14 December 26, 2024-January 1, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents O ne of the more beautiful elements of pop music is its eternal renewal. There are always artists refining their sound, hon- ing their approach and deciding how they want to convey their thoughts and feelings to the wider world. Trends and styles and production techniques drift in and out of favor, but this much is certain: Particularly in North Texas, the spectrum of pop mu- sic is broad, bold and frequently surprising. Still, in a state deeply beholden to the growl of rock guitars and the high, lonesome wail of coun- try music fiddles, it can some- times feel as though pop music gets slightly lost in the shuffle. This, despite Texas having turned out of some of the most conse- quential pop artists of the last 50 years: Beyoncé, Leon Bridges and Maren Morris — and that list merely scratches the surface. In other words, sleep on Texas pop artists at your peril. So, as this year winds down and we look ahead to 2025, we considered a trio of talents — all, some or none of whom may be familiar to you — who we think may have a big impact locally and beyond in the coming months. If they aren’t in heavy rotation for you just yet, give it some time. Each of these artists — Gracen Wynn, Sam Cormier and Ella Red — are stepping into the spotlight and will grab your attention. Get familiar with the sound of tomorrow today. Gracen Wynn D allas-based singer-songwriter Gra- cen Wynn is an exceptionally quick study. In less than two years, the 23-year-old has gone from studying the mu- sic business to immersing herself in the thick of it. “I’ve been singing my entire life, and I ac- tually didn’t start writing music until March of 2022,” Wynn says. “Growing up, I was content with singing songs by other artists who inspired me, but as I got older, I knew that if I wanted any remote chance of making music a reality, I’d eventually need to write my own songs. When I finally did, on a whim, it was one of those ‘A-ha!’ mo- ments, and I was very emo- tional about it.” That epiphany led Wynn to study at the University of North Texas, where she took commercial album-making and songwriting classes. A result was “Grey,” her first song on her own. Wynn, who cites Gracie Abrams, Novo Amor and Bon Iver as inspirations, released her debut single “Father’s Day” in June 2023. “Since then, writing has become more of a constant and a way for me to process my wild emotions,” Wynn says. “Father’s Day” is gorgeous in its austerity — haunting piano, guitar and violin accompaniment floats underneath Wynn’s bruised, vulnerable vocals. It is, frankly, an incredibly polished first effort. What’s apparent in listening to Wynn’s output is that she’s absorbed the lessons of those she admires and synthesized them in a way wholly her own. Wynn has kept at it, partnering with Cameron Hayes and releasing new music, such as her most recent single, “Stop the Car,” a gently propulsive, acoustic ballad fu- eled by her arresting alto voice. The song would be right at home on any pop station in the world. She’s keenly aware of the artistic lineage from which she’s emerging. “Getting to say that I’m from North Texas is ultimately one of my favorite things when I describe myself as a musician,” Wynn says. “I’ve developed my artistry and career here, and it means the world to me to experience more opportunities in the grow- ing music scene. There are so many won- derful artists that have come from North Texas, such as Selena Gomez, Kelly Clark- son, Demi Lovato, Post Malone and so many more, and I am honored to be from an area where so many of these talented indi- viduals are from.” Wynn will appear at the House of Blues’ Cambridge Room on Jan. 17 and at the JAMBALOO festival at Club Dada on Feb. 2. She intends to release another single — “One of my favorite songs I’ve written,” she says — in January, and may re- lease more music later in 2025. “I’ve received so many kind messages from people that describe how my songs have touched them or helped them process experiences in their own lives,” Wynn says. “I’ve never experienced something like that before, but it makes me feel like I’m doing something right. All I want to do is help people feel heard. Each song I write comes from a place where I allowed my- self to feel heard. I think as humans we need that.” Sam Cormier M usic has been stitched into Sam Cormier’s life from his earliest days. The 25-year-old Dallas native started singing, as many promising pop stars before him, in a church choir, gradually accumulat- ing ability on other instruments, including the piano. Cormier was intuitive about the value of a good hook at a young age, sharing his thoughts on Sheryl Crow’s smash hit “Soak Up the Sun” with his preschool class: “What I would give to be a fly on the wall to hear what my 4-year-old self had to say about Crow’s bubblegum pop master- Photography by Andrew Sherman and Mike Brooks; graphic by Sarah Schumacher North Texas artists Gracen Wynn, Sam Cormier and Ella Red are stepping into the Dallas music spotlight. They will be grabbing your attention. of The Today Tomorrow Sound BY PRESTON JONES ▼ Music
