By Dakota Parks for Inweekly
Laura Jane Grace isn’t just a punk icon; she’s a revolutionary voice in music and beyond. As the fierce and unapologetic frontwoman of Against Me!, Grace has consistently defied norms, breaking barriers as one of the most influential trans artists in punk rock. With a career spanning over two decades, her music has inspired multiple generations of fans.
Her new EP, “Give an Inch,” drops on the same day as her much-anticipated performance in Pensacola, where Grace continues to push the boundaries of punk with raw emotion and unfiltered storytelling. The following day, the 309 Punk House will host the Pensacola Underground A-Z Archival Exhibition, featuring Against Me! memorabilia and more than 400 other treasures from the 309 Punk Archive.
Ahead of that performance, Grace sat down to discuss her songwriting process, evolution as an artist and role as an advocate for change in the punk scene and beyond.
INWEEKLY: How has this tour been for you so far? I’m also curious—how does touring now compare to when you first started playing music at 17?
LJG: It’s been a packed schedule. I spent March and May on the road, July in Athens recording a record on a fellowship with the Onassis Foundation, and now I’m home in Chicago before spending all of September on the road then heading to Europe in November. I’ve definitely gotten better at touring over the years. I almost have regrets from my early tours because I didn’t fully appreciate all the amazing places I visited. It’s like I only saw the inside of venues, hotels and vans. Partying was a big part of it too. But as I got older, I started running during tours, which completely changed how I experience cities.
INWEEKLY: How has your songwriting process evolved over the years? Do you have any specific rituals?
LJG: There’s definitely something to be said for the naivety of early songwriting. Back then, I didn’t know what I was doing—sometimes I was even rebelling against music theory. But as you get older, you learn the rules, like what a chorus or bridge is, and you start to see songwriting differently. Now, I have a more thought-out methodology, though I still appreciate the spontaneity of those early days. It’s like learning to see the forest through the trees, then realizing there is no forest, and finally seeing the trees again.
INWEEKLY: How does journaling and automatic writing fit into your process?
LJG: I started journaling at a young age, and it’s become a crucial part of my writing process. I can only spend so many hours a day focused on lyrical writing, so journaling helps keep me writing. I strongly believe in the idea of morning pages from “The Artist’s Way,” where you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness every morning. That’s how I ended up writing a memoir back in 2016. I had a decade of journals becoming a storage problem. I really enjoy automatic writing—it’s like letting the song reveal itself to you. It keeps the meaning fluid, allowing the song to evolve as you do. Though I’ve had moments where I consciously set out to write about something specific, it’s just harder to achieve.
INWEEKLY: Do you have a favorite song on your new album “Hole In My Head?” LJG: The title track is a favorite, which is why it became the title track. I also love “Punk Rock in Basements” and “Lovebirds.” “Lovebirds” was written during a day in Amsterdam and a tattoo experience—plus it’s just a fun song to play on guitar. “Mercenaries” is another favorite. I love when songs start on an acoustic guitar and then build from there.
INWEEKLY: I’m curious about the inspiration behind the last track on the album, “Give Up The Ghost.” Can you tell us more about that song?
LJG: There’s this geographic phenomenon in Tulsa, Oklahoma that’s referred to as the center of the universe, where if you stand in a specific spot and scream or talk loudly, your voice comes back to you in this crazy way that only you can hear. I visited after a show at the Woody Guthrie Center in 2022 and spent some time there screaming my head off. The song came out of that experience. We tried to record it, but the effect only works if you’re standing in the center. If you’re ever in Tulsa, I highly recommend checking it out.
INWEEKLY: Your music has deeply resonated with fans, especially within the trans and queer communities. How do you feel your role as a musician and public figure has evolved in terms of advocacy and representation?
LJG: That’s been one of the coolest things. Against Me! has been around long enough to have multiple generations of fans. Some people were with us from the beginning, drifted away, and then reconnected after I came out. It’s always amazing to meet people who tell me that my coming out helped them come out too. It validates that feeling of writing from a place of loneliness, trying to connect with anyone who’s listening. But it goes both ways—when I was struggling with coming out, it was actually a fan that helped push me forward. I’m really thankful for that.
INWEEKLY: On that same note, what has it been like witnessing the surge of openly queer and trans musicians thriving across all genres? Pensacola has seen a rise of queer punk bands and musicians.
LJG: It feels like being part of something bigger. Pensacola has always had such a rad scene, and I’m really looking forward to coming back. My first time there, I hung out with This Bike is a Pipe Bomb folks, David Dondero and Aaron Cometbus. I hear Aaron will be in town again too, which is exciting. I’m hoping to make it out to the 309 Punk House while I’m there.
INWEEKLY: What’s currently on your playlist? Any songs or artists you’re obsessed with at the moment?
LJG: Oh man, that question always makes my mind go blank. But lately, I’ve been really into the new Jack White album. I’ve got two shows coming up in September with the band Catbite, where we’re covering all Operation Ivy songs, so I’ve been listening to a lot of them. I’ve also been into BODEGA from Brooklyn—they’ve got some of the coolest stuff happening in punk right now. Viagra Boys have also been on repeat, especially while we were recording in Greece. I’ve also been rediscovering the Beatsteaks, a German punk band. They have such a brilliant catalog, and it’s been like binge-watching a great TV show—just diving back into all their albums.
INWEEKLY: What can fans look forward to after this tour? Any updates on an Against Me! reunion?
LJG: It’s a bit chaotic right now, honestly. We’ve got the EP, “Give an Inch,” coming out on Sept. 6 with my wife, Paris, and Matt and Mikey—we’re the Mississippi Medicals. Then there’s a record I recorded in Athens with a different band, which we’ll tour with in Europe in November. So, there’s a lot going on, but it’s all good problems to have. I hope we can do something with Against Me! soon. I sent James an email about 15 minutes ago about some shows, so we’ll see if we can make it happen. The pandemic really put a halt to things, and we haven’t seen each other since, but I’m hopeful.
INWEEKLY: If you could instantly become an expert in any non-musical skill or hobby, what would it be and why?
LJG: I’ve always wanted to be that person who can quote long passages from books or poetry. I love reading, but I feel like I devour books and then can’t retain much. It’d be cool to be that pretentious person who can just whip out a quote whenever.
Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals
What: Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals live, with support from Catbite and Taylor Hollingsworth
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6
Where: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St.
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Details: laurajanegrace.com, thehandlebar850.com