Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Reyer.
Grace, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It was always going to be about the tangible world. It started with constant trips to the library and hiding my beloved books under my bed. Being the second top customer at my local Blockbuster before I turned 13 years old (I asked the clerk how I could become the number one customer to which he replied “Trust me – you don’t want to be number one.”). I asked to keep my parents’ records before there was a turntable to my name. My mom quizzed me about rock bands on the way to a religious private school where I was “designing fashion collections” for my teachers. In elementary school, a teacher asked us all to share our favorite songs. Mine was “Dancing Days” (Side 2, Track 1 of Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin). I was assured I would go to hell for this answer. To quote the great Curtis Mayfield, “If there’s a hell below, we’re all going to go.”
After high school, I took the scenic route through college, eventually landing in art school in Seattle with my now husband. While we loved it there in many ways, we came back to Texas. I often say Texans are called to come home at some point by the dirt or the water or some magnetic force yet to be discovered. I started working at Antone’s Nightclub and volunteering at KOOP Radio. These two beacons taught me about the interconnectedness of everything. There’s this whole invisible fabric of Austin (and everywhere truly) that’s made possible by the people who live there and care most about their neighbors and what they love to make and share. KOOP radio gave me my first opportunities to make posters. When the Far Out opened, Lawrence Boone hired me for several early days shows. The record and book collection kept growing.
In late 2022, I was skating by on poster design when a friend (and fellow KOOP-er), Max Yancy, asked if I would want to open a record store. By the time this interview comes out, I’m proud to say we will have been open for over 2 years having booked some incredible shows, made some cool posters, held incredible albums, co-founded a radio station and learned how to be a positive force in our community. What’s next? Who knows.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve gotten very lucky in many ways meeting talented, kind folks who were eager to collaborate or lend a hand. They inspire me not only with their art but mostly their humanity. The biggest obstacles have definitely been trying to make ends meet and getting out of my own head. You have to remind yourself why you do what you do. If the answer isn’t “fun”, then something got crossed somewhere. I’ve discovered that for me personally, having some income that doesn’t demand all my creativity helps a lot too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m probably most known for my show posters. I’m most proud of one I did for Austin Psych Fest this Spring. I wanted to be included in those artists I admire for years. I think everyone is creative and brings their unique approach to whatever they put their hand to. It’s important to follow that thread, be proud, and again, have fun. That makes you stand out.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I started as a painting major in college. I used to only paint. I used to sit on the floor by our Murphy bed and do 6 foot oil paintings I would carry a few blocks to school. Sometimes the traffic cop would stop traffic for me. I lost all my paintings in a hurricane. It’s been hard for me to return to since then but it’s one of my biggest goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graceareyer.com
- Instagram: @kozmicbluejeans
Image Credits
Salihah Saadiq
