‘Bring Me To Tears’ leaves Melbourne wanting Moore
Gracie Moore’s first EP, ‘Bring Me To Tears’, made a stunning debut at the Catfish on Friday evening, solidifying Moore as one to watch in the local music scene.
Openers Hannah and the Heartstrings and Hannie Day set the tone for the evening beautifully, with Hannah’s visceral lyricism and soulful vocals, and Hannie Day’s unexpectedly poignant observations of everyday life and charismatic stage presence. Both acts were a delight to watch and captured and recaptured the attention of their audience with unique turns of phrase and intricate melodies. Concluding their set, Hannah reflected on the full circle moment of opening for Gracie Moore, who opened for Hannah and the Heartstrings’ debut performance in 2024.
As Gracie Moore and her band quietly took the stage in the packed and noisy room, Moore exhibited a skill set to become her signature move for the evening: with no introduction, and nothing but an acoustic guitar and a delicate melody, Moore had the room completely silenced in seconds, the audience hanging off her every word.
Opening with her debut single and first song off the EP, ‘Grange’, Moore’s performance was a masterclass in holding back, drawing the audience in as they waited with bated breath for the rare, but breathtaking, belted moments. The live performance and stylistic choices from the band gave the song a new dimension from its recorded version, drawing the audience into the nostalgic and melancholic world of the song, which explores the experience of moving out of a childhood home. With beautifully layered harmonies, and sparse, haunting guitar lines, Moore’s performance ensured the audience would be utterly captivated for the evening.
I’m leaving the shade for the light
I’m here but I’m tired
The room is warm, but it’s empty
And I can smell my family
– ‘Grange’
Moving into the second song off the EP, ‘All the Time’, Moore again began with just her vocal and the guitar, once again rendering the crowded room completely silent. Moore had superpower in this maneuverer, and as the night progressed it was clear that she knew it. Slowly building into a full band arrangement, the intentionality and consideration exhibited by the band all evening truly shone on this number, as every element included added to the song, no aspect overpowering the atmosphere being built.
Taking a brief break from songs off the EP and making sure ‘we’re not getting too depressed’, the band moved into a cover of Tough Love by Flyte. Moore did a stunning job of making the song her own, and, as the full band kicked in for the highest energy moment of the night so far, gave a taste of how she might approach more high energy work in future projects, leaving everyone in the room hoping that she will.
Moving through more original songs and tracks from the EP, and a particularly memorable mashup of Bon Iver’s ‘Lump Sum’ with her own original, Moore continued to keep her audience completely mesmerised with sparkling vocals, evocative and nostalgic lyricism, and full band arrangements so well executed you might not have even noticed them building around you until you were in the thick of the universe each song created. Avoiding superfluous moments or unnecessary solos, everything served to centre Moore’s vocals and songwriting, giving this stunning EP the launch it so deserved.
Wanna tell you
That I miss you when you’re beside me
– ‘All The Time’
The closing number for the evening, another song from the EP called ‘Freckled’, was an absolute highlight of the show. Starting with her signature stripped back opening, the band kicked in early in the song for the highest energy piece of the evening, with a driving beat from the bass and drums, several layers of breathtaking vocal harmonies, and gorgeous melodic guitar lines. The song was begging for Moore to go all out on the vocals, the audience almost holding their breath until the stunning climax of the song. Moore looked completely in the zone of her music, but without closing off, rather inviting her audience to fully experience the wonder of this moment with her. Over too soon, the band fell away in the closing lines, ending the show the way she began, and as she does best, just Gracie and her guitar.
‘Bring Me To Tears’ is an unequivocal success for a debut EP, and a phenomenal introduction to Gracie Moore, exploring themes of heartache, family, and growing up and finding oneself, over gentle and melodic arrangements, and with heartfelt vocals and lyricism throughout. With such an impressive launch, everyone in attendance will surely be waiting to see what comes next.