ACL preview: Kara Grainger

Kara Grainger moved from Australia to LA and now continues her eastward journey to play at this year’s ACL Fest. We talked to her as she tried to ford the river, drowning her oxen in the process.

That Other Paper You’ve been to Austin before, for South by Southwest, and it seems like you have quite a few Austin dates coming up over the next few months. Do you have any favorite things to do in Austin?

Kara Grainger 

Kara Grainger I love the whole area around South Congress and am quite fond of having a quiet beer and watching the cars and people go by, or visiting a few shops. I also like having a morning cup of tea at Lake Travis. That’s a nice way to start the day.

TOP What can we expect from your live show at ACL? Any special visits from Amos Lee?

KG The live show at ACL will feature a wonderful group of Austin musicians that I’ve been working with including Chris Maresh, Rob Kazinel, and Michael Ramos. I know Amos will be there enjoying the festival, so he may come down depending on his own schedule that weekend.

TOP Your lyrics seem very personal and introspective. Generally, what do you most want to communicate to audiences? How will you translate this to a large festival like ACL?

KG I do try an express myself naturally to audiences and usually have a great time and hope that the feeling flows on. I think the songs will go over really well at ACL because a lot of them are built around the groove. There are a few ballads as well, and my lyrics are always connected to my own experiences somehow.

TOP Americans have a lot of misconceptions about Australia. What is the one most important thing we should know about the real Australia?

KG It’s all true! It’s a land full of convicts, sandy white beaches, beer, great food, and cricket.

TOP Is there anything else our readers or ACL Festival-goers should know about you?

KG It’s a little early in our relationship to get that personal. Just come down enjoy the music and don’t stand too close to the guitar amplifier, because it’s going to be loud.