GREX
“My inspirations are Freddie Mercury, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, Tones and I and LP. I think I took a little bit from all of them to créate my own style, but I don’t even know which style that is!”
GREX
And now for something really different. GREX is a street performer from Madrid, Spain, whose Bob Marley locks and diminutive frame combine with her very cool vocals and zesty acoustics to create a vibe that’s something truly unique.
We invited GREX to the blog to find out more about this intriguing young artist.
How old are you and where did you grow up?
I’m 24. I was born in Argentina but I moved to Spain (Madrid) when I was 6 years old. So I grew up here in Madrid.
What interesting things can you tell me about yourself?
Music is my life, I started singing when I was like 8 years old, more or less, and I started to play the guitar at 10 and also began composing then.
I moved to London in 2016, where I discovered the Busker’s world and I’ve been living by the music and doing all music stuff since then. I write poetry too!
How long have you been busking?
I’ve been busking for 4 years. I started in London and I busked in more countries in Europe, but not outside of Europe or the U.K. yet.
Who are your musical inspirations and why?
I could say my inspirations are Freddie Mercury, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, I also like Tones and I and LP.
For me, all of those, and all the 80’s and 90’s artists are an inspiration, I’ve been listening to all of them since I was like 3 years old.
I think I took a little bit from all of them to créate my own style, but I don’t even know which style that is!
What are some great moments you have had while busking?
Almost all of them. Getting to know new people, every day you can hear great things that the people say about your music, you see everybody enjoyng and dancing and almost every day at least one person comes up and says that you made their day. For me, that is really satisfying.
I also saw people crying while listening to my music, that makes me feel the best human ever.
To be honest, every moment is special for me, every day is different and at the same time, just as I make their day, they make mine.
Do you use an Eftpos Square? Do you think busking can survive an increasingly cashless world?
No I dont use one. I think of course we will survive, like everything in this world, we can adapt our busking kit, for example using an Eftpos Square or some other technology.
Picking one of your original songs, what can you tell me about the story behind your lyrics?
‘I don’t feel at home’ is my last song. It talks about the anxiety, when you feel that you are not part of this world anymore, even if you are with all the people who you love.
I think all of us feel that, at least once in our lives. That feeling that you only wanna stay in your bed the whole day, that is what ‘I don’t feel at home’ means, because when you are in that situation you can’t feel at home, anywhere.
If you could choose a lyric from any song, that’s special to you, what would it be?
I would pick ‘’La guitarra’’ – Los autenticos decandentes.
What’s a great piece of advice you’ve been given, or that you would give someone else?
Before starting to busk I asked one busker about it called Nik Davis, he is based in London, he told me to do it and I said to myself, ‘’why not?’’
So I did it.
If I have to give some advice I would say do it with passion, have fun, respect everybody and always take a risk and try!
What’s next for GREX?
For this year, 2020, I will start travelling, busking around Europe. I want to be known in more countries.
I’ll post one new álbum and new Live videos!
Hear and see more from GREX on her socials:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GREXMIL/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/grebor_/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/GREXMIL
Leanne Ortiz 