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Greyson Chance: Getting a new chance at music

SINGAPORE — Teen musician Greyson Chance has had more highs and lows than most teenagers his age.

Greyson Chance says he has grown a lot in his musical and personal tastes and is more determined than ever. Photo: Universal Music Singapore

Greyson Chance says he has grown a lot in his musical and personal tastes and is more determined than ever. Photo: Universal Music Singapore

SINGAPORE — Teen musician Greyson Chance has had more highs and lows than most teenagers his age.

The 18-year-old first came to the world’s attention a few years ago as a young child musician — at 12 — and made waves with his music on YouTube and high-profile television shows such as Ellen.

He released an album and went on a tour around the world. Then, he was dropped by his record label and wandered about in music limbo for a bit. But now, fans have another chance to listen to Chance, with the release of his new EP, Somewhere Over My Head.

“I’m coming back to the scene a bit older and I may not be terribly wiser, but I think my tastes and influences have definitely changed. It’s more reflective now of where I’m at,” he told TODAY over the phone from Los Angeles.

Unlike his previous releases such as Hold On ’Til The Night, the new EP features a lot of urban rhythms and electronica.

“I’m very inspired by indie music and a lot of electronic music out there. I like hearing what these artistes have to say through the songs. There’s a lot of urban and soul in me, too, so that’s reflected in the new songs,” he said.

This shift in musical form may come as a surprise to fans, but for Chance, it marks a rediscovery of his self as a musician and a person.

“I had to grow up very quickly when I was dropped by the label in 2012. It was very tough for me and I think I had to fall in love with music again,” he said, adding that during the hoopla of those years of initial success, he sometimes forgot why he was there in the first place.

“The label dropping me was bad at first, but now that I look back at it, it was a really defining moment. I had to pick up the pieces and figure out where I wanted to go with my life,” he said.

“I’m more determined. I’m more inspired than I have ever felt before. I’m fearless now — more than ever. When you go through some of the things I’ve gone through ... (it may seem like) I’ve kind of been left behind. But I’m not scared of that anymore.”

He also isn’t scared of how the public perceives him or his music, citing how, after he posted a picture of himself in a library, a reporter had remarked that it wasn’t a very popstar move.

“Maybe I’m not a popstar then. I’m just a musician. I write songs and I play songs. Whether it’s cool or not to be in a library, well, I like books, so maybe that’s just my MO,” he said.

What he is feeling, more than ever, is excitement about his new music — and the fact that he’s coming over to Singapore to perform the songs at A Rooftop Affair 2016, a concert held on the roof of myVillage in Serangoon Gardens.

“I think Singapore has the nicest people I’ve ever met. Everyone is super sweet and I love the fans — they are always very enthusiastic,” he enthused. “And the food! You have black pepper crab! That, to me, is my favourite thing in the world. I don’t care what else I eat when I’m there, as long as I have that.”

As for his show, he said it would be “a bit of a reintroduction of Greyson Chance to Singapore”.

“If you liked the old records, I can’t promise that the EP delivers on all those levels. And I can’t hit those crazy high notes that I used to anymore. But at least come and check out the show, and let me prove myself to you.”

A Rooftop Affair 2016 will be held on the roof of myVillage in Serangoon Gardens on June 18.

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