Formed in 2011, Grayscale have been quick to rise through the ranks of their music scene. Their debut album, Adornment, offers a relentless barrage of energetic emotion, fuelled by alternative and well-crafted personal narratives. Impact spoke with lead vocalist Collin Walsh to talk about Grayscale’s unprecedented rise to success, their UK/EU tour, and Adornment.
As a self-described alternative rock band, Grayscale were quick to make their mark. Their debut album has been nothing but a success. The album harmoniously balances punchy tracks like ‘Let It Rain’ and ‘Atlantic’ with much more personal tracks like ‘Forever Yours’ and ‘Mum’. I ask Collin if he finds playing it cathartic playing the emotive tracks live.
“It’s a feeling of pure emotional connection”
“Absolutely,” he says. “The lyrical process for me is super cleansing, it’s the only time in my life where I feel 100% free to say what I am thinking/feeling. The moment where you’re yelling the same words as someone crowd-surfing up to you is unexplainable; it’s a feeling of pure emotional connection without having a real dialogue.”
As an upcoming band in the alternative scene, Grayscale are often undertaking huge tours. I ask Collin what he enjoys most about touring and visiting different cities. “Seeing all kinds of different cultural norms and learning about the world”, he says. “There is so much to see and learn, I am so thankful I am able to do it as a job.”
Grayscale recently completed their UK/EU tour alongside fellow alternative band, As It Is. The bands secured a sold-out venue at Rock City – that’s no small feat. You’ll be even more surprised to learn it was Grayscale’s first time touring the UK. With that in mind, I’m curious to know how Collin, and the band, found touring the UK.
“Yes, first time! It was unreal. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of fan reaction. However, it became clear pretty quickly that we had quite a bit of supporters overseas. We met so many people and made more memories than I can count.”
“A childhood dream come true”
With Grayscale’s first UK/EU tour off to a success, I take the opportunity to ask Collin about the band’s upcoming debut at the iconic Vans Warped Tour. In the alternative music industry, Vans Warped Tour is legendary, but, unfortunately, the massively successful shows have hit the end of the line and this year’s is the last.
Despite that, Collin seems to be looking forward to playing the festival. “[We’re] so excited,” he tells me. “Playing Warped is a childhood dream come true. We’re so fortunate to be able to do it at least once; it’ll be our first, last, and only. We have a ton of friends playing the tour, new and old. We are also super stoked to watch some of our heroes and potentially get to know them over the summer!”
Last of all, I ask what to expect from Grayscale in the future – to which Collin wittily replies: “the unexpected.”
Zoya Raza-Sheikh
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