Gretta Ray

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).

Gretta Ray
Gretta Ray at St Kilda Festival in 2017
Background information
Born (1998-05-22) 22 May 1998
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Years active2016–present
LabelsEMI Music Australia
Websitewww.grettaray.com

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
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
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

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", "Don't Date the Teenager" and "America Forever", the latter featuring vocal contributions from British singer Maisie Peters and American singer Carol Ades.

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[16]
Begin to Look Around 13
Positive Spin 17
[20]

Extended plays
List of EPs, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title EP details Peak chart positions
AUS
[16]
Elsewhere
  • Released: 16 February 2016[21]
  • Label: Gretta Ray (independent)
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 —
Here and Now
  • Released: 10 August 2018[22]
  • Label: Gretta Ray (independent)
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 46

As lead artist
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Certifications Album
"Unexpected Feeling"[23] 2016 Elsewhere
"Drive"[24] Here and Now
"Unwind"[25] Non-album single
"Towers"[26] 2017 Here and Now
"Time"[27] 2018
"Radio Silence"[28]
"Re: Stacks"
(with Dustin Tebbutt)[30]		 2019 Non-album singles
"Heal You in Time"[31]
"Better"
(with Japanese Wallpaper)[32]		 2020
"Passion"[33] Begin to Look Around
"Bigger Than Me"/"Readymade"[34] 2021
"Human"/"Passion"[12][35]
"Cherish"/"The Brink"[36]
"Love Me Right"[37]
"It's Almost Christmas in Philly"[38]
"Vienna"[39] 2022 Non-album single
"Sweet Disposition"
(with Budjerah and Ngaiire)[40]		 Non-album single
"Dear Seventeen"[41] 2023 Positive Spin
"Heartbreak Baby"[15]
"America Forever"
(featuring Maisie Peters and Carol Ades)[42]
"Don't Date the Teenager"[43]
List of singles, with year release and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Alone"
(Noah Earp featuring Gretta Ray)[44]		 2016 Disinheritor
"A Place That I Don't Know"
(Odette featuring Gretta Ray)[45]		 2018 To a Stranger
"Mid Sentence"
(Xavier Dunn featuring Gretta Ray)[46]		 2020 Non-album singles
"Tous mes copains"
(So Frenchy So Chic featuring Gretta Ray)[47]		 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.[48][49]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 "Radio Silence" Most Performed Alternate Work of the Year Nominated [48]

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021Begin to Look AroundBreakthrough ArtistNominated [50]

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Gretta Ray Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated [51]
2021 Begin to Look Around Australian Album of the Year Nominated [52][53]

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Herself Live Blues and Roots Act of the Year Nominated [54][55]

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.[56]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 "Drive" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 1st [57]

References
  1. "Gretta Ray Discography". Discogs.
  2. "Gretta Ray wins $50,000 Vanda & Young songwriting competition: "It's unbelievable!"". Triple J. 27 October 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. Bailey, Michael. "Gretta Ray review: Triple-threat is here to stay". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  4. Zuel, Bernard. "GRETTA RAY – BEGIN TO LOOK AROUND; CHVRCHES – SCREEN VIOLENCE: REVIEW". BernardZuel.net.
  5. "A Chat With...Gretta Ray". Mismatch. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  6. "Gretta Ray - Drive". Gretta Ray. Retrieved 25 March 2017 – via YouTube.
  7. "Gretta Ray wins Unearthed High 2016!". Triple J Unearthed. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  8. "Matt and Alex surprise Unearthed High winner Gretta Ray". Triple J. Retrieved 21 August 2016 – via YouTube.
  9. Jones, Ruby (18 August 2016). "Melbourne musician Gretta Ray wins triple j's Unearthed High". ABC News.
  10. "J Awards 2016: Nominations for 2016". Triple J. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  11. "Gretta Ray's "Drive" wins 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition!". APRA AMCOS. 27 October 2016.
  12. Langford, Jackson (20 May 2021). "Gretta Ray announces debut album 'Begin to Look Around'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  13. "Gretta Ray Announces June National Tour Dates". Music Feeds. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  14. Newstead, Al. "Spoiler Alert: what went down at Gang of Youths' first Perth show in three years". triple j. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  15. "Gretta Ray announces new album and The Big Pop Show tour". triple j. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  16. "Discography Gretta Ray". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  17. "Begin to Look Around". JB Hi-Fi. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  18. Citations for the vinyl release of Begin to Look Around:
  19. "Begin to Look Around by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  20. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  21. "Elsewhere – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  22. "Here and Now – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  23. "My debut EP 'Elsewhere' is now available for online purchase WORLD WIDE, including my single 'Unexpected Feeling'". 20 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2018 – via Facebook.
  24. "Drive – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  25. "Unwind – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  26. "Towers – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 March 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  27. "Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  28. "Gretta Ray unveils her new single "Radio Silence"". Ind Scene. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  29. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  30. "Re: Stacks (with Dustin Tebbutt) – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  31. "Heal You in Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  32. "Better – Single by Gretta Ray & Japanese Wallpaper on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  33. "Passion – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  34. "Bigger Than Me / Readymade – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  35. ""Human"/"Passion" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  36. ""Cherish"/"The Brink" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  37. "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. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  38. ""It's Almost Christmas in Philly" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  39. "Vienna – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  40. "Sweet Disposition – Single by Budjerah, Ngaiire and Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  41. "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. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  42. "Gretta Ray Releases New Single 'America Forever', Featuring Maisie Peters and Carol Ades". Music Feeds. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  43. "Gretta Ray's Sound Advice: 'Don't Date the Teenager'". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  44. "Alone (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Noah Earp on Apple Music". Apple Music. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  45. "A Place That I Don't Know (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music". Apple Music. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  46. "Mid Sentence (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music". Apple Music. June 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  47. "Tous mes copains – Single by So Frenchy So Chic & Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  48. "Tones and I leads nominations for 2020 virtual APRA Awards". Noise11. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  49. "2020 Awards". APRA AMCOS. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  50. Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  51. "J Awards: 2016". Triple J. 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  52. Kelly, Vivienne (1 November 2021). "Triple j reveals J Awards nominees". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  53. "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  54. "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  55. "Winners 2017". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  56. "About the Vanda & Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  57. "Past Winners". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
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