Get To Know: Baby Cool

Image credit: Imogen Thomas

We’ve been big fans of Meanjin/Brisbane’s Nice Biscuit for years now, so when we first heard the news that co-front woman Grace Cuell was stepping out in solo mode as Baby Cool and preparing a solo record, we were pretty damn excited.

Following the release of a few enchanting singles, Baby Cool’s debut album Earthling On The Road To Self Love is a gorgeous combination of tranquil psych pop and alt-folk. Luscious & layered, the nine songs on the album see Cuell’s silvery, entrancing vocals floating over all manner of groove-laden rhythm sections and guitar strums.

With Earthling On The Road To Self Love out today, Cuell is gearing up for shows all along the east coast (see below for dates). To celebrate the release of the album, we got to know Baby Cool a bit better - have a listen and get to know below!

Earthling on the Road to Self Love - the album title almost has science fiction vibes meets mental health to me, how did you come to this title?

The songs on the record are all love letters to myself. Being a human (or an Earthling) is really difficult sometimes, and I like to think of this record as a soft pillow to rest my weary head on. And as for the science fiction- I think we tend to forget that we are floating around in space with the rest of the stars.

Dealing with relatable mental health themes on the album, what were some of the rituals you developed to help with certain aspects?

I find journalling to be an easy way to track the eb and flow of my emotions. In the last 12 months I started recording voice memo journal entries on my phone. This was pretty weird at first, but after a while I started to lean in. Another important ritual for me is walking my dog Coco, who is a very good boy. I’m not saying that you should get a dog, but it did change my life for the better in ways I didn’t anticipate.

How do Nice Biscuit and Baby Cool work alongside each other? Does one influence/inspire the other?

I feel like I owe a lot to Nice Biscuit for the musician I’ve grown into. The Biccies is a collaborative project, and this has been so rewarding in a number of ways. Even though our styles are very different, I don’t think I would be writing songs for Baby Cool in the way that I am without all of those years in the Biccie realm. It is nice to have the balance of something so collaborative as Nice Biscuit with something like Baby Cool where I am in the driver’s seat. I have learned so much from both.

You’ve released a couple of really cool trippy/psychedelic music videos, tell us about how these were initially conceived and created?

I originally wrote the album with the intention of making a full-length film to accompany it. Unfortunately I am not a gazillionaire, so a full-length film was a bit out of my budget. So I settled on a three-part film spanning three singles. I worked alongside Brisbane-based creatives Imogen O’Doyle, Miri Badger and Tom Carroll to bring it all to life. The clips are all whacky and don’t make a huge amount of sense - but I guess I feel the same way about life.

How important are your other artistic endeavours (ceramics, textiles) in the context of your music?

Sewing and pottery keep me sane and grounded, whereas music can sometimes do the opposite. It’s all a bit of a balancing act. I also think the mediums I work with tend to flow into each other.

Tell us about the Baby Cool live show?

I have a really hot band. It’s an ever-evolving space but at the moment I have either Jess Ferronato or Kurt Melvin on the kit (both Nice Biscuit boys), Nick Cavendish on Bass (also a Biscuit) and Johnny Mort (Flamingo Jones) on keys. We also occasionally have Sam Joseph (Family Jordan) who recorded, mixed and played on a few tracks on the record. He joins us on stage behind the pedal steel when he’s not gallivanting around the globe mixing King Gizz. I feel like I’m still easing into my skin as a solo front woman, as I’m so used to having Billie by my side in Nice Biscuit, but I’m getting there.

What are you most excited for the rest of 2023?

The Biccies and Baby Cool are off to the UK and Europe for a tour in May. This will be a wild ride with all my friends, and I can’t wait.

What have you been listening to on high rotation recently?

Angel Olsen is always at the top of my list, and probably always will be.

How can people best support your art?

This question is hard to answer in the ever-changing landscape of the music industry. But if you like my music share it with your friends. And if you can afford it, buy the record and come to a show!

Earthling on the Road to Self Love is out now via Virgin Music Australia

Baby Cool
Earthling on the Road to Self Love
Album Tour 2023

Friday 10 Feb
Sound Merch in-store
Collingwood, VIC
- Free entry - 

Thursday 16 Feb
Jet Black Cat Music in-store
Brisbane, QL
- Free entry - 

Saturday 18 March
The Malthouse Outdoor Stage, VIC
Tickets 

Saturday 25 March
The Lansdowne, NSW
Tickets 

Sunday 25 March
La La La’s, NSW
Tickets

Saturday 15 April
Eltham Hotel, NSW
Tickets

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