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Grace Petrie

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Grace Petrie
Petrie performing at QED 2016.
Petrie performing at QED 2016.
Background information
Born1987 (age 36–37)
OriginLeicester, England
GenresFolk
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2006–present
Websitegracepetrie.com
Grace Petrie's voice
Recorded October 2016

Grace Petrie (/ˈpitri/, born 24 July 1987) is an English folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leicester, England. She was hailed in The Guardian as "a powerful new songwriting voice" in 2011.[1]

Biography

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Grace Petrie began performing in 2006 as a solo vocalist and acoustic guitarist, and self-released an eponymous album that year, followed in 2007 by second album Feeling Better. In 2010, the advent of the Conservative-led coalition government following the (UK) general election influenced Petrie, who is a socialist, feminist, and lesbian,[2] towards an increasing emphasis on politically focused songwriting, from a left-wing perspective. She made her debut appearance on Glastonbury's Leftfield stage at the invitation of Billy Bragg in summer 2010, and widely praised third album Tell Me A Story followed, including signature song "Farewell to Welfare".[3][4][5]

In 2011, Petrie toured with comedian Josie Long. Fourth album Mark My Words followed, including the song "Emily Davison Blues"[6] – a comment on media reaction to the 2011 riots. A special film directed by Chris Shepherd for the song "Rise" from the same album was screened on Channel 4 as part of the TV series Random Acts.[7] In 2012, Petrie took part in the "Anti-Capitalist Roadshow"[8] alongside Roy Bailey, Robb Johnson, Leon Rosselson, Peggy Seeger and others. She has also performed gigs with other political folk artists such as Chris T-T, David Rovics and Dick Gaughan, as well as political indie/punk rock bands like Thee Faction and Colour Me Wednesday.

Petrie at the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival in 2021

In 2013, Petrie released her fifth album Love is My Rebellion with new backing band The Benefits Culture, consisting of Jess Greengrass (percussion) and Caitlin Field (bass).[9]

Petrie has made an annual appearance at Glastonbury since 2010[10] as well as regularly playing festivals such as Towersey, Greenbelt Festival, Latitude and others. She has toured nationally with Emmy the Great, Billy Bragg and comedian Robin Ince, and has made several appearances on BBC Radio 4's The Now Show. In 2014, a live concert recorded at St. Pancras Old Church was released on CD and DVD.

She released the album Whatever's Left in 2015, followed by Heart First Aid Kit in 2017 and Queer as Folk in 2018.[11][12][13]

In 2016, Petrie along with numerous other celebrities, toured the UK to support Jeremy Corbyn's bid to become Prime Minister.[14]

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, Petrie played a live gig at Leicester Cathedral that was streamed on YouTube.[15]

Petrie's sixth studio album, Connectivity, was released in autumn 2021, and saw the singer break the UK Top 40 for the first time, reaching Number 37 in the Official Albums Chart, number two in the independent albums chart and number one in the downloads chart.[16][17]

On 8 March 2024, Petrie released her seventh studio album, Build Something Better, produced by Frank Turner.[18] The album reached Number 28 in the Official UK Albums Chart, her highest chart placing to date.[17]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Grace Petrie (2006)
  • Feel Better (2007)
  • Tell Me a Story (2010)
  • Mark My Words (2011)
  • Love Is My Rebellion (2013)
  • Whatever's Left (2015)
  • Heart First Aid Kit (2017)
  • Queer as Folk (2018)
  • Connectivity (2021) – UK Albums Chart number 37[19]
  • Build Something Better (2024) – UK Albums Chart number 28[19]

Live albums

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  • Live at St. Pancras Old Church (2014)

EPs

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  • There's No Such Thing as a Protest Singer (2016)

References

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  1. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (10 November 2011). "Protest music: steel in the hour of chaos". Theguardian.com.
  2. ^ "Grace Petrie – 'I'm a socialist, feminist, lesbian, protest singer'". Galway Advertiser. 2 October 2018.
  3. ^ "The Monograph | Album Review | Grace Petrie – Tell Me a Story". Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Grace Petrie, Tell Me a Story – Peace News". peacenews.info.
  5. ^ "Tell Me A Story – Grace Petrie". Socialist Worker (Britain). 14 December 2010.
  6. ^ "Grace Petrie: Singing for change". Redpepper.org.uk.
  7. ^ "CHANNEL 4 TOMORROW NIGHT!". Gracepetrie.com. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  8. ^ Denselow, Robin (29 November 2012). "The Anti-Capitalist Roadshow: Celebrating Subversion – review". Theguardian.com.
  9. ^ Sinclair, Ian (18 November 2013). "Music: Grace Petrie & The Benefits Culture". Morning Star. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Music: Grace Petrie has a laugh doing 'best job in world' | Leicester Mercury". Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  11. ^ Cholst, Rachel (28 August 2015). "Grace Petrie – Whatever's Left". No Depression. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  12. ^ Black, Lisa (9 July 2017). "Review: 'Heart First Aid Kit' by Grace Petrie". Loud Women. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  13. ^ Black, Lisa (9 October 2018). "Grace Petrie: 'Queer as Folk' – LP review". Loud Women. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  14. ^ Wright, Jade (6 June 2016). "Jeremy Corbyn concert will see famous faces celebrating Labour leader". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  15. ^ "New series of lockdown gigs will highlight Leicester musicians". De Montfort University. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Grace Petrie On Streaming, Fan Power, And The Way Ahead". Clash. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b Smith, Carl (15 March 2024). "Ariana Grande's eternal sunshine earns her fifth UK Number 1 album". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  18. ^ Murray, Robin (29 January 2024). "Grace Petrie Announces New Album 'Build Something Better'". Clash. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Grace Petrie songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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