Welcome to the world of grentperez. A vividly vibrant universe, inspired by nostalgia, love, loss, families, friendship and some brilliant influences from the artist's parents record collection, When We Were Younger is the new seven-song EP from the Sydney-based singer/songwriter. “Connecting with what I remember as a really lovely childhood grounds me in the real world and keeps me thinking of the important friends and family in my life,” grentperez says. “It keeps me from getting ahead of myself.” Getting ready for a major international headline tour across the UK, Europe and the US (where all stops are sold out), we spoke to grentperez on release day about the new project:

‍Congratulations on your new EP! We love every minute of it. How are you feeling ahead of the release this week? How do you hope people receive this project?

I really hope that this project finds its place in people's hearts, there's a song for almost everyone in there from Disco, to ballad and even groove! So I'm excited.

What do you hope to convey on When We Were Younger? Did you have an intention going into forming this project?

I saw this project as looking into the past, but staying hopeful for the future. Time never stops, and neither does the growing so I thought it would be good to take a little break and reminisce for a bit.

Where did you write and create these songs? Is there something that has been conducive to your writing process? Who else did you work with?

This record was a very collaborative project across different countries, writing wherever I could. So there's a mix of songs at home in Sydney, some in the UK and the others in US. Working with Gladius (US), Matt Zara (UK), Lola Scott and Luke Gerber (AU), Robby De Sa (AU), Phil Cook, Deeps, Nick Bradley (UK).

What did you learn from making this record?

Writing these tracks made me see how there are a lot of similarities between people's lives, how people share different experiences but learn similar outcomes. Like how people cope with heartbreak, how people grow up.

The main concept around this body of work is nostalgia. Why did you want to focus on this concept? What does it mean to you?

I just felt that it was important for me to connect with myself and who I am before I progress with my career.

Is there a specific song on this project that you are most proud of?

Silver Lining is my most favourite, big vibe.

How do you think you have evolved since your last EP in 2022?

I think it sounds a lot more full with a much clearer vision, I'd love to keep writing these concept based records.

You have great sounds - who influences you musically?

Rex Orange County, Bread, Daniel Caesar, Jeremy Passion.

Dream collaboration?

Rex Orange County.

What’s next for the world of grentperez?

More live shows and hopefully an album around the corner. 

Photographs by Theo Batterham.

@grentperez