IT’S been a strange sensation for Grace Turner in recent weeks watching the Spotify streams for her single Dead Or Alive skyrocket.
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For a while it was growing at 10,000 plays per day. A fantastic result for a Newcastle indie singer-songwriter who is entirely independent.
As of this week Dead Or Alive had passed 310,000 plays and that’s only likely to grow following the release on Monday of the track’s official video, filmed and directed by Thomas Hudson.
“It originally got onto a couple of Spotify editorial playlists, that’s what set it off in the first instance,” Turner said. “But it only stayed in that playlist for a week, as they get refreshed, and even since then it’s kept growing.”
It’s a success that’s been long overdue. The 28-year-old Newcastle Conservatorium of Music graduate has been performing for a decade and her ethereal vocals and haunting songwriting have built a dedicated fan base.
But the poignancy of Dead Or Alive’s message of overcoming depression through greater communication with friends and family, coupled with the hooky chorus, has finally introduced Turner to a wider audience.
“People seem to be responding to it well and it must be connecting to people in a way,” Turner said. “I feel like it’s relative to anyone. I say that because the lyrics are personal and also broad. People can take something from it.”
The single has also seen Turner booked to support Alex The Astronaut on July 14 at the Cambridge Hotel and several festivals have also expressed interest in adding her in their line-ups.
“I have been doing it for a while and this release is definitely getting me the most attention within the industry,” she said.
“I’ve been performing for a long time, but in terms of releasing songs it feels like a new beginning for me since releasing Angry.
“It definitely feels like things are moving and moving quickly.”
The success of Dead Or Alive has also fast-tracked Turner’s plans to complete her second EP. Her debut EP Live At Turning Studios was released in 2015.
This week Turner will begin recording the final tracks for the record at Sawtooth Studios.
Grace Turner performs at Raave Tapes Shut Down The Cambridge on Saturday.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
