The Alchemist

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll have announced that my second EP, The Alchemist, will be coming out on December 6th, 2024 — and we will all be collectively freaking out. I am beyond proud of these songs for so many reasons and im so excited to share them with you. 

I decided to name the project The Alchemist for a few reasons. As a song, The Alchemist represents so much of who I am and who I am becoming. It’s about my tendency to try to fix people (who frankly don’t want my fixing), and believing that pouring enough love on anything can make someone change their mind about me and about themselves. As I continued making this project, though, this song began to represent much more than that. It became a personal anthem to me about my ability to create beauty and light out of my pain. The past year to sum it up was stamped with the worst depression, anxiety, and dissociation that I have experienced in my life, and there were times when it felt impossible to do anything in all honesty. These songs were my lifeline. BUT they were also absolute bitches to make and at times turned into physical enactments of the worst narratives in my brain that were screaming “You’re not good enough” “You shouldn’t be doing this” “No one cares” etc etc. Brains can be mean. I’m not saying this to garner sympathy but rather to say that through all of this, I never stopped creating, even when I didn’t want to, and it dragged me out of that place, by tooth and nail, one word at a time. I want to empower you to never let anyone or anything stop you from seeing the world as a beautiful place. A hard heart helps no one. You have the power to prove the negative versions of yourself wrong everyday, even if it hurts and is challenging. Rust can turn to gold, pain can become strength, and anger can somehow settle into forgiveness. 

I know it sounds cliché, but I mean it: knowing that no matter what happens with these songs, you are on the other side listening, making friends, and making memories to them is what keeps me going. From the deepest part of my heart thank you for being here and always supporting me. My whole life I have only ever wanted to make people seen and heard and receive that same level of understanding, and I’m so lucky that I get to feel that every single day with you, however close up (like at shows…) or far away. I promise I will keep going for as long as you let me. Soon it will be time for this EP to go from being mine to being ours and that is the greatest gift in the world. Treat these songs well, it took a lot for them to be born. I can’t wait for all the memories we’ll make to them. Love you guys x infinity. 

xoxo Grace (the alchemist)

(from the day of the EP shoot)

Grat Summer

As August is more than halfway done, it has dawned on me that Brat Summer is almost over. 

Now, brat summer is in fact a mentality and can not be contained to the three months of June July and August, but before it's over I would like to write out my own list of things that I think are Grat and apply to Grat Summer. (starting with a few as seen on my Instagram story). Lucky for you, Grat summer is also a mentality and can last you deep into February and beyond. Anyways, things that are Grat:

1. Overdressing for casual occasions
    
   
2. Underdressing for fancy occasions
   
   
3. Fermented foods
   
   
4. Morning walks before checking phone
   
   
5. Taking yourself on playdates such as rock climbing, museum-going, watercolor painting, park-wandering, and any other activities that illicit childlike wonder
   
   
6. Crying for absolutely no reasonable reason
   
   
7. Watching movies (Grat movie summer list includes Daisies, Begin Again, Devil Wears Prada, High School Musical 2, Shrek, Reputation movie, Clueless, and Ferris Bueler's Day Off to name a few)
   
   
8. Going out and ordering a single drink (very demure)
   
   
9. A dozen 1-dollar oysters
   
   
10. Letting love find you (I'll let you know how that goes)

Playlist for Grat Summer (truly wild mix of vibes to represent the complete change of mental condition from week to week): 

1. It's No Fun by Me (duh)
   
   
2. Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
   
   
3. Girls Like You by Paper Planes
   
   
4. Crazy Frog by Axel F
   
   
5. Diet Pepsi by Addison Rae
   
   
6. Check It Out by Will.I.Am. and Nicki
   
   
7. Velvet Ring by Big Thief
   
   
8. Add Up My Love by Clairo
   
   
9. Why Do I Cry by Margo Guryan
   
   
10. Half As Far by Friko
    
    
11. Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton
    
    
12. Good Luck Babe obviously
    
    
13. 360 by Charli XCX 

EMO

Hi guys, 

It's been three weeks since "It's No Fun" came out. Since then, I've gone from New York (New Jersey), back to LA, back to New York (New Jersey), to Newport Rhode Island, back to New Jersey (I give in), and now to Montauk to open for another Laufey show tomorrow. Oh, and I turned 22 in the process. 

from july 22

The past two birthday's were really not fun (queue 20 by me) but this year's was honestly so awesome. It makes me so happy to be surrounded by so much love in my life, and your slide show with 51 SLIDES of thoughtful notes was truly the cherry on top. I also have watched all of your videos on TikTok over the past month and it will never not be so insane to see my songs affecting you so personally. We really have no original experiences lol. 

some food in new york

This morning I went on a run and jumped in the ocean and it dawned on me that it's almost the one year anniversary of Well Here We Are, and what an insane year it's been. I went on tour with Maisie and Laufey, two of my favorite artists and now friends, got to do insane live performance videos at VEVO, played unreleased songs at meet-ups in London and across the US,  filmed two music videos, started this blog, and met so many of you at my first two headline shows and in the outside world (literally insane that people have come up to me in public). We're such a lil tight-knit family and I'm truly so lucky to know you. 

I feel like a chapter is closing and I can't wait to show you what's in store for chapter 2. We're not being evicted from the neighborhood, but perhaps we're upscaling into a really nice apartment with a dog park across the street. I think I maybe even hopefully wanna see you again in person, crazy crazy thought. First more music has to come, but I am excited to look back a year from now and see all the places we'll go and everything we'll do. 

Love you lots, see you tomorrow Montauk, 

Grace 

Some Words on "It's No Fun"

        Today (yesterday while you’re reading this) I announced It’s No Fun is coming out this Friday. It’s been a while since I’ve put something out into the world. I’m so excited, and I’m also nervous.

        This song marks a shift for me, internally and externally. I think in the past the songs I’ve put out were my best-written songs - that is to say that while they might not have been completely autobiographical, they were stories based on nuggets from my life that I could mine and exaggerate to show off how clever I could be and what concept I could think of: how good of a songwriter could I be? Kind of like mental masturbation (am I allowed to say that?)

        I started writing for my first project at 18 and since then, a lot has changed: I’ve written a hit song with my best friends, left college, moved across the country, gone on tour three times, shared drinks with the vampires of Los Angeles whom Tom Petty and Olivia Rodrigo so poignantly write about, had a complicated friend breakup that felt more intense that any romantic rift I’ve ever had, made new friends, hunted for new creative partners, broke myself down and built myself back up over and over again, trying to figure out who I am to myself and who I am to other people. 19-22 has been so wonderful, but Taylor Swift was definitely onto something with the "happy free confused and lonely at the same time" bit. The songs written during this time were and continue to be my lifeline. 'It’s No Fun' is one of those songs. I needed it in a way I haven’t really felt since I was 12 writing about what felt like the end of the world (mean girls who didn’t invite you to their birthday party and boys who liked your friend over you)(she was wearing a bra already and was super good at soccer).

        I love this record. I love how I sound, how it sounds, how I felt making it with Ryan (shoutout Ryan. You are not only amazing at every instrument, but also an amazing person and you let me be weird and burp into the mic), and how I felt writing it with Annika and Rory (also shoutout). Writing it felt like everything I needed to say but couldn’t find the words to. 

        Thank you Sierra who took my photo and Frostie who did my makeup and my friend’s uncle who let us use his apartment for the cover art photo shoot. I love how it turned out and the blue eyeshadow eeeee.

        I lastly want to thank my managers. They’re really incredible people and have helped me through a lot, even when I change my mind about everything and produce my songs three separate times (sorry).

        The most exciting thing to me is when the song reaches your ears, it will become yours. There is freedom in that to me. Because no longer is it about a shitty person or experience or whatever, but it’s about you guys and healing and screaming with your friends or at shows together, and that fucking rocks.

        Ok that’s it. I’m going to bed really happy. I can’t wait for you to hear the full song. And I will be promoting this one annoyingly a lot because I love it so much sorry. Anyways, I love you guys.

Logging off,
Bridge Queen, Grace Enger

Welcome Back (me to myself)

Why hello there. 

I'm writing from my childhood bedroom in Hoboken, NJ (no I still haven't gone to wawa and that needs to change). I haven't written on here in a while and I've really missed it. 

If I'm being honest, I haven't been in the best place mentally. For the past year I have been trying to find a new producer for the next project and I tried songs over and over and over only to feel they weren't good enough for myself or for you. My tone now is pretty light but truly it was one of the most helpless moments of my life. I want to stand undoubtedly behind everything I put out, and when I don't feel like my vision is being executed it makes me break down (I used to cry when I colored outside of the lines if that gives you any idea of what it's like in my brain). I think I was scared to show this part of the process with people because I didn't think they would want to hear about the negative parts of my life, especially when from the outside everything probably seems great. 

I am happy to say that I am so inspired by the music I am making now and you will get to hear it very soon. AND I am way happier. Getting out of LA and being with my family and friends here is important for me. I feel like a person again. 

I've been writing new songs, reading ("Boy Parts by Eliza Clark, it's raunchy but I really like it), feeling like a fan of music again, a fan of life really. And I've been going around and trying a bunch of new food like this Korean place Kisa (10/10 go here if you're in New York) and these slushies at A & N Fruit Store (also a 10/10 I got the green apple flavor) with my friend Mia. 

OH we also went to the Whitney and saw their bicentennial exhibit which was pretty graphic I won't lie but it compared how marginalized groups have been dehumanized and how AI will also strip of us of our humanity and what that means for art and art from women, POC, etc. I went to a few gallery openings as well this week but I don't really know what any of the art was about (I was more interested in the free wine and the people watching). 

Anyways, back to the music. The songs that I'm getting ready to put out are the most personal yet and while that's extremely scary for me, it also is exciting. Like running into someone you never wanted to see again on the street. That's what it feels like kind of. Or your mom reading your diary. idk. 

I think that's all I have for you for now. Thanks for sticking with me and being patient. We'll talk soon. 

Love, 

Grace 

p.s. wait last time I said I'd tell you my favorite 5 songs at the moment in the blogs so here: 

1. Tenha Fé by Os Originais Do Samba 

2. Close To You by Gracie Abrams even though it just came out today like I'm obsessed 

3. Sexy to Someone Clairo cuz duh 

4. 1234 by Fiest 

5. I Am The Walrus by The Beatles the production is just insane 

Funnest Facts

I initially started this blog as a way to get to know each other, so I thought this week I would share some extra fun facts that you might not know about me. 

1. I was on Cake Boss two times (proof below) 

2. I sing background vocals on a Goo Goo Dolls song that is currently out, but I won't tell you which one because I'm cryptic. 

3. I dislocated my elbow at gymnastics class in 7th grade by trying to do an ariel - I was far too old and too tall to be in the novice class but we ignore such things.  

4. I was vegan for five years, vegetarian for two, and now have been pescetarian for two. Basically, I have just been regressing slowly. My veganism was proof to myself that it would not be very hard to convince me to join a cult. Love vegans tho. 

5. My first ever concert was Troye Sivan at Webster Hall with LANY as the opener. It was the Blue Neighborhood tour and I didn't know either of their music. But I left and Blue Neighborhood became one of my favorite albums in 6th grade. and ILYSB. I used to be embarrassed about this because my first concert wasn't like Stevie Nicks or some legendary person your parents take you to, but now Troye Sivan is cool so it's ok. 

6. I used to religiously watch Pretty Little Liars every Tuesday. I tried rewatching it recently and the acting was so painful, and I think it gave me nightmares, but nonetheless, I was hooked. 

7. I have the same birthday as Selena Gomez, and I used to think that meant we were supposed to be best friends. 

8. The one time I've ever gotten myself in a car accident, I was listening to Reckless Driving by Lizzy McAlpine and Ben Kessler.

9. I hate oranges. 

10. People didn't really know that I did music until the end of high school, but I was very into sports. I was my basketball team's all-star my junior year of high school. Ball is lyfe. 

Those are all the fun facts I can think of. Hope you found them fun and factual. 

xoxo,

Grace

Hi Hi Hi (1 Month till Tour)

Hi Guys. 

    Miss You. Feels like we haven't chatted in a bit. Wanted to say hi and update you. If you were just on live with me too, hi. 

    One month until tour with Laufey. Feeling excited to get to share the stage with Laufey, meet new people, and play in beautiful venues. Definitely nervous as well. Been putting pressure on myself to be better, do better, make better, everything. It's motivating. But I'm trying to learn to also just accept good things as good now, and not as things that will be good in the future. 

    I've been writing a lot and beginning to finish music. I'm very proud of the songs I've been writing. Probably the most honest I've ever been in my music. Definitely more mature. I have been thinking about the visual identity for my next stuff too. It's exciting to have a blank slate. There are so many things to be drawn to, and I've been realizing that most of the stuff I like is because of my parents, as are most things. 

    Deleted social media last weekend. It felt good. I'm someone who needs breaks from it. I get stressed about how I'm perceived. Not in my music, but visually. That's the kind of anxiety that happens when you've been on the internet since you were 10. I'm trying to figure out the balance between connecting with the people I love online (reading your dms makes me so so happy) and all the bombardment of stuff I don't need to see. I'll lyk if I ever figure it out. 

    I've been very busy.  Most days, I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off. Workout, therapy or coffee with a friend (same release, different levels of sound advice), session, sometimes another session, drive around (oh fuck I ran out of gas), social media, see another friend and make dinner, remember there were 5 things I forgot to do that day, read my book (Catcher In The Rye currently) and drift to sleep to do it again tomorrow. I like being busy though. It keeps me sane. 

    Oh, and I've started to watch movies. If you know me, you know I've seen no movies, so this is big for me. Watched Fight Club, Frances Ha, and Lost In Translation. Liked them all for different reasons. Lost in Translation makes me need to go to Japan, but it wasn't my favorite. 

    I feel like I've started a new chapter. Season two, if you will. I've settled a bit into LA. I have my lovely friends. I'm happy and that feels good. 

    Hope you all are great. Can't wait to show you all the good stuff I've been working on. Talk soon. 

    Love you so much, 

    Grace 

p.s. gonna start listing five songs I have been loving at the end of every blog cuz I think that would be fun. 

Been listening to: 

Goddess by Laufey ofc 

Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow 

Older by Lizzy McAlpine

Karma Police by Radiohead 

The First Taste by Fiona Apple