Grace Ives

Grace Ives was born on April 3, 1995, in New York City, the daughter of a cinematographer and a creative director in the music industry. Her early environment fostered an interest in music, which she pursued academically at the Maryland Institute College of Art before transferring to the State University of New York at Purchase. During her time at Purchase, where she majored in New Media, Ives began to develop her distinctive musical style in her dorm room. An influential moment in her early career was witnessing a house show by fellow Purchase alum, the singer-songwriter Mitski, which helped shape the direction of her sound. Ives also found inspiration in artists like British rapper M.I.A., leading her to incorporate equipment such as the Roland MC-505 Groovebox into her creative process, a tool she utilized significantly.

Ives’ career gained momentum with the release of her debut EP, “Really Hot,” in 2016. This was followed by her first full-length album, “2nd,” in 2019, which garnered attention for its unique lo-fi, synth-pop sound. “2nd” was created entirely with beats from her Roland MC-505. Her music has consistently received positive reviews from music publications, with Stereogum including her in their “Best New Bands of 2019” list. A significant milestone occurred in 2022 with the release of her second studio album, “Janky Star.” This album earned Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” rating and was also featured at number 14 on Pitchfork’s “The 50 Best Albums of 2022.”

In support of “Janky Star,” Ives performed her song “Lullaby” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in August 2022, marking a notable television appearance. She further expanded her reach by serving as the support act for Swedish singer Lykke Li on her North American tour for the album “Eyeye” (2022). Her discography also includes “Ringtones!! vol 1,” an album of ringtones released before her EPs and LPs. Ives’ work is characterized by critical acclaim for her left-field production style and honest songwriting, highlighted by collaborations with producers like Justin Raisen on her single “Loose.” Her consistent output and recognition within the indie music scene establish her as a prominent figure in electronic music.