After a busy summer filled with sold out performance dates, fashion magazine shoots, and filming ABC Family’s Switched At Birth, Los Angeles-based indie-pop songwriter and budding music celebrity Fiona Grey is gearing up for the release of her newest single, What You Want, which will be included on her upcoming EP currently scheduled for release this Fall. The single What You Want, glistens with heartfelt lyrics driven by electronic beats that demands to be heard loud and clear. Filled with edgy melodies and introspective lyrics, What You Want is Fiona’s most personal composition to date.
“Writing and recording this track was like bringing a diary entry to life,” says the 20-year-old songstress. “I was feeling all sorts of emotions about this guy and thinking about all the things I’ll never say to him but wish I could. Songwriting has been a huge emotional outlet for me, and I think the things I was feeling at the time really came through while we were recording in the studio.” What You Want takes listeners on a journey filled with young romantic love and infatuation but if not careful will swallow you up in a whirl wind of adolescent passion. (Images by Chase R. McCurdy)
Beverly Hills Magazine: How did you get started in the industry?
Fiona Grey: My Dad is a musician and my mother is an actress, so I was born into it. I co-wrote my first professional song with my Dad at 6 years old and to this day I still receive residuals from it. It was always so fun for me, and that’s why I still like to bring the “play” element into my music. I think that’s the magic combination of being in a serious industry but keeping the light hearted fun.
Hills Magazine: What is the most challenging part of your career?
Fiona Grey: Being an independent artist definitely has its challenges because I’m my own manager and I’m in charge of building my career. There’s also great freedom in that one day I am focused on creating new songs and enjoying that aspect, then the next I’m sending emails and signing contracts. So doing it all can be challenging.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What do you love most about what you do?
Fiona Grey: That I can go on stage, and I can sing a song that I wrote. I create my own show outfits too so I can look at my band in outfits that I embellished. It’s so personal plus to have people sing along to it. It’s an amazing feeling! That’s the most simplistic lovely element that makes me want to wake up early the next morning and work my ass off. Every artist aspires to be able to share their art, in the simplest way.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What are some trends taking place in the “Music World”?
Fiona Grey: There’s a greater sense of fearlessness amongst artists today, which is awesome. People are embracing who they really are and they let that shine through in their work. There’s also so much access to mass audiences today that the opportunity to build your career and brand is limitless. If people are not afraid to be their genuine self and be comfortable with their story, then the raw talent they have can emerge creating an amazing diversity among musicians. It’s a really beautiful thing to have so many people sharing their art in different ways.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What do you think makes an artist successful?
Fiona Grey: I think being a genuinely good person and having a strong work ethic goes away. It’s not about having the best voice or being the prettiest person. It’s about being genuine to yourself and creating something that you’re passionate about. There really are no winners or losers in the business. Any artist can be successful if they are willing to work hard for it.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Why is music an important part of life?
Fiona Grey: Because it makes us feel things…It relates to our emotions, it pushes our emotions and it understands us, nothing else in the world.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What is one thing you really want to share?
Fiona Grey: I just want to thank all the fans who have been buying and sharing my music and coming to the shows. I just want them all to know how much they all inspire me to keep doing what I do. Thank you all!!!
You can see Fiona Grey at an upcoming Live Performance at
Dirty Laundry Los Angeles with Room 8, on Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 PM
What You Want is, at its heart, an airing of grievances aimed at would-be romantic interests too indecisive, too preoccupied or simply too intimidated to commit to. “Hold me a little bit closer,” belts Fiona in her signature dusky timbre. “Show me you’re a little bit stronger or you’re never gonna get what you want.”
The song’s mood of restless defiance spills over into its video, where shots flicker through Los Angeles, from dimly-lit bedrooms to luxe high-rise concerts to the city streets themselves, turning What You Want into a literal windows-down sing-along.
“The 19 year old singer brings Hollywood glamour to a sultry story of love, drugs, and vanity”
– Galore Magazine
“Fiona Grey: not just another diva. In fact, a pretty excellent fresh-sounding
ladysinger, with an extremely excellent first name.”
– Jam of the Day
“A heartfelt lowrider that woos its way into your teen dream heart like
a rebellious cross between Lorde and Christina Aguilera.”
– Neon Gold Records
