Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Kruse.
Hi Grace, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in the san Juan mountains, Durango, Colorado. Both of my parents are kind, loving, amazing people. They are artists/creatives. As a kid I was always making things, sewing, cooking, baking, painting, drawing, sculpting. Traditional school bored me, so at age 15, I left high school, got my GED and learned to blow glass while being the head pie-maker at our local diner. Meanwhile my big Brother Cuatro was playing guitar in a punk-rock band. I decided I wanted to play guitar. I was determined to be a guitarist, but I wasn’t very good at playing chords. After years of my Brother urging me to pick up the bass, I finally did. And from that day forward, I fell in love with the bass. At this point, I was a huge fan of reggae music. I went to every show I could. I got a fake ID, not to drink (I wasn’t interested in that) but to get into these shows. “Rasta Stevie” brought some of the biggest reggae acts through our little mountain town, and is the resident reggae Dj at KDUR Radio (still to this day). Thanks to him, he exposed me to reggae music. Also, my parents went to Jamaica and my Dad played the mixtapes he got on repeat my entire childhood, and still now! My mom helped my buy my first 4 string Ibanez bass guitar and amp when I was 19, and I declared, “I’m going to be a reggae Bassie”. Literally that week, I went to deliver a custom sewn shirt to my friend and that is where I met my teacher Lincoln. He had a 6 string Ibanez bass and a book of astrology in his room. He just happened to be a reggae bassist/producer from Jamaica, and he became my Mr. Miagi. He taught me not only how to play heavy reggae basslines, but taught me about Jamaican culture, Rastafari, and most importantly, how to love myself. He took me under his wing, moved in with my Brother and I, and within a month of me picking up the bass, Lincoln named me “Gracie Bassie” and we formed A-DUB-ROCK Band with my Brother Cuatro and were booking up shows like crazy. We opened for all the big reggae acts that came through town like the Meditations, Itals, Anthony B, Sister Carol, Julian Marley, and many more. We traveled throughout the southwest to play shows also. We were practicing one day and Lincoln noticed I could hold a conversation while playing bass, so he said try singing and playing. So I did, and then I began singing lead while playing bass. After a few years of A-Dub Rock Band, I wanted to go further. I wanted to make it to Jamaica. So, I set out for Los Angeles, CA where my Sister lived and dove into the music scene, playing with all the local reggae musicians. I then moved up to the bay area and continued playing bigger festivals. While also learning to operate a recording studio. A huge turning point was when I played for Marlon Asher at Reggae on the River 2014. Soon after I received a call form reggae star Anthony B who saw me perform. He invited me to come to Jamaica and play bass in his band. So, I did. We toured Europe, the caribbean, south america, places I didn’t even know existed. That chapter ended and I stayed in Kingston, Jamaica, living there for a few years, while playing music with Max Romeo, Earl “Chinna” Smith, and more legendary artistes. I also gained quite a following in Jamaica by singing and playing all the old hit songs at local venues. Eventually, I returned to Denver, and continued. Formed Gracie Bassie and the “Dub Galaxy Band” playing venues and festivals around the Denver area. That is when I formed my own record label “Gracie Bassie Music” in 2016 and began producing and releasing my original music. In 2020 I became a Mom, witnessed my greatest creation come to life my Son, “Tiger”, re-named my label “Tigers Milk Productions” and took a break from live music (along with the whole world lol) and dove into the studio/recording, while playing a few shows a year. Fast-forward to today, I have around 20 singles and features released, have a new amazing band formed for “Gracie Bassie” that I front, and also continue to back reggae artistes, and am diving into the sync-licensing world of music. I’m entering a whole new chapter of music and creativity, with a massive library of music ready to release. While this story may not seem brief lol, I left out alot of life’s ups and downs, each being such a key element to every step of this journey. I am just in awe of the flow of every single day, and what is now and what is to come. Grateful for each step of the way and everyone in it along the way. I love to create, and am here to spread love and light and remind people that they can have, do or be anything they want in this life! That the sky is not even the limit!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, when I first began the music journey, being pretty young out there in a male dominated scene, and navigating that as a young woman was hard at times. A lot of times I would show up to a studio ready to record, and they had different agendas. Thankfully, my teacher Lincoln really taught me how to compose myself and be humble and confident, and resilient as a woman. That is why I decided to create my own home studio to be able to create freely.
Throughout this journey, there has been heartbreak, death’s in my family, hardship, but more-so there has been miracles. I have really had to hold my faith in God and the Universe, while following my heart and dreams, because there have been times when I have $5 to my name, sleeping in my car before shows, people giving their opinions and projecting their fears, and continuing to believe that it’s all going to be ok. As an artist, I’ve learned to go with the flow, and trust my inner guidance system, and things continue to work out for me, time after time. All praises to the Most High!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am “Gracie Bassie”. A Bassist. A music producer. An artist. A singer/songwriter. An entreprenuer. A DIY creative. A multi media creative alien. Really, I can make anything out of anything! I am known for being a unique musician in the reggae music scene. I’m a 6ft tall, blonde, swiss/german woman who stands out in the reggae music scene. I play real roots reggae, not “Cali” reggae. Not that there’s anything wrong with Cali reggae, I was just raised on real roots reggae and I just think that is what has gained me love and respect in Jamaica and worldwide, is that I’m honoring the roots and culture of Jamaica, while also being my Colorado born self. I don’t claim to be a star singer or bassist, but it is rarer for a bassist to sing simultaneously. I have a multi track mind that somehow facilitates that combination, and I feel so good when I combine the two in unison. Becoming a Mother is probably the most amazing part of my journey and has embellished my music and creativity in ways I could have never imagined. I believe in myself, and love to encourage others to believe in themselves too, and follow their hearts. I truly love life and am proud of my genuine love within, and the ability to shine that on others, and find the gold in everyone. The ability to zoom out and see things from a broad perspective. I’m a happy soul, and happy to be here, and I’m happy about that 🙂
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
When I was little, I was strong willed, determined, artistic, capable, creative, but also kind, sweet, and caring. I was never into “the crowd” but had a few select friends and stayed close to my family. I loved nature, animals, and anything creative. I loved making things. I rented cook books from the library in elementary school. I was athletic, but preferred individual sports over team sports lol. I ski raced, and also skied for fun. My Dad had us backpacking the high country mountains from young. My Mom was always cooking delicious meals, with me right there helping her.
Pricing:
- Pricing???
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Graciebassie.com
- Instagram: @graciebassiee
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/GRACIEBASSIE
