GRENTPEREZ UNPLUGGED: A MUSICAL JOURNEY FROM BEDROOM COVERS TO GLOBAL STAGES

BY IRVIN RIVERA

In the wild whirlwind world of music, there are artists who capture hearts and minds not just with their melodies but also with the sheer sincerity of their creative journey. Grentperez (Grant Perez), a name that's been steadily rising to prominence, is one such musician whose humble beginnings on YouTube, where he shared heartfelt covers, have evolved into a global sensation. As we sit down for a candid conversation with Grant, he exudes a warm and down-to-earth energy, a testament to his genuine approach to music and life. He's just wrapped up a thrilling tour with Rex Orange County and is gearing up for a headlining tour across the United States. Grant's music has been a source of solace and reflection, and his recently-released EP, 'When We Were Younger,' delves deep into the past while setting the stage for a promising future. As he shares, the EP is his way of connecting with the person he was and the person he's becoming in the midst of his burgeoning career. The juxtaposition of lighthearted humor and poignant moments in his songwriting serves as a unique hallmark of his artistry.

Grant's journey from a bedroom musician to gracing stages worldwide is nothing short of remarkable. With his siblings as musical inspirations, he transitioned from covering songs to crafting his own originals. The Filipino-Australian artist credits his heritage for infusing his music with love-oriented and smooth vibes, which often shine through in his soulful performances. Notably, Grentperez emphasizes the importance of representation in the music industry, particularly for artists of Asian descent, and how breaking free from stereotypical expectations can inspire others. His soaring hit, 'Cherry Wine,' crossing the 100 million streams mark on Spotify, is just a glimpse of the heights he's scaling. As Grant looks forward to his upcoming tour and continued musical evolution, he remains grounded by his dedication to self-care and the invaluable lessons he's learned throughout his career. Grant's story, like the pages of an adventure book he whimsically envisions, is a testament to the enduring quest for creativity, connection, and the exclamation, "Oh man, this is so cool."

FASHION STYLIUNG: MARC ERAM, GROOMING: SHANNON PEZZETTA, PHOTO ASSTS: JESSE ZAPATERO, MATT GERETY

Hi Grent! How are you? What’s keeping you busy recently?

Tour has been keeping me very occupied as of recently! Just came off Rex tour, heading straight into the US run.

Tell us about your recently-released EP, 'When We Were Younger.' What was the inspiration behind this project, and how does it reflect your artistic growth?

When We Were Younger was written during a time of reflection, that I really am only getting older, my friends are growing up, my parents are too, so the EP is a means of me connecting with who I was/am before moving forward into my career.

How has your journey as a musician evolved from your early days as a bedroom musician to performing on stages worldwide?

I'm definitely home a lot less, which I do have a love-hate relationship with, but the journey has grown a lot, can't complain.

Your musical career started on YouTube with covers. What motivated you to transition from covers to creating your own original music?

Just thought I'd give it a crack, my siblings had always written their own music, and always encouraged me to write too, so I wanted to join them in that.

Your songwriting often blends tongue-in-cheek humor with heartfelt moments. How do you strike a balance between these elements in your music?

I think if the actions or lyrics in the song help convey the feeling, then there's no issue in adding silly bits into the song.

What can fans expect from your upcoming headlining tour in October, and what are you most excited about regarding the tour?

Hopefully a fun time. Haha *nervous laughter* ! I'm just excited to be back and see all the lovely faces again.

With 'Cherry Wine' reaching over 100 million streams on Spotify, what goals do you have for your music career moving forward?

To plainly keep at it, keep on keeping on and evolving my sound, experimenting with different genres.

Which artists inspire you?

Rex Orange County, Eagles, Bread, Daniel Caesar, Tyler The Creator, Nora Jones

What are the highs and the lows of your career so far?

Being able to tour the world.

Being tired from touring the world.

And also, making my parents happy.

How were you able to rise up to the challenges?

Still fighting them! Just gotta try my absolute best to stay healthy.

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned throughout your career that you think will always be universally relevant?

I think it's (as corny as it is) super important to look after your mental health. Really make sure you're giving yourself the break you deserve, and serving your brain every now and then, listen to what your heart's telling you. And also, meet new people, interact and learn from one another.