Living out Loud: Greyson Chance talks New Album 'Trophies'
There are two types of artists: the ones who are inauthentic and the ones who choose to live out loud. Greyson Chance is the kind of artist who chooses to share his authentic self with the world, inspiring countless fans all over the planet. When a video of his cover of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi went viral over a decade ago, his life changed forever.
Photo credit: Broderick Baumann (@broderickbaumann)
Despite the fame that was to follow, Greyson Chance had humble beginnings in the MidWest. Born in Oklahoma City, OK, the young star had a normal suburban childhood and his musical talents were cultivated early on.
“I started playing piano around six or seven years old. The way the hammer hit the chords was so interesting to me. I asked my parents if I could play and that was that!”
But for Greyson it was singing that was always his first love.
“Singing was a leisurely and fun activity where piano was more serious. While I do remember not playing piano my whole life,” he shares, “there isn’t a time that I don’t remember not singing.”
Photo credit: Broderick Baumann (@broderickbaumann)
A natural talent, Greyson didn’t consider himself “an artist” —per se. “I never really had the dream of being an artist, to be honest,” he muses. “It seemed too lofty for me.” Yet Greyson continued to develop his musical gifts and got very involved with piano lessons, singing in church, as well as performing for parents and their friends.
“My piano teacher was appalled by the rendition of Paparazzi and told me it was beneath me. She advised me not to do it.” Thankfully Greyson didn’t take that advice and his career immediately took off.
“At the time social media was still a unique thing,” Greyson recalls. “It was total chaos in the beginning. Within three weeks I was signed to a major record label and flying all over the country. Looking back it was an amazing journey and one that I am so grateful for my resilience as a 12-year-old going through it all. And I am also grateful to my parents for supporting me.”
Greyson soon found himself in the studio with top record producers and writers
“As a kid I didn’t write my music. For me as a writer it’s the best thing so since about 14 or 15 I spent a lot of years in the studio working on the craft.” As he honed his skills Greyson began to write all his own music. “I started to think of what I wanted to listen to. Amy Winehouse, Joni Mitchell, Brenda Carlisle. Singers who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Of course there’s always gonna be someone cooler but no one can be me.”
Photo credit: Broderick Baumann (@broderickbaumann)
Not everything was smooth sailing, however. A few years into his record deal Greyson faced an unexpected turn of events.
“A lot of people didn’t realize I was dropped by my record label at 15,” he shares. “It was a tough moment but I kept my head up and kept on going and eventually Arista records signed me.”
The next few years Greyson experienced a very successful career touring all over the world connecting with a diverse following. “Kids have been coming to my shows since they were 12 or 13 which is when I started so it feels like we grew up together. Moms are actually some of my biggest fans,” Greyson laughs. “They dig my music!”
Another significant demographic of Greyson’s fans areLGBTQ+. The singer made headlines in 2017 when he publicly announced his sexuality. His choice to do so was motivated by honest intentions. In an Instagram post of a rainbow flag Greyson wrote a letter to his followers:
“I encourage anyone who is navigating their sexuality to devote as much time as they need to the process of finding self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love. Hell, for me, it took years to write this message. Nevertheless, I figured now is the time to let a few more friends know that I am happy, I am here for you, and I am proud of who I am.”
Greyson’s authentic gesture resonated with queer and cisgender fans alike. But he didn’t only do it for them.
“I came out for two reasons. The first was because I wanted to be more comfortable in my own skin. I had told my family two years prior so it really wasn’t about anything more than thinking about how I was a kid resonating with queer culture. The second was because I wanted to inspire people to lead with their own voice, their own narrative.”
Greyson says he felt the pressure to come out and identified with queer youth who were also under pressure. “Kids where I’m from aren’t given this opportunity. They’re worried about safety, especially if they’re involved in church. One of the things I wanted to come home with was that your story is individualistic. I am happy my shows can be a safe space.”
On the stage is where he feels most at home.
“I love performing and was getting ready for my January 2020 European Tour rehearsals when everything with the pandemic went down,” Greyson explains. “It’s so monumental to be back on stage. We want all of our fans to know our shows will be safe and we are working on the ground with venues to create spacing scientifically following the venues and State’s leads.”
Just as masterful in the studio as performing live, Greyson has a new album dropped this past Friday June 25th. Trophies is an exploration into the artist’s vulnerable side exploring his personal life.
“This upcoming record was my most difficult and took a while to write,” Greyson elaborates. “I used the time during quarantine to write even when I wasn’t feeling my best. I forced myself to look in the mirror. I thought I would feel secure as an artist and I didn’t. So I started writing about feeling lost and isolated in your own world. I wrote about falling in love again. And about what was going on in my life breaking down the walls and being vulnerable. I’m really excited about this record.”
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Kimber London is a professional writer and model on a mission to inject creativity and passion into the world. Published with a degree in Creative Writing and over ten years experience Kimber is your go-to for content that engages and excites. Connect with them on Instagram today!