by emily harris
photo by arisak
Twenty-year-old Grace Aimi has just released her debut EP PICNIC. The six tracks define her radiant but raspy sound and place her as a strong force within the industry. The biracial Gen Z songstress is using her platform to connect with fans across the globe. We had the chance to chat with her about the eighteen minute long EP and her career as a whole!
Congrats on the release of your debut EP PICNIC! How does it feel to finally have these six songs out?
Grace: “Thank you very much. Words can’t even describe how happy I’ve been feeling since the release of my EP. Knowing that my supporters can now listen to a body of work from me makes feel really grateful and giddy inside. I’m enjoying this lil picnic, but I can’t wait to drop the next one.”
Can we discuss how eclectic your EP artwork is! What was the inspiration behind the blend of cartoons and your self-portrait?
G: “As a kid I’ve always loved drawing and painting, so much so that I was actually thinking about going to art school after high school. I think I’m a pretty animated character in real life so it felt right to mix normal Grace with animation Grace. She’s my little sidekick.”
Where did the title PICNIC originate from?
G: “I always wish I could answer this kind of question with a cool back story, but it just came from wanting people to feel like they’re at a picnic when they listen to my EP. Who doesn’t like having a picnic?”
The fifth track, “My Eyes,” is one of your most streamed songs. What is it about this track that you think resonates with so many people?
G: “I think ‘My Eyes’ is popular because it’s a song about cheating, but I wrote it to sound really light and simple. Like, shit happens sometimes and you just have to move on, and it’s better to feel good inside when you do, keep that love around you as you move. :) I think it’s a song that you can just play and have fun. ‘My Eyes’ is one of my mom’s favorites.”
What inspired you to begin the EP with a song like “Eternal Sunshine?”
G: “You can’t start a good picnic without some nice sunshine! Right when I made ‘Eternal Sunshine’ I knew that there was something about it. That’s why I made it my debut single and first song in my EP. It’s a song that purely makes me feel happy. Everybody loves the sunshine.”
Why did you choose to end the EP with a track like “True Feelings,” the shortest track on PICNIC?
G: “I wrote ‘True Feelings’ when I was feeling the most sad and depressed in my life and it’s my first song that I got vulnerable on about myself. I’ll write a sad vulnerable love song any day, but writing about your own demons and monsters can make you feel very open to harm. I was able to put those emotions into something beautiful and real. After writing this song I felt a lot of the weight that I had been carrying on my shoulders fly away and I think that I wanted others to feel the same way. Everyone has their own ups and downs and spots that they’d rather hide, but that’s what makes us special. Maybe I subconsciously wanted to end the EP letting people know that you don’t have to hide your true feelings??”
How has being so young within the industry affected how you write and produce your music?
G: “I don’t think I’ve been in the industry long enough to see it affect me in anyway, but I think being young gives me a fresh opinion on life. Age is a really big and important part of Japanese culture so I don’t think anything will affect me just because of my age.”
What song would you recommend someone to listen to if they haven’t heard of you before?
G: “I’d say ‘True Feelings.’ It perfectly shows my personality, the happy and sad parts of me. But they should just go ahead and listen to all of them if they’re already typing my name [laughs].”