Interview by Brooke Gibbs.

Futuremag Music Editor Brooke Gibbs, sat down with Sydney-based, bedroom-pop phenomenon grentperez to talk about his latest release, creative visions, and what fans can expect from his upcoming sold-out US headline tour

FMM: You’ve just released Us Without Me and It’s already received over 530,000 streams, which is a great response! What sort of reactions have you been receiving from it so far?

Grentperez: The reactions to Us Without Me have been overwhelmingly positive, some already labelling it as their personal favourite song so far and to me that is insane. 

FMM: This is an incredibly sad song. Can you walk me through what inspired Us Without Me?

Grentperez: I'd say, as mature as it is to overcome your heartaches, it's also so human to succumb to them. This song takes on the story of wallowing in the hurt coming from a life that used to be. 

Us Without Me is heavily inspired by the notions of heartbreak. I recall listening to other people's stories of breaking up and how it must feel to watch their previous partner fall in love with someone else. It doesn't follow any direct path of personal experience within myself. I'd say song's like Diary by Bread, New Kid In Town by The Eagles and Dijon's Rodeo Clown played a role in inspiration to story telling aspects of Us Without Me.

FMM: I love the simplicity of the delicate guitar chords that come with the sad lyrics. It’s also a bit of a change of tempo from your usual work. How did the process come about for this new tempo?

Grentperez: The song grew out from a sad time late 2022, when things were a bit rough and I had to leave out for the Europe for a bit. During that time, I didn't really feel like leaving home, so I guess my headspace was semi-clouded with more downbeat emotions [laughs]. Worked out in my favour in the end. 

FMM: This release also comes with an accompanying music video. Most of the video looks like it was shot on selfie-mode, in different locations, with different friends involved. Can you tell me more about the inspiration behind this creative direction?

Grentperez: I knew that the song was going to already be incredibly sad, so I didn't want to follow up with a typical sad music video; I thought that would be too obvious. So I had the urge to call for something a little bit more humorous, and my girlfriend actually came up with the concept of me losing my hat to the wind, and to have me desperately try to find it.

FMM: I love the symbolism of the red hat that gets passed around throughout the music video. Can you shed more light into what this symbolises and what you hope viewers take away from this?

Grentperez: I'd like to say, in a way, it's a direct meaning to the plot of the song, to watch something that you love slowly fall further and further away from you, into the grasp of another. 

FMM: You’ve just finished up the Wine Machine tour in Canberra and Yarra Valley! How was that?

Grentperez: Really, REALLY great! Awesome to be back playing live shows in 2023 kicking things off in Australia with a three-piece festival. Lively audience as per usual.

FMM: Your upcoming US headline show is sold out! That’s incredible! Did you ever anticipate such a response to this tour?

Grentperez: I was nervous to say the least, to have postponed it on such late notice last year, I thought I'd be a goner. But luckily, my community is the best and they chose to stick by me. 

FMM: How did you get from creating music in your bedroom to selling out headline shows?

Grentperez: Honestly, it's come to a surprise to me. It all really started on YouTube, slowly building up my identity as a content creator as well as a musician. I couldn't have done it without those who watched me in the early stages. I'd like to say they got hooked onto my voice as well as my personality and that's what pushed me onto the stage, but who knows? [laughs].

FMM: What are you most looking forward to about your headline shows, and what can fans expect?

Grentperez: I'm looking forward to winning the "cool" title from the audience. It's only rightfully so with the tour name 'I'm cool I promise'. They can expect a lot of energy and hopefully some laughs. 

FMM: You have a huge year coming up! Do you ever have time to slow down, or do you feel like you are always on the go?

Grentperez: For this year and maybe the next coming up, I feel I'm ready to go. I really want to get myself out there, and prove to the world what I have to offer. I do always have to make sure to cool it and slow down however. 

FMM: What are your plans for after the tour?

Grentperez: Buy a new car, work on that car, give mum and dad a kiss on the cheek, make sure my friends, family, girlfriend know I love them, and uhh yeah, I think that sounds about right... hopefully go go-karting. 

FMM: Anything else you would like to add?

Grentperez: New music is right around the corner, as well as quite a few tours so please, please, please stay in tuned, wouldn't want you all to miss out.