Local musical prodigy set to release new album

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — At just ten years old, Lulu Grey is already strumming their way into hearts and headlines. With a guitar nearly as big as they are, this musical prodigy first picked up the instrument at age five, and hasn’t put it down since.

“My songs are definitely a part of me” Grey stated.

Grey is non-binary, and feels that music is a space where they can fully be themselves.

“It can be hard in some circumstances and it really makes you want to be like everybody else, because it’s the easier thing to do,” Grey explained. “I think that it’s really important to stay who you are and not change to be like everybody else.”

Lulu first learned how to play guitar from their grandpa during COVID.

“We started with things like Three Little Birds, You Are My Sunshine, one of our favorites, and Lulu is extremely talented” said Grey’s grandpa, Dan Gentile. “I could never teach Lulu to do what they do. That is what they do. I couldn’t be prouder, and I consider it one of my great accomplishments in life to know that I had something to do with it.”

Grey said that their journey to performing began at an open mic, hosted by Erin Harkes.

“She heard me play and she invited me to come play at Caffé Lena in October 2024, and it was a really fun experience” Grey added. “Since then she’s really done a lot for me and helps me. We went to a recording studio and I recorded all my songs with her and she’s just been really great and supportive and helped me through this.”

Grey is releasing their first album at the end of the month, and will be performing at Lark Hall.

“When I went into the recording studio, I had just heard my songs with the guitar and then I heard them with the band and I heard like all the different drums and electric guitar and piano” Grey commented. “I was blown away.”

They say a big reason they write music, is to help process emotions.

“If I’m angry about something that happened, I can just play the music” Grey explained. “Usually after I have, I feel kind of settled.”

They also use it as a channel to express their love for others. Like with their song, He Taught Me Everything, about their late uncle.

“It was about my great uncle who actually passed away a couple of years ago, and I kind of wrote this song based on that” Grey noted. “He was a great person.”

They also wrote their song, Shooting Star, for a loved one.

“That one is about my sister. She has autism and that song is kind of about how much I love her and how cool I think she is.”

When it comes to their future, they’re on track to take the scene by storm.

“I would really like to be like a singer songwriter as my career” Grey said.

Grey’s first ever album release concert is on Friday, September 26th, at Lark Hall in Albany. When it comes to their artistry, their message is clear.

“The world needs more poets, and you should always do what your heart wants you to do” Grey asserted.