Violet Grae – BYOB

By starrymag | November 4, 2021

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My sound is pretty bold, rhapsodic and honest. If you like Christina Aguilera, SZA and/or PINK you will most likely enjoy my sound. I enjoy making pop anthems that usually have deeper messages regarding social movements in them.

Genre: Pop, Hip Hop, R&B

 

Q) Your single “BYOB” out now, I was able to listen to it, talk about the story behind it. Did you have the lyrics or the music first?

 

A) “BYOB”is fun, sensual, bold and encourages the listener to discard gender stereotypes and to reclaim your power. The song is meant to facilitate acceptance. Redefining “bitch” means we need to actually verbalize it in public. We shouldn’t fear saying it! The less we use the word, the more power we give to the incorrect definition, because it has been incorrectly defined. I started writing BYOB two years ago and it has definitely come into its own once I found the right team for it. I started with the melody and lyrics first!

 

Q) The song was produced by Lex Wolfe and mixed and mastered by Belinda Huang. It really just puts a playful attitude to help break gender stereotypes, the reclamation of power and facilitate acceptance. What were you hoping people takes away from it?

 

A) Let’s stop associating strong, powerful resilient women with negativity and we need to accept humans for who they are. I do not care how you look, who you are, your orientation, your identity or who you love. I want to make music for everyone!

 

Q) Have you received any specific feedback about “BYOB” that has stayed with you?

 

A) The most meaningful feedback has been when that my message has touched and inspired someone to live in their truth. I have had multiple artists and listeners come out to me this year and I am almost in tears thinking about it. It is overwhelming how much a simple song can facilitate people to stand up for who they are.

 

Q) A music video was also posted with the song, directed by Victoria Innocenzi. How involved were you in developing the concept for the video?

 

A) Victoria is my little visionary bad ass and dear friend. I tell her my idea, and she will have an entire treatment color coded, prop list and extras to hire within a few hours. She makes my life easier! She and her partner Hunter Gulan founded their production company, Glass House Visuals, and I cannot recommend them enough!

 

Q) The video was produced by Glass House Visuals. What attracted you to work with them?

 

A) Hunter Gulan and Victoria Innocenzi founded their company Glass House Visuals. They are my favorite duo to create music videos with. They are not only insanely talented but are incredible support systems throughout the entire process.

 

Q) You advocate for equality and facilitate the opportunities for POC, LGTQIA+, Women and indie artists that have been turned away because of who they are who they love. Why is it important to you to stay vocal about those issues?

 

A) This is important to me, because unfortunately we have a long way to go. Even recently I have been turned away for being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and have had music industry CEO’s be unwilling to work with me. I have artists and friends discriminated against on a daily basis basis due to their skin or identity. It fuels my anger, breaks my heart and makes me want to be even louder with my art. The least I can do is provide a safe platform to share these voices and always leave my door open for artists that have nowhere else to go.

 

Q) Being an artist for over a decade and helping the dreams for many artists along the way took you to launch Grae Agency, LA’s most Inclusive and full faceted boutique. How did that come to be?

 

A) Performing for audiences for over a decade is the most rewarding thing on this planet, and I am endlessly grateful that I still have an audience that wants to listen. This has allowed me to spread messages that are important to me and the community.  This has also been a vehicle to help share the spotlight with other emerging artists. I founded Grae Agency, an inclusive artist boutique this year. I wanted to give a home to artists that may have been turned away because of who they are, who they love or how they look.

 

Q) Grae Agency has recently teamed up with Activista Record Label to create new music for you as well as emerging artists. What is your main goal to achieve with Grae Agency moving forward?

 

A) The main goal is to expand and inspire other agencies or labels to show diversity in their roster. I want to start changing the industry one song at a time!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Artists I would love to collaborate with would be Hayley Kiyoko, Kehlani, Bebe Rexha, King Princess and Sophiya.

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) From the bottom of this Grae Babe’s heart, THANK YOU!! I have the most incredible support system on the planet. I am living my truth because of all of you. I will keep creating as long as you’re listening. Xx -V

 

 

Watch The Video for “BYOB”