Gretta Ray Explained

Gretta Ray
Landscape:yes
Birth Date:22 May 1998
Origin:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Years Active:2016–present
Label:EMI Music Australia

Gretta Louise Ray[1] (born 22 May 1998) is an Australian singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Victoria. In 2016, she was the winner of the national Triple J Unearthed radio competition for bands and songwriters, and the 2016 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, with her song "Drive".[2] To date, Ray has released two studio albums – Begin to Look Around (2021) and Positive Spin (2023) – as well as the EPs Elsewhere (2016) and Here and Now (2018).

Originally making music reflective of indie folk influences, Ray came to embrace pop music as her primary genre with Begin to Look Around. Her songwriting has been described by the Sydney Morning Herald as "conversational, unambiguous lyrics" that "[come] across simply and powerfully",[3] and by Australian music critic Bernard Zuel as "quietly grand pop".[4]

Early life and education

Gretta Ray grew up in Melbourne, Australia, attending Princes Hill Secondary College. She sang in choirs from the age of five, latterly singing and touring with Young Voices of Melbourne, and as the youngest member of If You See Her, Say Hello, a group of 21 Melbourne-based singer-songwriters.[5]

Career

2016–2020: Career beginnings, Elsewhere and Here and Now

See main article: Here and Now (EP). In February 2016, Ray released her debut EP, Elsewhere. In August 2016, she won the national competition for emerging new artists called Triple J Unearthed High, for her song "Drive", which was produced by Nashville-based Australian music producer Josh Barber with Jonathan Dreyfus, recorded by Nick Edin and Fraser Montgomerey and mixed by US producer Ryan Hewit.[6] The song received high-rotation airplay on Triple J.[7] The announcement was made by Triple J presenters Matt Okine and Alex Dyson, who snuck into a school concert while she was performing to surprise her.[8] Unearthed music director, Dave Ruby Howe called her a "...bold and exciting new talent who seems to win over everyone that comes into orbit of her music".[9] Ray also a nomination for a J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year at the 2016 J Awards.[10]

On 27 October 2016, Ray won the 2016 edition of the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, which carries the largest first prize for any songwriting competition in the world.[11] In August 2018, Ray released her second EP titled Here and Now. The following year, Ray released two stand-alone singles: a cover of Bon Iver's "re: Stacks" with Dustin Tebbutt in September, and "Heal You in Time" in December.

2020–2023: Begin to Look Around

See main article: Begin to Look Around. On 20 May 2021, Ray announced her debut album Begin to Look Around, which was released on 27 August 2021.[12] The album debuted at number 13 on the ARIA Charts. In April 2022, Ray announced the Begin To Look Around album tour, which occurred in June 2022.[13] Later in 2022, Ray joined Gang of Youths on their Australian arena tour in support of their album Angel in Realtime, serving as both their opener and a backing vocalist. The shows also saw Ray duet with lead singer David Le'aupepe on "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows", which Ray had previously covered on triple j's Like a Version segment.[14]

2023–present: Positive Spin

See main article: Positive Spin.

On 3 May 2023, Ray released "Dear Seventeen", a song she described as a "focus track" intended to introduce fans to her upcoming release.

On 24 May 2023, Ray held an event in Melbourne's northern suburbs for fans on her official Discord server. The event was a scavenger hunt that led fans to letters which spelled out the name of her sophomore album, Positive Spin, and culminated in its announcement. The album was released on 18 August 2023, and will be followed by a national tour titled The Big Pop Show in September.[15] The album was preceded by the singles "Heartbreak Baby", which was later nominated for Song of the Year at the APRA Awards, "Don't Date the Teenager" and "America Forever", which features vocal contributions from British singer Maisie Peters and American singer Carol Ades.

A deluxe version of the album, titled Positive Spin +, was released on 15 March 2024. It includes reworked versions of the songs "Upgraded" and "Heartbreak Baby", as well as the tracks "Roses" and "Better", a collaboration with Japanese Wallpaper.[16]

In 2024, shortly after moving to London, Ray was diagnosed with infective endocarditis, forcing her to cancel all remaining tour dates for the year.[17] [18] [19]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[20]
Begin to Look Around 13
Positive Spin
  • Released: 18 August 2023
  • Label: EMI Music Australia
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
17

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
EP detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
Elsewhere
  • Released: 16 February 2016[24]
  • Label: Gretta Ray
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
—
Here and Now
  • Released: 10 August 2018[25]
  • Label: Gretta Ray
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
46

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col"
YearCertificationsAlbum
"Unexpected Feeling"[26] 2016Elsewhere
"Drive"[27] Here and Now
"Unwind"[28]
"Towers"[29] 2017Here and Now
"Time"[30] 2018
"Radio Silence"[31]
"Re: Stacks"
[33] 		2019rowspan="3"
"Heal You in Time"[34]
"Better"
[35] 		2020
"Passion"[36] Begin to Look Around
"Bigger Than Me"/"Readymade"[37] 2021
"Human"/"Passion"[38]
"Cherish"/"The Brink"[39]
"Love Me Right"[40]
"It's Almost Christmas in Philly"[41]
"Vienna"[42] 2022 rowspan="2"
"Sweet Disposition"
[44]
"Dear Seventeen"[45] 2023Positive Spin
"Heartbreak Baby"
"America Forever"
[46]
"Don't Date the Teenager"[47]
"Roses"[48] 2024Positive Spin +

As featured artist

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Alone"
[49] 		2016Disinheritor
"A Place That I Don't Know"
[50] 		2018To a Stranger
"Mid Sentence"
[51] 		2020rowspan="2"
"Tous mes copains"
[52] 		2022

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Ray has been nominated for one award.[53] [54]

! |-! scope="row"| 2020| "Radio Silence"| Most Performed Alternate Work of the Year| | [53] |-| 2024| "Heartbreak Baby"| Song of the Year| | [55] |}

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.! |-| 2021|| Begin to Look Around || Breakthrough Artist || | rowspan="8"| [56] |-

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It exists to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence.[57] ! |-| 2023| Positive Spin| Australian Music Prize| | [58] |-

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.! |-! scope="row"| 2016| Gretta Ray| Unearthed Artist of the Year| | [59] |-! scope="row"| 2021| Begin to Look Around| Australian Album of the Year| | [60] [61] |-! scope="row"| 2023| Positive Spin| Australian Album of the Year| | [62] |}

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.! |-! scope="row"| 2017| Herself| Live Blues and Roots Act of the Year| | [63] [64] |}

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[65]

! |-! scope="row"| 2016| "Drive"| Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition| style="background:gold;"| 1st| [66] |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gretta Ray Discography . Discogs.
  2. Web site: Gretta Ray wins $50,000 Vanda & Young songwriting competition: "It's unbelievable!" . . 27 October 2016 . 26 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161028020441/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4564467.htm . 28 October 2016 . dead.
  3. Web site: Bailey . Michael . Gretta Ray review: Triple-threat is here to stay . Sydney Morning Herald . 28 August 2018 . 18 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Zuel . Bernard . GRETTA RAY – BEGIN TO LOOK AROUND; CHVRCHES – SCREEN VIOLENCE: REVIEW . BernardZuel.net. 31 August 2021 .
  5. Web site: A Chat With...Gretta Ray . Mismatch . 21 August 2016.
  6. Web site: Gretta Ray - Drive . Gretta Ray . . 25 March 2017.
  7. Web site: Gretta Ray wins Unearthed High 2016! . . 21 August 2016.
  8. Web site: Matt and Alex surprise Unearthed High winner Gretta Ray . . . 21 August 2016.
  9. Web site: Melbourne musician Gretta Ray wins triple j's Unearthed High . . 18 August 2016 . Jones, Ruby.
  10. Web site: J Awards 2016: Nominations for 2016 . . 2 November 2016 . 2 November 2016.
  11. Web site: Gretta Ray's "Drive" wins 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition! . . 27 October 2016.
  12. Web site: Gretta Ray announces debut album 'Begin to Look Around' . . 20 May 2021 . 21 May 2021 . Langford, Jackson . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520024507/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/gretta-ray-announces-debut-album-begin-to-look-around-2944515/ . 20 May 2021 . live.
  13. Web site: Gretta Ray Announces June National Tour Dates. Music Feeds. 14 April 2022. 14 April 2022.
  14. Web site: Newstead . Al . Spoiler Alert: what went down at Gang of Youths' first Perth show in three years . triple j . August 2022 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 18 August 2023.
  15. Web site: Gretta Ray announces new album and The Big Pop Show tour . . 25 May 2023 . 21 May 2024.
  16. Web site: Gretta Ray Releases Deluxe Edition Of ‘Positive Spin’, Shares ‘Roses’. Music Feeds . 14 March 2024 . 20 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Gretta Ray Is Recovering From Health Ordeal: ‘It’s Been a Scary Time’ . . 16 July 2024 . 20 August 2024.
  18. Web site: Gretta Ray cancels all upcoming shows whilst recovering from severe heart infection . The Line of Best Fit . 31 July 2024 . 20 August 2024.
  19. Web site: Gretta Ray has cancelled her shows to recover from a rare heart disease. So what is endocarditis?. . 31 July 2024 . 20 August 2024.
  20. Web site: Discography Gretta Ray. australian-charts.com. 25 August 2023.
  21. Web site: Begin to Look Around . . 27 August 2021 . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520223551/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/cd-ray-gretta-begin-to-look-around-cd/ . 20 May 2021 . live.
  22. Citations for the vinyl release of Begin to Look Around:
    • Web site: Begin to Look Around (Vinyl) . . 27 August 2021 . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520223335/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-ray-gretta-begin-to-look-around-vinyl-2lp/ . 20 May 2021 . live.
    • Web site: Begin to Look Around (JB Hi-Fi AU Exclusive Coke Bottle Green Vinyl) . . 27 August 2021 . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520223144/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-ray-gretta-begin-to-look-around-jb-hi-fi-au-exclusive-coke-bottle-green-vinyl-2lp/ . 20 May 2021 . live.
  23. Web site: Begin to Look Around by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 27 August 2021 . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520224307/https://music.apple.com/au/album/begin-to-look-around/1566816210/ . 20 May 2021 . live.
  24. Web site: Elsewhere – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 16 February 2016 . 16 August 2018.
  25. Web site: Here and Now – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 10 August 2018 . 16 August 2018.
  26. Web site: My debut EP 'Elsewhere' is now available for online purchase WORLD WIDE, including my single 'Unexpected Feeling' . . 20 March 2016 . 16 August 2018.
  27. Web site: Drive – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 1 August 2016 . 16 August 2018.
  28. Web site: Unwind – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 26 September 2016 . 16 August 2018.
  29. Web site: Towers – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 15 March 2017 . 16 August 2018.
  30. Web site: Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 23 April 2018 . 16 August 2018.
  31. Web site: Gretta Ray unveils her new single "Radio Silence" . Ind Scene . 6 August 2018 . 16 August 2018.
  32. Australia. single. 2021. 7 July 2021.
  33. Web site: Re: Stacks (with Dustin Tebbutt) – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 6 September 2019 . 22 December 2019.
  34. Web site: Heal You in Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 13 December 2019 . 22 December 2019.
  35. Web site: Better – Single by Gretta Ray & Japanese Wallpaper on Apple Music . . 11 November 2020 . 13 November 2020.
  36. Web site: Passion – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 4 December 2020 . 5 December 2020.
  37. Web site: Bigger Than Me / Readymade – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 12 March 2021 . 12 March 2021.
  38. Web site: "Human"/"Passion" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 20 May 2021 . 23 July 2021.
  39. Web site: "Cherish"/"The Brink" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 23 July 2021 . 23 July 2021.
  40. Web site: My debut album Begin To Look Around is OUT NOW! As is my new single "Love Me Right", and my favourite music video we've done for this campaign . Twitter . 27 August 2021 . 27 August 2021.
  41. Web site: "It's Almost Christmas in Philly" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 26 November 2021 . 8 June 2022.
  42. Web site: Vienna – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 6 May 2022 . 28 June 2022.
  43. Web site: Feb Single Accreds 2024. ARIA. March 2024. 18 March 2024.
  44. Web site: Sweet Disposition – Single by Budjerah, Ngaiire and Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 23 September 2022 . 30 September 2022.
  45. Web site: first baby of the new era is out in the big wide world. i am so proud of it !!!! i really hope u like it darlings . Twitter. 4 May 2023. 8 May 2023.
  46. Web site: Gretta Ray Releases New Single 'America Forever', Featuring Maisie Peters and Carol Ades. Music Feeds. 4 July 2023. 5 July 2023.
  47. Web site: Gretta Ray's Sound Advice: 'Don't Date the Teenager'. Rolling Stone Australia. 4 August 2023. 6 August 2023.
  48. Web site: Gretta Ray Shares A Love Letter To London With New Single 'Roses'. The Music. 14 March 2024. 16 March 2024.
  49. Web site: Alone (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Noah Earp on Apple Music . . 28 October 2016 . 28 March 2022.
  50. Web site: A Place That I Don't Know (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music . . 29 November 2018 . 30 November 2018.
  51. Web site: Mid Sentence (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music . . June 2020 . 13 November 2020.
  52. Web site: Tous mes copains – Single by So Frenchy So Chic & Gretta Ray on Apple Music . . 20 May 2022 . 28 June 2022.
  53. Web site: Tones and I leads nominations for 2020 virtual APRA Awards . . 7 April 2020 . 11 April 2020.
  54. Web site: 2020 Awards . . 7 April 2020 . 11 April 2020 . 9 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200409145024/https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2020-awards/apra-music-awards/ . dead .
  55. Web site: G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year. The Music. 22 February 2024. 23 February 2024.
  56. Web site: ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge . . 20 October 2021 . 24 October 2021 . Kelly, Vivienne . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ . 20 October 2021 . live.
  57. Web site: About the AMP. Australian Music Prize. 24 January 2023.
  58. Brandle . Lars . 28 November 2023 . Troye Sivan Shortlisted for 2023 Australian Music Prize . . 29 November 2023.
  59. Web site: J Awards: 2016 . . 2016 . 15 August 2020.
  60. Web site: Triple j reveals J Awards nominees. The Music Network. 1 November 2021. 1 November 2021. Kelly, Vivienne.
  61. Web site: Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. 20 November 2021.
  62. Web site: Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023.
  63. Web site: NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees . National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) . 9 October 2017 . 5 September 2020.
  64. Web site: Winners 2017 . National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) . December 2016 . 5 September 2020.
  65. Web site: About the Vanda & Young Global Song Writing Competition . . 12 March 2021.
  66. Web site: Past Winners . . 13 March 2021.

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