Grace Graber, a Christian artist from Nashville, Tennessee, is passionate about mental health and loves all things pop-punk. Her journey in music started when a song by Christian rock band Hawk Nelson saved her life as a teenager. And since then, she’s been sharing hope and encouragement through her songs.
Growing up on early 2000s Christian rock bands, her sound naturally leans into that pop-punk vibe that feels like a throwback—but with a fresh twist. Her goal? To connect with anyone who's ever felt like they're struggling and to remind them they're never alone. Whether through catchy hooks or honest lyrics, she’s here to spread a message of faith, resilience, and finding light in the darkest times.
Could you tell us about your latest project, Breakthrough? What's the story and inspiration behind the album?
The Breakthrough is my first full-length album—and I can’t believe it! My producer, Blake Cross, and I have worked hard on this project for over two years. The concept of this album comes from realizing that God can take all our broken pieces and fashion them into something beautiful.
Your latest project touches on mental health. Why that topic? If applicable, how do you struggle with mental health?
I was diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the age of 13 after being verbally and physically assaulted in middle school. I've been fighting to protect my younger self for my entire adult life. And so mental health is such an important topic for me because it's something almost all of us can relate to on some level.
Mental health is health. It's just such an internal thing that it often feels exceptionally personal. But what I have learned in my journey is that God allows us to go through some of those things to walk us through them. He wants us to let Him into every part of our lives. My new album does a great job of highlighting many internal struggles and how we can see God on the other side of them.
You love rock. Could you tell us more about that?
It's who I am. Every time I go to write a song, it comes out with a punk rock twist that I can't control and don't want to control. Every upbeat song comes out with so much energy, and it really leaves the slow songs intimate and time of worship, and that's genuinely who I am.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Before I answer this, the team on this album—Blake Cross, Joseph O'Brien, Tyler Moody, Ross Black, Andrew Cojo, and Jonathan Berlin—worked so hard. This was indeed a passion project for everyone. We are so proud.
To answer your question, my musical inspirations include Hawk Nelson, Run Kid Run, Philmont, and Christian contemporary music (CCM) from the early 2000s.
How do you balance your career as an esthetician and independent artist?
I don't. Haha! I work full-time and couldn't pay the bills without it. It has allowed this album to happen, and I am very happy to have such a supportive workplace.
What other projects are you currently working on?
Many. The following year is planned. So, get ready.
And, finally, how can we be praying for you?
Pray God's will be done. I have plenty of music in the queue and a great team. The rest is going to be whatever God has for me. I pray that God will honor the hands that worked on this.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with more than 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus.
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