Carsen Gray, ever at home in her Haida Gwaii landscape, has walked a road of healing and self-acceptance to carry a message of gratitude to her listeners.
Gray’s insightful mother recognized her talent very young. With the support of her uncle Bobby Taylor who famously discovered, mentored and produced the Jackson 5’s 1969 debut, she recorded her first song at just nine years old. She continued under Taylor’s oversight, performing around Vancouver, British Columbia as she honed her piano skills and her passion for gospel and soul.
Inspired by the dramatic landscapes, and rich heritage of the Haida as well as Motown icons such as Céline Dion, Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys, Gray has developed a signature style all her own. Her singer-songwriter tradition carries quality in a sound characterized by calming, whispy vocals, folksy riffs and reflective lyrics.
Since her 2017 self-titled debut album and subsequent SiriusXM’s Best New Artist Award, she has caught the attention and acclaim of press such as COMPLEX, Cowboys & Indians Mag, Exclaim! and PopWrapped. In 2018 her single “Wanna See You”, featuring JUNO-nominated DJ Shub, received “Best Radio Single.”
Popping up on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and at JunoFest, then releasing her 2020 single “Sah ‘Laana” and its intimate… Read Full Article on SAY Magazine
