Grace Salazar Carreño, better known as Grace de Gier, is a Colombian indie pop and alternative rock singer and songwriter.[1] Born in Duitama and based in the Netherlands,[2][3] she released her first studio album in 2020, titled Mágico, and has since recorded a few singles and Extended Plays. In December 2022 she was recognized as the best pop rock singer of the year at the Mara International Awards.[4]
Grace de Gier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Grace Salazar Carreño |
| Born | Duitama, Colombia |
| Genres | Pop, rock, alternative |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, guitar |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels | See Music Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Rolf de Gier |
Biography edit
Early years edit
The daughter of Jorge Salazar and Luding Carreño, Grace was born in the municipality of Duitama, Boyacá and settled in the Netherlands in the late 2000s.[2][5] Inspired by rock and pop bands like The Killers, The Cranberries, The Cure, Roxette and Garbage, she decided to start a solo career framed in indie pop and alternative rock, while retaining some elements of traditional Colombian music.[2][6]
Career edit
After recording a few singles,[5] in September 2020 she released her first full-length album, entitled Mágico composed of ten songs.[1][2] Her single "Llévame", which featured a video clip recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, was recognized by the newspaper El País as one of the ten most outstanding songs for the year 2021.[7] After releasing the single and video clip of "Ansiedad",[8] in mid-2021 she released her first song in English, entitled "You Know", which managed to enter the charts in the Netherlands.[9]
In early 2022 she presented a three-song EP entitled "Tell Me",[10] and in November she toured the city of Bogotá.[5][11] "And Now", one of the songs included in the EP, reached the second position in a radio chart in England,[12] and the single "Dime" was included in the Dutch Top 40 Tipparade.[13] In December 2022 she was recognized at the Mara International Awards as the best pop rock singer of the year, in a ceremony held in the city of Medellín.[5]
Present day edit
In March 2023, she released the single "Your Name", which, according to Rolling Stone magazine, is a preview of a new EP to be released that same year.[1][14] Drummer Alejandro Duque, known for his work with bands like Aterciopelados and Bajo Tierra, participated in the recording of the song.[1][15]
Personal life edit
The singer is married to Rolf de Gier, has two children and currently resides in the city of Heerhugowaard.[16] Her siblings Andrés ("Tell Me"), ("And Now"), Ludyng ("Llévame") and Valentina ("And Now") have participated as actors in some of her videos.[16] She composed the song "Dame Tu Mano" as a dedication to her youngest son, who suffered from a severe case of hydrops fetalis and managed to recover from the disease.[10]
Style and influences edit
According to Rolling Stone, her music is inspired by the music of the 1990s, and "the legacy of The Cranberries, Alanis Morissette or PJ Harvey can be perceived". According to the magazine, her debut album Mágico "showed her close to pop, but her most recent songs reveal an artist closer to alternative rock",[1] and the artist herself has stated that bands like The Killers, The Cure, Garbage, The Cranberries and Roxette have been an important influence in her musical style, which has also incorporated elements of traditional Colombian music.[2]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Year | Title | Discography |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mágico | See Music |
Singles and EP edit
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Llévame" | |
| 2021 | "You Know" | |
| "Tell Me" | Extended Play | |
| 2022 | "Dime" | |
| 2023 | "Your Name" |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Event | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mara International Awards | Best pop rock singer of the year | Won |
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "'Your Name', un nuevo sencillo a cargo de Grace de Gier". Rolling Stone (in Spanish). 2023-03-31. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e "Grace de Gier, una bandera musical colombiana en los Países Bajos". El Espectador (in Spanish). 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "La cantautora de Duitama que hace música en Holanda". RCN Radio (in Spanish). 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Grace de Gier recibe premio a 'Mejor cantante pop rock del año' en Premios Mara Internacional". Colectivo Sonoro (in Spanish). 11 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ a b c d Parada, Juan (17 November 2022). "Edición Colombia: Mujeres en la música". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Rock con sabor a cocido boyacense: Grace de Gier triunfa con su música en los Países Bajos". Noticias Caracol (in Spanish). 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Diez canciones que retumban en este 2021". El País (in Spanish). 18 February 2021. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Grace de Gier le canta a la ansiedad". El Espectador (in Spanish). 2021-02-19. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "'Patinando alto' el Circo del Sol llega a Colombia y otras breves". El Nuevo Siglo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ a b Cuevas, Maritza. "Grace de Gier cautiva al público con su nuevo EP 'Tell me'". El Sol de Cuernavaca (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "La huella que dejó Grace de Gier en su paso por Bogotá". Rugidos Disidentes (in Spanish). 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ Milán, Lourdes (18 August 2022). "La artista colombiana radicada en Países Bajos, Grace de Gier, anuncia su nuevo lanzamiento". Montevideando (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Grace De Gier – Dime". Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "La colombo-neerlandesa Grace de Gier estrena sencillo: 'Your Name'". Autopista Rock (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Alejandro Duque, el baterista colombiano". El Colombiano (in Spanish). 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ a b "La historia de un milagro para una madre colombiana en Holanda". El Universal (in Spanish). 2021-05-16. Retrieved 2023-04-06.