Q&A: EleanorGrace Brings 1960s Folk Music Back in “Honey Darlin’”
HONEY DARLIN’ — are we back to the ’60s yet? EleanorGrace brings folk music back, in the same fashion that Ethel Cain revives grunge rock. The self-described “Iowan quasi-country” artist got her stage name when she released her first single at the age of 15 under the record label Station 1.
EleanorGrace’s voice can be described as honey, which is what brings her latest single, “Honey Darlin,’” to life, not allowing for a single second of boredom.
Switching from indie to country, the artist took a chance to tell her grandparents’ love story, which involved a trip to Daytona, mentioned in the song.
A current Berklee College of Music student, EleanorGrace is up to the challenge of becoming country’s next big star!
Read our interview with the singer-songwriter below.
LUNA: Since when have you been known as EleanorGrace?
ELEANORGRACE: EleanorGrace has been my performance name since I was 14 years old. I started out writing songs in my room before getting an offer from a record label called Station 1. I started recording songs and released my first single, "Lighthouse,” when I was 15.
LUNA: How has your music changed within the past few years?
ELEANORGRACE: The biggest change in my music has been with the genre. I started as an indie-pop artist but decided to make a country record during a gap year I took after graduating high school.
LUNA: Who inspired your music? Who are your biggest influences?
ELEANORGRACE: I have too many influences to count, I think. They're always changing. When I was writing "Honey Darlin'," I was listening to a lot of Jason Isbell, Bella White, Lucinda Williams, and Zach Bryan.
LUNA: Could you introduce your favorite singles you've released so far?
ELEANORGRACE: That feels like trying to pick a favorite child (laughs). I'll always have a special love for "Lighthouse," though, because it was the first song I recorded and my first release. I have so many good memories tied to that experience.
LUNA: How did you make the transition from indie pop starlet to country’s latest sweetheart?
ELEANORGRACE: Turning into a country artist was kind of an accident, but the genre ended up fitting the songs I was writing really well. My producer for my last record, Bryan, mentioned that the songs I was bringing in would make good country songs. I leaned into it, and here we are! I'll definitely experiment with other genres in the future — I've always had a hard time sticking to one thing.
LUNA: What inspired “Honey Darlin’,” and how did it come to life?
ELEANORGRACE: The story of my great-grandparents, Francis and Darvin, inspired this song. I learned about their love story for the first time last November and was immediately captivated. They didn't have much money but would pack up and leave for spontaneous family vacations to Daytona. Their love was simple but strong, and their sense of adventure really moved me.
LUNA: Who produces your tracks? How do you choose which producers to work with? Do you have some dream producers you'd like to work with?
ELEANORGRACE: Bryan Vanderpool of Golden Bear Records has been my producer for my last couple of projects. He's an absolute wizard when it comes to making songs. Our friend Blake Van Houten helped out as well.
LUNA: Is music your main occupation at the moment? If not, how are you conciliating your day job with your music career?
ELEANORGRACE: I'm also a student at Berklee [College] of Music. I'm getting a degree in music business, so a lot of my life revolves around the industry, even when I'm not busy with my own projects.
LUNA: Have you ever been on tour? If not, would you like to embark on one? Tell us about it.
ELEANORGRACE: I have not been on tour! That's my biggest dream right now, though.
LUNA: Who's your dream feature?
ELEANORGRACE: I would love to do a song with Kings of Leon or Caamp! Both are such talented bands.
LUNA: Where do you see yourself in one year as a musician
ELEANORGRACE: It's hard to know, which is kind of the fun, right? I hope I'm touring and working on my next record.
