In our 10 Musicians to Meet series, taken from 10 Magazine Australia Issue 25 (out now), we meet some of the most exciting, talented musicians rising up in Australia right now:

Give it up for Mallrat. The project of Grace Shaw has catapulted her across the globe since her debut in 2016, with sold-out headline world tours and nearly half a billion streams. As she soars on her introspective new album, Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right, Mallrat solidifies her spot as one of the most talented songwriters on the Australian alternative-pop scene.

When did you fall in love with music?

I remember sitting on the carpet and listening over and over again to Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap on The O.C. soundtrack CD. I was enchanted by the harmonizer [a piece of software that changes pitch] and wanted to understand how she was able to do that with her voice.

Describe your approach to making music and songwriting.

It’s very intuitive and quite a different process each time. Usually the goal is to make something interesting that evokes a strong feeling in me and hopefully also the listener. It’s not always a logical or linear path to make that happen, so staying curious and following intuition is very important!

What’s the one song that will always inspire you?

Hide and Seek [2005]. And You Can Call Me Al [1986] by Paul Simon.

What shaped your musical tastes?

The O.C.’s soundtrack and having SoundCloud as a teenager.

‍Which artist is your North Star?

It used to be Kanye West and Sophie, but now I’m not sure who that person is.

What makes a great song?

The songs I love always make me feel something.

What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of?

This album, [Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right]. I’m also so proud of the visuals that accompany it – I have my friends SJ and Tom to thank for that.

Dream collaboration?

Probably Yung Lean.

The ultimate venue/festival you’d love to play at?

One day I hope to play to a massive crowd at Glastonbury. Watching Glastonbury performances on YouTube always gives me butterflies of excitement.

What’s inspiring you right now?

I am always inspired by sitting outside and watching the world around me. Birds and bugs and people and sunshine.

Listen to Mallrat HERE. Photograph by Charlie Hawks.

@lilmallrat