Gracie Abrams on how Paul Mescal is influencing her music | Today Show Australia

Tay, congratulations. I was just saying to my producer, I cannot stop listening to this album. I can't get the songs out of my head. I wish I was in my 20s again. You make me nostalgic for this time in my life and now I'm just sounding old. But what does this album mean to you and what does it say about where you're at in your life right now? Well, I mean, I think it really does feel like a time capsule sort of of the past year and change. And I love that it happened and I love that I got to experience the catharsis that I did in making it. I think that's been my lighthouse in songwriting since I was a kid is it has worked if I feel like in writing something, I've been able to kind of process it and let it work through my body. And in this instance, I really did get that. And I feel like there was, I couldn't have written it any sooner. I think there's like lots of perspectives about, I think about the title track when I say this, that I do think like at a younger age, I would not have been able to articulate the kind of admiration I have for my mom in this way, for example. And I definitely owed her that song. So I'm glad that it's gonna belong to everyone else soon. And hopefully, maybe someone will feel compelled to thank those who raised them. Yeah, I love that. Well, on that note, would you or your parents agree that you were the daughter from hell? I think I certainly was a lot of the time. Why? We made it through. I just, you know, I mean, I don't think I was necessarily a special case, but I think your adolescence is so complicated and turbulent. And I think like, you know, you kind of believe that the state of your relationship with your parents or with your siblings or, you know, your friends when you're a kid, like that's how it will always be. And I think I've been so blessed with patient people in my life who have continued to love me even when I've been brutal. And yeah, so we've got a very earned relationship now. And, you know, I think I've outgrown the term, but I definitely think I embodied it for a while. Oh, I love that though. The unconditional love, it's unmatched, isn't it? Truly, yeah. You had some incredible collaborators on this album. Aaron Dessner, Audrey Hobart, Marcus Mumford, Bon Iver. You wrote Imaginary Friends with Paul. When you're starting the writing process, particularly with other people, like how does that even begin? Well, I think, you know, like Audrey and I, for example, growing up, we weren't ever under the impression that we would kind of go on that ride together and write a bunch of songs. But I do think like, if you're lucky enough to really trust the people that you're surrounded by, it's not so daunting if you've got an idea for something in your head to just start playing it in the room. And I think it's like, in my case, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such smart people whose taste I admire so much and whose opinions I trust. And so, yeah, like everyone on that list that you just named, I adore. And it was a real, real joy to work with all of them. And I think, you know, Aaron and I have worked together now for six years. And so we've kind of got this real shorthand where it's like down to anyone he trusts, I would follow them blind. So, you know, all of the players, everyone who like played a weird synth or modular thing or a string, like there's a long list of artists who contributed to this album, who made it beautiful that I, yeah, couldn't be more grateful to for their time and expertise. It was really cool. You've said that being in a stable relationship, you were worried that being in a stable relationship would ruin your drive to write. I would feel like it could maybe change the inspiration a little bit, but clearly listening to this album, that hasn't happened. I think I was potentially mildly taken out of context when I said that. What I meant, what I meant was, what I meant was that because songwriting for me has always been this, it's been this, it's been what I've turned to when I have felt rattled or unsettled or insecure or unsafe. And I think when you are so rooted in something real, like for me, I was just like, oh, I wonder what I will write about. I think it's been this overflowing, gorgeous gift of the most unbelievable support I've ever had in my life. You know what I mean? Where it's like, it makes me wanna write a trillion times more. I was just like, oh, huh. I don't have the same typical questions that I have before that I've written a hundred songs about. It's like, what's it gonna be? But it's been really lovely because it opens up a lot more to explore and be curious about and interrogate. And I feel like I got to do a lot of that on this album. So yeah, 10 out of 10 review for stability and support. Oh, that's the most important thing in the world. And you know what, speaking on support, I loved the chat that you had with Olivia Rodrigo. And I think importantly, as a woman in this business, who's been in this business a long time, to see two gorgeous, young, incredibly talented females just loving on each other and supporting each other and building each other up, there's no competitiveness. And I think that's something that really needs to be celebrated and honored. And like, it's really cool because you see it with Taylor, with you as well, and with a lot of her friends in the industry. How important is that to you to have these women that I'm sure you admire as well, but also in your corner? Oh my God. I mean, I think women are everything. I think women are the whole point. I think it's like, truly that is what I believe. And so I feel extremely lucky to know that like within the industry, because I do think it's so, I think it probably feels like fun or funny to people, you know, on the internet sometimes to put two people against each other or to assume that there is some, you know, competitive spirit behind any of it. And like, I feel blessed beyond to have, you know, a little window inside to know that that just isn't how, it's just not how it is. It's like, you know, I don't even just think it's the times we're living in. Like, I believe that that narrative has always been spun around women for people to like stir ----. And I have never come across a single artist in this industry who has been anything other than really generous and kind. And like, we're all on our own paths. Like, that should be celebrated. You know what I mean? Like, none of us could write what the other person is writing and none of us should try to. And I think, you know, Olivia is just such a gorgeous example of some, you know, I think about her festival, Daisy Chain, that she just launched. Like, it's all about the support. It's all about the community. And, you know, Taylor has been nothing other than beyond generous to me, sharing her stage literally for 50 shows. Like, it's absurd and people don't have to, but there is like, it's real. So they do. And it's really lovely. And I feel, yeah, it's pretty, it's pretty cool. It's pretty cool. I agree with Olivia that Death Wish is perfect, like the perfect song. It is so beautiful. When someone like Olivia, sorry, darling. No, that's just so nice of you to say. It's so good. I've had it on repeat and I was so excited when I finally got to listen after hearing her say that. I was like, well, I need to hear this song. When someone like her says that to you. I think she's such a brilliant writer. So it's like anytime someone that you admire thinks you're doing something interesting, it's like such a compliment. Yeah, God, I mean, I'm so glad that it resonated with her. I think like, that's to me what I love about getting music out is just seeing why something lands with someone and who that person is. You get lots of insight into their own lives when you like hear what someone's favorite song is, I think, so it's nice. It's really sweet. You've announced these big, look at my life, you've announced the tour dates, but I do have a bone to pick with you. I don't see any Australian dates on that list. Just you wait, sister. Oh, there's something coming? When are you gonna let us know? She's looking over to her team. She's like, can I say something? I have to say that Australian crowds are like pretty deeply unforgettable, like insanely so, and every time we've been lucky enough to, no, yes, it's the best thing. It's like, it is, yeah. It's like, whenever the day comes that I get to be back in your home, I will be very excited, yeah. Well, you're welcome anytime. So announce those dates ASAP. Lastly, what can you tell us about this tour and what are you most excited about performing these songs from the album? Well, it's just a lot of fun when you have more music to work with. You kind of like have more freedom designing a show. There's like more places to go with it. I'm really proud of everyone who has gotten it to the place where we have it so far. We've been in rehearsals, we've been designing beautiful stage stuff. And it just feels like, for me, it feels like the final form of the album when you get to play it live. And we've, yeah, we've really just like written lots of these songs for a band. So to have everybody's genius on display, I selfishly get to watch the band and watch the crew do their thing and feel like just a tiny little like cog in the machine, really, that, you know, they just make it all run. So, and to obviously just like then to be with everyone and to see them absorb the music and they give it new life. So yeah, I cannot wait. It's crazy that it's already, yeah, it's creeping up, it's so weird. So close. Also loving the hair, what I would give to be able to rock that hair, girl. You could in two seconds. No. Yes, you have a face for anything. You have a face for TV. You know you could do it. If you have a face for TV, girl, no, you could. Is your hair quite thick? It, there's so much of it. Honestly, if I cut it short, it would just like go out. But I look at you and I'm like, oh, it looks so freeing. No, you really could. You really could. Now I'm seeing it. I'm like covering on the screen. I'm like imagining it. Trust me. I'm going to pull up a clip. I'll like do something to it with AI. Oh gosh, that was terrible advice. I ruined her entire career. Yeah, exactly. Well, I support it. I support it. Thanks, sis. Thank you so much. Hopefully we see you down under. Congratulations on the album. So, so happy for you. Thank you so much. You're amazing. Thanks for your time. Thanks, darling. Shout out everyone at your program. Bye, darling.