Rose Gray is an up and coming soul/pop/R&B artist from East London who sources her inspiration from the greats.

Her sound is unfiltered. There’s no subject that’s off the cards with this artist because she’s here to talk about what matters most to her. In her debut single ‘good life’, Rose discusses the trials and tribulations of modern life, whether this be problems in love, working tirelessly to fund your passion, or mental health issues such as depression. She talks about the world around her in raw truth - and this is all in just her first song.

Just at the start of her career, Rose Gray let us get to know her as she talked about her inspirations that flow through her music including Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and more. She also invited us into the behind the scenes of her creative process, as well as what it’s like to teach music to young children.

Find out everything you need to know about the rising artist right here:

1) For those who don’t know about you and your music, tell us a little bit about who you are and where you’re from…

Hey, I’m Rosefrom East London, Walthamstow. I grew up here and still live close to home. I come from a big arty family of working actors and art makers of some kind. I think it may have been in my blood to do something creative but who knows. So yeah I’m a singer and writer. I make visuals for my songs and write poetry.

2) Describe your sound in three words…

Poetic, expressive, soulful.

3) Who inspired you to start a career in music?

I think my Pops had the greatest influence on me, he would play me such electric music as a kid. I grew up listening to all kinds of stuff, from Radiohead to Prince, Aretha Franklinto Portishead, soul, jazz, indie, trip-hop… my young ears listened to a lot of great music without even realising the greatness.

4) Who are your biggest musical influences?

Beth Gibbons (lead singer of Portishead) Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Lily Allen, Carole King, Lana Del Rey, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell to name a few. They are all incredible vocalists/musicians but they are also POETS.

Also, the Beatles and Dr Dre right now. I’m obsessed with the mix of using classical strings over a hip hop beat.

5) Tell us about the writing and recording process for your new single/album…

I write a lot of stuff in poetic form, notes on my phone usually, and then I bring them into the studio. I write mostly on my own, I rarely start with a melody that is usually found in the room. I’ve been working mostly with a producer called Frank Colucci over the last 6 months, him and I have spent many days just exploring sounds and building a body of work from scratch or rough ideas in his home in Bow. He’s a genius and brings the music and I write the lyrics and melody. It's a really intense process and very close to home, all my music is about me or my loved ones. A lot of love has gone into making my first body of work… out soon.

6) What can we expect from your live shows?

I want people to really feel it and maybe have a lil dance too.

7) What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

I’ve taught singing classes to kids since I was 16, and the students have all been waiting for me to release music for so long. After releasing ‘good life’ they all ran into class and sung it back to me and asked if we could perform it. It was so cute. Also hearing my song on the radio for the first time was a lovely feeling.

8) Have you met anyone and been totally starstruck?

Mick Jagger walked past me once and I felt quite shook.

9) What’s on your iPod/playlists that people wouldn’t expect?

90’s rave stuff, I actually have a playlist called that lol.

10) When can we see you live?

You can see me: 28th March @ Mirth, Marvel and Maud, in Walthamstow. Buy tickets here.

Recently releasing the single 'Blue' from her upcoming debut EP 'Blue, Lately', Grace spoke on the track, explaining: "I feel like as we grow up, we get more and more broken, so I wanted to put out a song about that. I’m really proud of this song as it’s a true insight into my world… growing up and all the in-between stuff. I feel connected to everything I write but ‘Blue’ has an extra special place for me right now.

"It’s the first track on my debut EP and is really close to my heart."

Check out Rose's latest single 'Blue' below: