Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Following Macy Gray’s ‘Way’

Music | September 18th, 2014

HPR talks with Gray about music, performing and living bipolar disease

On Sept. 25, 45-year-old Grammy Award Winning artist Macy Gray will promote her new record, “The Way,” in the F-M area with a concert.

When the musical soul diva, renowned for the hit single “I Try,” shares her distinctive raspy voice to the blend of guitars, percussion, bass and drums, faithful fans will vibe with her ability to blanket rock ‘n’ roll with soulful blues and pop.

Here’s is our exclusive interview with the artist:

High Plains Reader: Can you shed light on your career trajectory from the being tabbed as Generation X's version of Billie Holiday to forming an established musical niche with fans?

Macy Gray: I didn't know what that really means … but yeah, we all will have a lot of ups and downs. I think being an artist kinda sets yourself for jumping upward or jumping straight down in the aims of being successful. At the end of the day most of it can make for some great inspiration. It depends on how one looks at it, but I totally know that I grow everyday.

HPR: Fargo-Moorhead is considered more a college town than a musical mecca. You’ve been blessed with experience in both realms. Explain the nostalgia and nightmares of college life and being a musician.

MG: (Laughs) Nope I've never been there before … Sorry about that. Is that the Fargo they been talking about? Oh, well. In college, it's way different than life in the real world. College is a wonderful world. I tell kids to stay in college as long as humanly possible! If you get a Bachelor’s Degree, find out what else they have to offer.

But stay in school! Once you get outta school, it is a whole another world, you know, that doesn't allow you to stay young. Telling yourself you want something and making such dreams come true is a big, big deal. With coming out of college it takes a while to gain traction, cause now you're really not a kid anymore. The folks can't send you off to school any longer. I mean you move back into your parent’s house and bam! You're a loser (laughs).

Yeah and that's when after that six-month defer period is over you're like, “I think I'm going to try my chances with grad school.”

HPR: Now that you are about to dive deep into a 36-concert tour across America, what are some expectations you and “The Way” production team have on such a journey?

MG: Actually, the production crew and myself leave tomorrow. Our first show is in San Diego. We don't have an omen or nothing like that -- it'll be sincere. Ultimately the show is going to be crazy! We're expecting this to be the best tour I've done so far. I'm at the point in my career that I know what I am doing. (Yawns) I haven't had no sleep. I'm sorry, it's not you … It sucks.

HPR: October 7 is around the corner from the release of your eighth album. What will fans and first time listeners’ ears and souls will digest from your product?

MG: You're in the ballpark. This is my sixth solo album and I covered two other albums (one including Stevie Wonder's album “Talking Book”). It's something no one is doing right now. Musically and lyrically, it’s organic. It was interesting to me how I wrapped myself in an album that became really magical, inspiring, well-molded, well-crafted material. I like it a lot ... I am very involved with my records but I definitely have some great producers and writers that mold this with me.

HPR: I peeped out the saucy single “Bang Bang” that you put out into a sexy music video pertaining to gambling, deception and the sybaritic LA lifestyle. Tell me your side about this music video?

MG: I was involved in an awesome cocktail mixture of a party and a performance!

HPR: Use three words to describe life now for you.

MG: Um, right now? Right this second? Hot! In LA -- it's 104 degrees right now. Hot! Crazy … What's the other one? How can I say what I am feeling right now? Inspired! Very inspired. I can scribble a thousand song right now.

HPR: Use four characteristics to describe your live performances.

MG: (She takes a moment to answer before replying) My live performances are unforgettable, unique, lots of glitter and fulfilling.

HPR: Like any state in America, North Dakota carries a dark shadow with alcoholism and a high rate of mental diseases. Can you share your plight with bipolar disorder with us?

MG: It’s about learning to live with things ... You're gonna figure out the things that challenge you, as long as you can recognize those then you can deal with them, build off that, manipulate them into something positive -- into who you are wanting to be.

HPR: And I assume music, acting and motherhood ('motherhood' is inked on her left forearm) are your weapons to cope with BP?

MG: Oh yeah. But actually the next best thing that soothes my soul is video games! … My mind really calms down between all that.

IF YOU GO:

Macy Gray

Thurs, Sept 25, 8 p.m.

Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway

all ages, jadepresents.com

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…