Nashville-based guitarist Grace Bowers is XPN’s August 2024 Artist to Watch. To say that she shreds is an understatement. The freshly turned 18-year-old commands her guitar with grace and flare, repeatedly demonstrating her guitar genius.
Where other artists choose to express emotions through lyrics, Bowers shares it all through her passionate playing, fluid fretwork, and skillful riffs. “Guitar is an extension of me and a way to communicate my feelings,” says Bowers, “It’s all about the feel, especially when I’m playing blues. I’m just trying to have my own voice on the guitar… when you listen to me, I hope you hear the authenticity, I’m never trying to imitate anybody else. I’m just trying to make the music I want to make.”
Bowers burst onto the scene during the pandemic, when she started posting videos of herself playing the guitar. The product of hard dedication and everyday practice, Bowers quickly wowed the internet and caught the attention of other artists such as Dolly Parton. She may be a fresh face in the world of Rock n’ Roll and Blues, but her soulful and electric tracks make it clear she’s here to stay.
Big things are lined up for Bowers this year. Her debut album Wine On Venus is out later this month on August 9 with her band The Hodge Podge (made up of Joshua Blaylock on keys, Brandon Combs on drums, Esther Okai-Tetteh on vocals, Prince Parker on guitar, and Eric Fortaleza on bass). She will also play a run of shows in the Fall, including the XPoNential Music Festival on September 22. You can find more information at XPN’s Concert Calendar.