Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your music.
Hey I’m Chris Grey and I’m a singer/songwriter/producer from Toronto! I mainly make pop/r&b music while blending in influences from hip hop and rock. My songs are usually pretty intense and introspective.
Tell us about your musical influences and what inspired you to get into music.
My musical influences have changed a lot over time, and I think my sound is kind of a combination of that. As a kid I was obsessed with Ozzy Osbourne (not sure why my mom let me listen to that), Queen and Michael Jackson. Then as I got a little older, I was super into heavy dubstep, Skrillex and EDM in general. It was when I found The Weeknd that my influences shifted again and that’s where I’m at now. I’d say my current influences are The Weeknd, Chase Atlantic, Banks & Travis Scott
You recently released your new single for “I should be happy”. What can you tell us about the song?
I wrote the song at a time where on paper everything in my life was going well yet it really didn’t feel that way. I would lie in bed at night and just think “why am I not happy?” I think this song is in some ways even more relevant now as life returns to normal, which, as much as we’ve all been looking forward to, can also come with a lot of anxiety. I really wanted the song to have a slow build and then go all out on the last chorus. It kind of represents how I was feeling as I slowly realized how I felt.
Describe the track in two words.
Introspective, Powerful
You are not only a recording artist, but also a producer. Can you tell us about how you got started and about some of the artists you have produced?
I actually started first as a producer and then eventually started singing my own songs. I’ve produced for some bigger artists like 88Glam, but I’ve also been working really closely with some indie artists such as Allegra Jordyn and Mikalyn. I really enjoy working with both because with indie artists I get to be very closely involved, and with bigger artists I get to see all the fans reacting to the songs…which is the coolest feeling.
Do you approach producing your own music differently than when you produce other artists?
I approach every artist I work with differently, including myself. I find my workflow will change a lot depending on who I’m working with. With myself I always start with the beat and make a full track before I start writing. Then I’ll come up with lyrics and record as I go. I rarely write lyrics down. With other artists it’s a completely different process, they’ll often bring me a demo with piano or guitar, and I’ll produce a song from that.
You also recently released a music video for “I should be happy”, which you also wrote and directed. Can you please tell us about the video?
I had the idea for the video back in January and I had been trying to pull it off since then. Despite being a one camera/one shot video, it took a long time to get everything coordinated and I was close to scrapping the idea a few times. The video has 8 scene changes in 2.5 minutes. I wanted to show myself with different celebratory situations happening around me but I’m just numb to everything and showing no emotion.
What else can we expect from you in 2021? Any plans to release an EP or Album in the near future?
I have a couple more singles planned for the rest of the year and an EP coming very early next year. You can also expect a lot more music videos to come with that. I have some very cool ideas in the works right now.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
i see myself as a touring artist hopefully while also producing projects for various artists. I find doing both really keep me inspired and creative.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Trust your instincts
