A half-and-half mix of original tracks and immediately recognisable covers, Robert Grace’s set on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions Y&E Series last night, supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was a heartfelt ode to music.

His original tracks ranged from the “first half-good song” he wrote at 17 — and I’ll say ‘Cardboard Boxes’ is leagues ahead of just half-good — to the especially current ‘Fake Fine’. The latter stole the show as he exemplified his powerful storytelling regarding themes of isolation, depression and self deprecation plus a cheeky Tiger King reference, a zeitgeist of 2020. With a stunning navy blue guitar in hand, he painted pictures with music. Without layers of production to smooth everything out, he proved his raw talent alone in his room.

Grace’s cover of Robyn’s iconic dance track ‘Dancing On My Own’ completely transformed the track, accessing the side of desperation and heartbreak in Robyn’s lyrics by opting for acoustic guitars and a harmony pedal rather than massive synths. The cover felt like an original song, showcasing his creativity and love for the vulnerable side of music. ‘Fast Car’, originally by Tracy Chapman, was more traditional in the sense that it stayed to the song’s core tone, yet the power in his voice once again captured the classic’s true beauty.

Revisit his performance here:

 

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#YandESeries #lockdownsessions @robertgracemusic supported by @culture.heritage.gaeltacht

A post shared by Hot Press (@hotpressmagazine) on Jul 23, 2020 at 12:09pm PDT