Wikipedia

Gretta Ray

Gretta Louise Ray[1](born 22 May 1998) is an Australian singer-songwriter fromMelbourne,Victoria.In 2016, she was the winner of the nationalTriple J Unearthedradio competition for bands and songwriters, and the 2016Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition,with her song "Drive".[2]To date, Ray has released two studio albums –Begin to Look Around(2021) andPositive Spin(2023) – as well as the EPsElsewhere(2016) andHere and Now(2018).

Gretta Ray
Gretta Ray atSt Kilda Festivalin 2017
Background information
Birth nameGretta Louise Ray
Born(1998-05-22)22 May 1998(age 26)
OriginMelbourne,Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Years active2016–present
LabelsEMI Music Australia
Websitewww.grettaray.com

Originally making music reflective ofindie folkinfluences, Ray came to embracepop musicas her primary genre withBegin to Look Around.Her songwriting has been described by theSydney Morning Heraldas "conversational, unambiguous lyrics" that "[come] across simply and powerfully",[3]and by Australian music criticBernard Zuelas "quietly grand pop".[4]

Early life and education

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Gretta Ray grew up in Melbourne, Australia, attendingPrinces Hill Secondary College.She sang in choirs from the age of five, latterly singing and touring with Young Voices of Melbourne, and as the youngest member ofIf You See Her, Say Hello,a group of 21 Melbourne-based singer-songwriters.[5]

Career

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2016–2020: Career beginnings,ElsewhereandHere and Now

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Main article:Here and Now (EP)

In February 2016, Ray released her debut EP,Elsewhere.In August 2016, she won the national competition for emerging new artists calledTriple J Unearthed High,for her song "Drive",which was produced by Nashville-based Australian music producer Josh Barber with Jonathan Dreyfus, recorded by Nick Edin and Fraser Montgomerey and mixed by US producer Ryan Hewit.[6]The song received high-rotation airplay onTriple J.[7]The announcement was made by Triple J presentersMatt OkineandAlex Dyson,who snuck into a school concert while she was performing to surprise her.[8]Unearthed music director, Dave Ruby Howe called her a "...bold and exciting new talent who seems to win over everyone that comes into orbit of her music".[9]Ray also a nomination for aJ Awardfor Unearthed Artist of the Year at the2016 J Awards.[10]

On 27 October 2016, Ray won the 2016 edition of theVanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition,which carries the largest first prize for any songwriting competition in the world.[11]In August 2018, Ray released her second EP titledHere and Now.The following year, Ray released two stand-alone singles: a cover ofBon Iver's "re: Stacks" withDustin Tebbuttin September, and "Heal You in Time" in December.

2020–2023:Begin to Look Around

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Main article:Begin to Look Around

On 20 May 2021, Ray announced her debut albumBegin to Look Around,which was released on 27 August 2021.[12]The album debuted at number 13 on theARIA Charts.In April 2022, Ray announced theBegin To Look Around album tour,which occurred in June 2022.[13]Later in 2022, Ray joinedGang of Youthson their Australian arena tour in support of their albumAngel in Realtime,serving as both their opener and a backing vocalist. The shows also saw Ray duet with lead singerDavid Le'aupepeon "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows",which Ray had previously covered ontriple j'sLike a Versionsegment.[14]

2023–present:Positive Spin

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Main article:Positive Spin

On 3 May 2023, Ray released "Dear Seventeen", a song she described as a "focus track" intended to introduce fans to her upcoming release.

On 24 May 2023, Ray held an event in Melbourne's northern suburbs for fans on her officialDiscordserver. The event was a scavenger hunt that led fans to letters which spelled out the name of her sophomore album,Positive Spin,and culminated in its announcement. The album was released on 18 August 2023, and will be followed by a national tour titledThe Big Pop Showin September.[15]The album was preceded by the singles "Heartbreak Baby", which was later nominated for Song of the Year at theAPRA Awards,"Don't Date the Teenager" and "America Forever", which features vocal contributions from British singerMaisie Petersand American singerCarol Ades.

A deluxe version of the album, titledPositive Spin +,was released on 15 March 2024. It includes reworked versions of the songs "Upgraded" and "Heartbreak Baby", as well as the tracks "Roses" and "Better", a collaboration withJapanese Wallpaper.[16]

In 2024, shortly after moving toLondon,Ray was diagnosed withinfective endocarditis,forcing her to cancel all remaining tour dates for the year.[17][18][19]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[20]
Begin to Look Around 13
Positive Spin
  • Released: 18 August 2023[15]
  • Label: EMI Music Australia
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 17

Extended plays

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List of EPs, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title EP details Peak chart positions
AUS
[20]
Elsewhere
  • Released: 16 February 2016[24]
  • Label: Gretta Ray(independent)
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 —
Here and Now
  • Released: 10 August 2018[25]
  • Label: Gretta Ray(independent)
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 46

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Certifications Album
"Unexpected Feeling"[26] 2016 Elsewhere
"Drive"[27] Here and Now
"Unwind"[29] Non-album single
"Towers"[30] 2017 Here and Now
"Time"[31] 2018
"Radio Silence"[32]
"Re: Stacks"
(withDustin Tebbutt)[34] 		2019 Non-album singles
"Heal You in Time"[35]
"Better"
(withJapanese Wallpaper)[36] 		2020
"Passion"[37] Begin to Look Around
"Bigger Than Me" / "Readymade"[38] 2021
"Human" / "Passion"[12][39]
"Cherish" / "The Brink"[40]
"Love Me Right"[41]
"It's Almost Christmas in Philly"[42]
"Vienna"[43] 2022 Non-album singles
"Sweet Disposition"
(withBudjerahandNgaiire)[45]
"Dear Seventeen"[46] 2023 Positive Spin
"Heartbreak Baby"[15]
"America Forever"
(featuringMaisie PetersandCarol Ades)[47]
"Don't Date the Teenager"[48]
"Roses"[49] 2024 Positive Spin +
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List of singles, with year release and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Alone"
(Noah Earp featuring Gretta Ray)[50] 		2016 Disinheritor
"A Place That I Don't Know"
(Odettefeaturing Gretta Ray)[51] 		2018 To a Stranger
"Mid Sentence"
(Xavier Dunnfeaturing Gretta Ray)[52] 		2020 Non-album singles
"Tous mes copains"
(So Frenchy So Chic featuring Gretta Ray)[53] 		2022

Awards and nominations

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APRA Awards

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TheAPRA Awardsare held in Australia and New Zealand by theAustralasian Performing Right Associationto recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Ray has been nominated for one award.[54][55]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 "Radio Silence" Most Performed Alternate Work of the Year Nominated [54]
2024 "Heartbreak Baby" Song of the Year Shortlisted [56]

ARIA Music Awards

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TheARIA Music Awardsis an annual ceremony presented byAustralian Recording Industry Association(ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of themusic of Australia.They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Begin to Look Around Breakthrough Artist Nominated [57]

Australian Music Prize

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TheAustralian Music Prize(the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It exists to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence.[58]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Positive Spin Australian Music Prize Nominated [59]

J Awards

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TheJ Awardsare an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio stationTriple J.They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Gretta Ray Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated [60]
2021 Begin to Look Around Australian Album of the Year Nominated [61][62]
2023 Positive Spin Australian Album of the Year Nominated [63]

Music Victoria Awards

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TheMusic Victoria Awardsare an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 Gretta Ray Best Pop Work Won [64][65]

National Live Music Awards

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TheNational Live Music Awards(NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Herself Live Blues and Roots Act of the Year Nominated [66][67]

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

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TheVanda & Young Global Songwriting Competitionis an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money forNordoff-Robbins"and is coordinated byAlbert MusicandAPRA AMCOS.It commenced in 2009.[68]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 "Drive" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 1st [69]

References

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  1. ^"Gretta Ray Discography".Discogs.
  2. ^"Gretta Ray wins $50,000 Vanda & Young songwriting competition:" It's unbelievable! "".Triple J.27 October 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 28 October 2016.Retrieved26 May2021.
  3. ^Bailey, Michael (28 August 2018)."Gretta Ray review: Triple-threat is here to stay".Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved18 August2023.
  4. ^Zuel, Bernard (31 August 2021)."GRETTA RAY – BEGIN TO LOOK AROUND; CHVRCHES – SCREEN VIOLENCE: REVIEW".BernardZuel.net.
  5. ^"A Chat With...Gretta Ray".Mismatch.Retrieved21 August2016.
  6. ^"Gretta Ray - Drive".Gretta Ray.Retrieved25 March2017– viaYouTube.
  7. ^"Gretta Ray wins Unearthed High 2016!".Triple J Unearthed.Retrieved21 August2016.
  8. ^"Matt and Alex surprise Unearthed High winner Gretta Ray".Triple J.Retrieved21 August2016– viaYouTube.
  9. ^Jones, Ruby (18 August 2016)."Melbourne musician Gretta Ray wins triple j's Unearthed High".ABC News.
  10. ^"J Awards 2016: Nominations for 2016".Triple J.2 November 2016.Retrieved2 November2016.
  11. ^"Gretta Ray's" Drive "wins 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition!".APRA AMCOS.27 October 2016.
  12. ^abcLangford, Jackson (20 May 2021)."Gretta Ray announces debut album 'Begin to Look Around'".NME Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 20 May 2021.Retrieved21 May2021.
  13. ^"Gretta Ray Announces June National Tour Dates".Music Feeds.14 April 2022.Retrieved14 April2022.
  14. ^Newstead, Al (August 2022)."Spoiler Alert: what went down at Gang of Youths' first Perth show in three years".triple j.Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Retrieved18 August2023.
  15. ^abc"Gretta Ray announces new album and The Big Pop Show tour".triple j.25 May 2023.Retrieved21 May2024.
  16. ^"Gretta Ray Releases Deluxe Edition Of 'Positive Spin', Shares 'Roses'".Music Feeds. 14 March 2024.Retrieved20 August2024.
  17. ^"Gretta Ray Is Recovering From Health Ordeal: 'It's Been a Scary Time'".Billboard.16 July 2024.Retrieved20 August2024.
  18. ^"Gretta Ray cancels all upcoming shows whilst recovering from severe heart infection".The Line of Best Fit. 31 July 2024.Retrieved20 August2024.
  19. ^"Gretta Ray has cancelled her shows to recover from a rare heart disease. So what is endocarditis?".ABC.31 July 2024.Retrieved20 August2024.
  20. ^ab"Discography Gretta Ray".australian-charts.com.Retrieved25 August2023.
  21. ^"Begin to Look Around".JB Hi-Fi.27 August 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 20 May 2021.Retrieved21 May2021.
  22. ^Citations for the vinyl release ofBegin to Look Around:
  23. ^"Begin to Look Around by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.27 August 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 20 May 2021.Retrieved21 May2021.
  24. ^"Elsewhere – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.16 February 2016.Retrieved16 August2018.
  25. ^"Here and Now – EP by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.10 August 2018.Retrieved16 August2018.
  26. ^"My debut EP 'Elsewhere' is now available for online purchase WORLD WIDE, including my single 'Unexpected Feeling'".20 March 2016.Retrieved16 August2018– viaFacebook.
  27. ^"Drive – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.1 August 2016.Retrieved16 August2018.
  28. ^"Gretta Ray's post".Instagram.14 January 2025.Retrieved14 January2025.
  29. ^"Unwind – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.26 September 2016.Retrieved16 August2018.
  30. ^"Towers – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.15 March 2017.Retrieved16 August2018.
  31. ^"Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.23 April 2018.Retrieved16 August2018.
  32. ^"Gretta Ray unveils her new single" Radio Silence "".Ind Scene. 6 August 2018.Retrieved16 August2018.
  33. ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved7 July2021.
  34. ^"Re: Stacks (with Dustin Tebbutt) – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.6 September 2019.Retrieved22 December2019.
  35. ^"Heal You in Time – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.13 December 2019.Retrieved22 December2019.
  36. ^"Better – Single by Gretta Ray & Japanese Wallpaper on Apple Music".Apple Music.11 November 2020.Retrieved13 November2020.
  37. ^"Passion – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.4 December 2020.Retrieved5 December2020.
  38. ^"Bigger Than Me / Readymade – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.12 March 2021.Retrieved12 March2021.
  39. ^""Human" / "Passion" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music ".Apple Music.20 May 2021.Retrieved23 July2021.
  40. ^""Cherish" / "The Brink" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music ".Apple Music.23 July 2021.Retrieved23 July2021.
  41. '^"My debut albumBegin To Look Aroundis OUT NOW! As is my new single "Love Me Right", and my favourite music video we've done for this campaign ".Twitter. 27 August 2021.Retrieved27 August2021.
  42. ^""It's Almost Christmas in Philly" – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music ".Apple Music.26 November 2021.Retrieved8 June2022.
  43. ^"Vienna – Single by Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.6 May 2022.Retrieved28 June2022.
  44. ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.March 2024.Retrieved18 March2024.
  45. ^"Sweet Disposition – Single by Budjerah, Ngaiire and Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.23 September 2022.Retrieved30 September2022.
  46. ^"first baby of the new era is out in the big wide world. i am so proud of it!!!! i really hope u like it darlings 💛".Twitter.4 May 2023.Retrieved8 May2023.
  47. ^"Gretta Ray Releases New Single 'America Forever', Featuring Maisie Peters and Carol Ades".Music Feeds.4 July 2023.Retrieved5 July2023.
  48. ^"Gretta Ray's Sound Advice: 'Don't Date the Teenager'".Rolling Stone Australia.4 August 2023.Retrieved6 August2023.
  49. ^"Gretta Ray Shares A Love Letter To London With New Single 'Roses'".The Music.14 March 2024.Retrieved16 March2024.
  50. ^"Alone (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Noah Earp on Apple Music".Apple Music.28 October 2016.Retrieved28 March2022.
  51. ^"A Place That I Don't Know (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music".Apple Music.29 November 2018.Retrieved30 November2018.
  52. ^"Mid Sentence (feat. Gretta Ray) – Single by Odette on Apple Music".Apple Music.June 2020.Retrieved13 November2020.
  53. ^"Tous mes copains – Single by So Frenchy So Chic & Gretta Ray on Apple Music".Apple Music.20 May 2022.Retrieved28 June2022.
  54. ^ab"Tones and I leads nominations for 2020 virtual APRA Awards".Noise11.7 April 2020.Retrieved11 April2020.
  55. ^"2020 Awards".APRA AMCOS.7 April 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 9 April 2020.Retrieved11 April2020.
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  57. ^Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021)."ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge".The Music Network.Archivedfrom the original on 20 October 2021.Retrieved24 October2021.
  58. ^"About the AMP".Australian Music Prize.Retrieved24 January2023.
  59. ^Brandle, Lars (28 November 2023)."Troye Sivan Shortlisted for 2023 Australian Music Prize".Billboard.Retrieved29 November2023.
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  62. ^"Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.18 November 2021.Retrieved20 November2021.
  63. ^"Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.1 November 2023.Retrieved1 November2023.
  64. ^"G Flip, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ninajirachi Dominate Music Victoria Awards Nominations".The Music.2 September 2024.Retrieved2 September2024.
  65. ^"Music Victoria Awards 2024 Winners".Scenstr.24 October 2024.Retrieved26 October2024.
  66. ^"NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees".National Live Music Awards(NLMAs). 9 October 2017.Retrieved5 September2020.
  67. ^"Winners 2017".National Live Music Awards(NLMAs). December 2016.Retrieved5 September2020.
  68. ^"About the Vanda & Young Global Song Writing Competition".APRA AMCOS.Retrieved12 March2021.
  69. ^"Past Winners".APRA AMCOS.Retrieved13 March2021.
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