into Exposed Vocals on Twitter and I immediately found it really interesting to promote my music.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

       Greta Gray:  As many artists I fell in love with music when I was a child and I first listened to Etta James and Billie Holidays old vinyls my mum used to put on. But Blues and Jazz were just the beginning. Later on I had my first approach to Electronic Pop music and in the meantime I realized that I needed to write something on my own. So in 2012, after about two years of songwriting, I grabbed a discographic contract and I released my first singles “Out Of My Way” and “Joy From Outer Space”. I think the artistic attitude has always been inside me. I just had to let it burst out.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

       Greta Gray:  Greta Gray is a pseudonym. It’s a mix between my real name and the name of the fictitious character Dorian Gray from Oscar Wilde. That’s my tribute to an author who I love for his being ahead of his times and for his aphorisms as well.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

       Greta Gray:  Online sharing is like creating a wide window for your music and your image. It’s a very effective advertisement of your art. I think it really gives you the possibility to reach lots of people around the world directly. That’s intriguing!

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

       Greta Gray:  Music is a journey for me. You leave and you don’t know where it’s going to take you. For many people the destination could be fame and richness. But that happens to a few. The real thing for me is to communicate with people and leave a message through my artistic growth. That’s also difficult cause you don’t often have the right opportunities. So the only advice is: gotta try till you die!

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

       Greta Gray:  Of course, it happens. That usually means that you had a lack of concentration or that you didn’t rehearse enough. So I try to go on with the show. But after the show I revise my exhibition thoroughly and my mistakes are what I learn from.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

       Greta Gray:  In 2014 I performed all around the northen Italy and show after show the audience got more and more involved. Eventually, during my last gigs, nobody could help themselves dancing and singing with me and, you know, that’s the best thing you can experience on the stage. That’s the real aim of being an entertainer!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

       Greta Gray:  Inspiration for my songs comes from my life like everyone. It sometimes comes from a conversation with a friend, from a dialogue in a movie or just from the view from my windows. But after the initial idea I try to develop the concept in an original way using irony and metaphors (as Oscar Wilde used to do too).

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

       Greta Gray:  Absolutely, I keep my fans updated on www.gretagrayofficial.com and they can also listen to my music on the main music streaming providers such as Spotify and Soundcloud. My songs are also available on iTunes and Amazon.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

       Greta Gray:  I have a lot of music on my player. And there are surely songs that some people wouldn’t like. But who decides what music is embarrassing and what is not? If I have it, it means that it has stricken me in some way.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

       Greta Gray:  That’s a very difficult question. A lot of things come to my mind. I would surely travel a lot around the world to gather all the inspiration I can. And then I would try to work on the album of my life, my masterpiece, the one that makes the difference.

                                 “So how do we do it? Could I leave you my bank account details?”

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

       Greta Gray:  I’ve just released my brand new single “Save Lady Gaga” which is in honor of one of the most influent artist of our days. I’ve also filmed the videoclip of the song and it’s going to be online in a few days.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

       Greta Gray:  The Internet has turned the people’s existence upside down. It has completely changed everyday communication and so nowadays all the artists, it doesn’t matter if popular or not, cannot avoid staying online. There’s me too. I think Facebook, Twitter and Youtube are the best way for promotional activities.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

       Greta Gray:  I think that Freddy Mercury was a great artist: an incredible singer and a born to perform creature. He was also very innovative, just think about the album with Monserrat CaballŽ. I wish he could write an album for us both. Then, about the place, I don’t mind. It only has to be big enough to contain all of ours fans!

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

       Greta Gray:  I’ve started collaborations with DJs and rappers and maybe we’ll come up with some breathtaking hits. Let’s see!

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

       Greta Gray:  I really can’t think about my life without music. It has always been my fatal attraction. So if I weren’t lucky enough to make my own music, I think that any job that I would be doing, I would have earphones on, listening to other people’s.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

       Greta Gray:  Yes, I do. It was the Destiny’s Child’s third album, “Survivor”, with the single “Bootylicious”. They were amazing. Just had to have it!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

       Greta Gray:  It’s tough, but nothing comes to you if you don’t work hard on it. So I try to organize myself as best I can and I put all my energy into everything I do. It’s really important to stay positive, so find your mantra! Mine is: “If I can dream it, I can do it”.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

       Greta Gray:  I’m gonna release my first album and, believe me, you’ll think: “I have to have it!”.