Back in March 2023, something happened that changed my life for the better. I booked tickets for a gig at O Meara in London to see an artist I hugely admire, Marie Naffah, who was supporting an artist I’d never listened to, called Henry Grace. Sadly, Marie had to pull out of the gig because of ill health but I went along anyway and to this day it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Henry put on an amazing set as he showcased his brilliant album ‘Alive in America’. His songwriting and stunning voice held centre stage that night and he’s remained a firm favourite of mine ever since. Not only is Henry an outstanding artist, he’s also an outstanding human being and later that year he curated an event in conjunction with Help Musicians at Lafayette in London in support of Music Minds Matter, a charity that helps those working in the music industry. He was joined on stage by Blaine Harrison, front man of Mystery Jets, and the wonderful artists Elles Bailey and Jamie Lawson also performed stand out sets.
Since that fateful night, I’ve seen Henry perform many times and he’s never disappointed. And so it was with a huge sense of excitement that I booked to see Henry launch his second album, ‘Things Are Moving All Around Me’, which was released on January 23rd.
First album, ‘Alive in America’ was written about his formative years living in California in his twenties and recorded in America. It was an album that Henry credits as saving his life as it gave him the light he needed at the end of a tunnel of mental health challenges. Henry’s second album was recorded almost entirely live at Middle Farm Studios in Devon and is co-produced with Mystery Jets’ Blaine Harrison.
It’s an album that marks a distinct evolution from a solitary troubadour to the frontman of a fully realised, powerful and close knit band. It’s an album which is clearly thought out and reflects the period of transition , loves lost and found, changing cities and landscapes and maybe most importantly a changing self. It’s an album that perfectly transitions the wide open spaces of Henry’s adopted California into the intimate nature of his native London.
From the clubs and bars of Los Angeles and San Francisco to headlining the 2024 Great Escape Festival and appearing on The Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury last year, the journey to this new album could possibly be navigated back to Grace and Blaine Harrison meeting at a songwriters retreat organised by Chris Difford of Squeeze fame in Somerset back in 2022. Blaine and Henry found common ground almost instantly and wrote their first song together before returning to London to work on other songs Henry had written and Henry recalls,
“It had wings from the start. Making records is meant to be difficult, and I’m not saying this was easy , but throughout the whole process, it felt like there was a force willing these songs into existence”.
Last Friday, at Bush Hall, Henry took to the stage with Blaine Harrison on keyboard and backing vocals, Tom Holder on bass, Toby Evangelou on drums, Soren Bryce on harmonies, and the incomparable Brian Love on lead guitar. It’s hard to capture in words the feeling of one these six musicians captured as Henry sang the new album in order.
Starting with the driving sound of ‘Rust’ into ‘Moving On’, and Henry’s open letter to the music industry ‘Say Something Mean’, and then his love letter to home, ‘This Is The Place’, ‘Things’ came next building from an acoustic opening to a panorama of sound.
Side two opener, ‘Medicine’ comes next before Henry’s tribute to his time in America ‘California Rain’. The War on Drugs inspired ‘Passing Through’ is next, before ‘Leaving Song’ and the haunting, ‘Days Like This’.
It was such a joy to hear the storytelling element of this album, the brilliant lyrics and the musical evolution in the order Henry released it. It also makes listening to the album a wonderful reminder of an incredible night. Henry finished with tracks from his first album including the brilliant ‘Tennessee Dust’, before finishing with a beautiful new track which turns up as a hidden track at the end of the vinyl version of the album.
This ‘Junkyard Junkie’ has found gold with this album and that comes across so well live and because the album was recorded largely live in the album too. I was thrilled that Henry agreed to a short interview and I hope you enjoy this insight into one of our most promising artists!
So Henry, last night you played to a packed Bush Hall in London and sang your new album from beginning to end. Bush Hall has played host to everyone from The Killers to The Sex Pistols, what did it mean to you to play such an iconic venue ?
Having spent the past seven years living in Shepherds Bush, with Bush Hall literally around the corner, it was a really special thing to release the album there.
It must have been hugely gratifying to sing the album in its entirety and in the track order of the record. It made me very nostalgic about what makes vinyl special, that journey from beginning to end. How did you pick the order of the tracks ? Is the storyline of an album important to you?
We definitely gave it a lot of thought. It was important to us to have songs like ‘This Is The Place’ and ‘Things’ on Side 1 although some of the tracks took their places quite organically. For example, because of the way we recorded ‘Days Like This’, around some room mics late one evening, it felt like a fitting way to end the record.
Last night was not only testament to what an exciting songwriter and artist you are, it was testament to the power of a tight band. You must have loved the opportunity to show that teamwork makes the dream work? Brian, Tom, Toby, Blaine and Soren were incredible last night!
I think I said it on stage, but if there’s anything I’m proud of in music, it’s the people I have around me. To play that show as a six was really special and I feel we did the album justice.
Back in March 2023, I came to see you play at Omeara. I had booked the gig because I wanted to see another of my favourite artists, Marie Naffah who was supporting you. Sadly Marie was ill and couldn’t play but I came along and discovered your wonderful music. Last night I chatted to Marie who had come along to the gig and we discussed the fateful full circle of then to now. It must be lovely to look out into the audience and see so much support?
I remember looking out during ‘Say Something Mean’ and everyone in the room was just smiling and singing. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received over the years and it felt like there was a lot of love in the room last night.
You closed last night’s set with a beautiful track that you introduced as the first song from album three. Are you already working on new material or is it an ongoing process?
With all the focus being on releasing this album, last year was actually the first year since I started playing music that I didn’t write a song so I’m looking forward to writing and just playing guitar again and seeing what I’m drawn to creatively.
Back in October 2023, you curated ‘Songs Through The Darkness’ at Lafayette in aid of Music Minds Matter, a charity which looks after the mental well-being of anyone in the music industry. It was an incredible evening and you were joined by Elles Bailey and Jamie Lawson. How nice is it to see Elles breaking through onto the BBC Radio 2 playlist and into the charts with her single ‘Growing Roots’ and see her new album’ Can’t Take My Story Away’ doing so well?
Elles is the hardest working artist I know. She’s also been a massive champion of mine and I’m very grateful for all her support. Blaine and I co-wrote one of the songs on her new album too so it’s been extra special to see her do so well.
At that event you were joined on stage by Blaine Harrison, known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of indie rock bank Mystery Jets. How important has it been to have Blaine on board for this second album. He seems to be a very important part of the team now?
I’m incredibly indebted to Blaine. This album would not exist without him and making it together has been one of the great joys of my life.
Finally, what are your touring plans for this year? Having played Glastonbury last year could we hope to see you play any festivals this year?
I’m supporting Dylan LeBlanc this week on his UK tour and then Brian and I head to Switzerland towards the end of February for some shows out there. Beyond that, time will tell.
Find out more about Henry Grace and his music online on his official website.
