While there are a number of musicians that try to break new ground, Canadian musical artist Grimes is looking to take her music and her art to new levels. From her work with her self-made albums to her groundbreaking music videos, Grimes has made her presence known.
Starting from Her Bedroom
Most artists get their start by playing their guitar or keyboard in their bedroom. From there, the artist will usually connect with other band members, play some gigs, cut a demo and get a record deal. However, Grimes did things differently. Back when she was going by her birth name Clair Boucher, Grimes began to create songs on the computer in her bedroom in Vancouver. From there, she skipped putting together a band, playing gigs or even getting a record deal. Grimes took her music and simply uploaded it on her MySpace page.
Getting Attention Through Self Release Albums
Grimes ethereal and surprisingly professionally made MySpace tracks caught the attention and positive feedback from fans. That lead Grimes to release her first album independently called “Geidi Primes.” The album features hauntingly beautiful tracks that won lots of positive reviews. A year later, Grimes would release “Halfaxa.” Yet again, Grimes would win raves reviews for her original sounds and melodic singing.
Inspired by Science Fiction
In interviews, Grimes talked about how the “Dune” book series informed her on her debut album. Science fiction would become a running theme on her music, album covers, music videos and even her appearance. After releasing her first few albums, Grimes would go on tour and create a colorful show that would include science fiction imagery combined with traditional electronic dance music themes.
Going to a Major Label
After her second album, Grimes would sign with 4AD and release her third album “Visions.” The third album in the Grimes discography did not mark a departure from her previous work but more of an evolution. The songs did have more production quality thanks to advancements in music software. Also, Grimes sought to push what she could do musically. The result is that “Visions” became her best selling album yet. In fact, music magazine NME put “Visions” on their list of the Top 500 Best Albums of All Time.
Grimes’s First Big Single and Introduction To a Wider Audience
The “Visions” album would spawn Grimes first major-label single “Oblivian” along with its music video. For many people, this would be their first introduction to the Vancouver based artist. The video featured Grimes, who also served as co-director, dancing and playing her song in various event venues around Montreal.
An Unreleased Album Spawns a Popular Single
After “Visions,” lots of eyes were on Grimes. Many people in the music world wanted to know what she would do next. Grimes had mentioned that this put some undue pressure on her. From 2013 to 2014, Grimes would create an album that she would later abandon. However, she did release the song “REALTi” from the abandoned album to huge acclaim. Known as one of the most danceable songs ever recorded by Grimes, the video for “REALTi” has over 50 million views on Youtube.
Creating an “Album of the Year”
After her aborted album, Grimes sought to put something out that was better than anything she had ever done before. The result was 2015’s “Art Angeles.” Grimes fourth album would go on to named album of the year by music magazines NME, Exclaim! and Stereogum. She would go on to support Florence and the Machine on a world tour.
“Miss Anthropocene” and Future Projects
Grimes would follow up her 2015 “Art Angeles” album with 2018 “Miss Anthropocene.” Grimes’s fifth album is her last with 4AD and explored a darker, more industrial sound. Today, Grimes continues to not only work in music but with visual art to create completely original ideas.
