5 Reasons to Come See Grace Ives This Friday (9/9) at JB’s

This February Brooklyn-based alt pop star-on-the-rise Grace Ives played to a sold-out crowd in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection when she opened for Remi Wolf at...

This February Brooklyn-based alt pop star-on-the-rise Grace Ives played to a sold-out crowd in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection when she opened for Remi Wolf at Union Transfer.   Since then, she’s released her sophomore LP, Janky Star (the follow-up to 2019’s 2nd, which dropped 6/10 on True Panther/Harvest Records), and made her television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!  And this Thursday she kicks off her first-ever headlining tour at Elsewhere Zone One in Brooklyn, followed by a show this Friday, September 9th, at our very own Johnny Brenda’s.  The album has been getting rave reviews from basically all of the top music publications.  Pitchfork called Janky Star, “One of the best pop albums of the year,” while NYLON qualified it as, “This year’s most relatable pop record.”  Rolling Stone even said, “Anyone who just got hip to Kate Bush via Stranger Things should try this next, ASAP.”  If that isn’t enough of a reason to check out the singer/songwriter while her shows can still fit into the 250-capacity “mini rock n’ roll ballroom,” check out these five exceptionally noteworthy tracks off of the release.

 

  1. “Angel Of Business”

The music video for “Angel Of Business” sees Ives navigating NYC as a 21st Century Wendersian spirit, which seems more than fitting for a song about someone trying to establish themselves and maintain a semblance of faith in an industry that’s largely bullshit.

 

  1. “On The Ground”

This June Ives released a music video for this pop gem directed by Sara Magenheimer, a former teacher of the singer/songwriter, which celebrates both Magenheimer’s admiration for Ives as a musician and the golden age of MTV, with specific nods to Drella and Deee-Lite.

 

  1. “Shelly”

What I’m hoping to be Janky Star’s next single is an alt-rocky love song inspired by (I think) perhaps the loveliest character of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.

 

  1. “Lullaby”

For her recent television debut, Grace found herself performing this track in what appeared to be a comfortably lonely disco… which seems to match the energy of the single.  Arguably the album’s most uplifting track, Ives has characterized it as, “Living the same day over and over again.  This song is about the comfort and anxiety that comes with isolating yourself.  Homebody’s anthem.”

 

  1. “Loose”

“Oh what a loser sound // I let out when I hit the ground // I never squeal like that // I need some respite, please,” sings Ives in her first single since her debut album.  The song debuted Ives’ collaboration with Janky Star co-producer Justin Raisen, known for his work with artists like Charli XCX and Kim Gordon.  The track itself is as delectably danceable as the work of the former, while as charmingly irreverent as that of the latter.

*Get your tickets here.

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During the day Izzy Cihak teaches transgression, subversion, and revolution at Temple University. At night he haunts Philthy's best venues to cover worthwhile acts for Philthy Mag. Morrissey is everything to him and, in their own heads, all of his friends see themselves as Zooey Deschanel.

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