Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Grete
Introduction of the project
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My mother used to sing in a choir when she was pregnant with me and when I was born, so I grew up in a choir room listening to people singing. I remember quickly learning the songs they were singing, running around in the room and joining in. I used to sing in their concerts when I was 4-5 years old, barely holding the microphone but confident and with a smile.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
For many years I sang other people’s music, after graduating from school and an amazing experience in The Voice of Lithuania in 2018 I decided to move to the UK and study music and songwriting. Learning there for 4 years was the best experience ever, being surrounded by talented people, collaborating and sharing ideas was what gave me the passion for songwriting.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
At the moment I am releasing singles from my newest EP that will be coming out in June. Its all in lithuanian, I’m beginning a new journey and career back home in Lithuania. The EP is telling the stories and feelings about connections made at home, romances, memories etc.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I don’t like to put myself in one or two genres, I have released jazz, alternative rock, pop and r&b music, at the moment my sound is modern r&b with some pop influences. I love an interesting harmony, edgy and personal lyrics and experimenting!
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
My way of writing changes so often, I think the thing that influences the change is always a new artist I’m into in the moment. I like to analyse what other musicians do in songs and sometimes try that myself. It’s inspiring what people write lyrics about, what different vocal production techniques and instrumentation they use, all of that influences my approach to music.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I use Logic pro, that’s the software I’m most comfortable with, I always need a midi keyboard and I’ve been playing bass for a couple years, so a lot of my songs start from that. Other essentials are a safe and cozy environment, notebook and inspiration:)
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Some lithuanian artists are very much worth a listen like Free Finga and Angelou, they are my favourites at the moment. I also really enjoy ELIZA, The KTNA ar MARO!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Most of my songs are born from my personal experiences, when I was heartbroken about a boy, I was mostly writing sad jazzy heartbreak songs, then there was a time when I felt really confident and got into playing bass so my music shifted to r&b. At the moment I am really missing my home country Lithuania, so most of my music is about my memories from home.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope when people are listening to my music they find a piece of themselves in the lyrics or catch a familiar emotion while listening to the instrumentation. People’s music usually comes from feelings we have inside and other’s connect to that, because we’re all just human and feel similar things in life. Sometimes we don’t even know we were hurting about something before hearing a song about it and etc.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Everyone says this but not giving up is the most important thing in this industry. I have heard so many no’s and lost of criticism and I know I will receive much more of that in the future. But believing in your craft and that there is a path for you here is what keeps me going everyday.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Some venues in Lithuania like my home town arena “Zalgiris arena” or the new stadium. I live in Manchester and over the years I have worked in a few music venues where I saw unbelievingly big artists in their early careers. Performing at O2 Apollo or Bridgewater Hall would be an amazing dream come true
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Again my two favorite artists in Lithuania Free Finga and Angelou, because my music sounds the way it does because of them. The Weeknd is my all time favorite artist and it’s very unlikely it will ever happen but that would be the biggest thing in the world for me! And I can’t forget to mention Zara Larsson, I’ve been following her career from the very beginning, I am hugely impressed with her vocals and determination which makes me really badly want to work with her!
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Here’s my website where you can find all my social media and music: https://linktr.ee/ greteeit
My name on instagram and TikTok is @greteeit, and you can find my music everywhere under name Grete
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
To release some albums in Lithuania, win over people’s hearts and hopefully connect the lithuanian and international audiences and start touring with my music
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope to bring new colours in pop and r&b music, combine these genres with a bit of rock and even jazz and create something new for people to discover in music.
