Exclusive: Mallrat Speaks on 'Groceries' Success, Australian Music Scene + More

Grace Shaw just turned 21 this past week but she’s been making music for a few years now. Better known by her stage name Mallrat, the Australian artist wants her indie-pop charm to stick with you for decades to come. I spoke with Mallrat before her show at the Pike Room inside the Crofoot in Pontiac, Mich. on September 19.

Mallrat Begins

Mallrat released her EP Uninvited in July of 2016. The next year she signed with Canadian record label Nettwerk Records and released her second EP In the Sky in June of 2018. The third single from that release, “Groceries,” really took off earlier this year, with over 37 million streams according to Nettwerk SVP/National Promotion Jeff Ballard.

Right away Mallrat was super cool to talk to and didn’t seem to mind chatting about her blooming career. She released her latest EP in September entitled Driving Music and one of my favorite tracks off of it is “When I Get My Braces Off.” I love the following lyrics:

So yeah, I’m feeling lovely, wonder if you’ll love me
‘Cause I swear I can hear a voice that’s telling me I’m ugly
I say, “Shut the fuck up, I’m tougher than a boxer”
When I get my braces off, I’m gonna be a rockstar

“When I Get My Braces Off” is actually written from Mallrat’s younger sister’s point of view.

“I wish I had that confidence,” Mallrat says. “That was actually written for my baby sister. I wanted her to have something that she could listen to. That she could relate to and feel strong when she listens to it.

She loves the song. I was actually scared to show her. I thought maybe she wouldn’t like it but it’s her favorite song so that made me happy.”

Mallrat knows that she’s in a position that millions of other young musicians would love to be in and is grateful for the support in North America.

“I’m so amazed that I’m getting played on the radio in America ’cause I know it’s kind of hard to crack that,” Mallrat admits. “I’m really happy about that and it means I can tour here more.”

Listen to the entire interview below, where we also talk about the music Mallrat grew up listening to, whether she would want to start her own record label and more.