Time has a way of quietly reshaping perspective. For Jamie Grey, that shift has been gradual rather than sudden, informed by family life, growing responsibilities, and a deeper awareness of the passing years. His latest work, How Did We Get To Midnight, captures that feeling with a sense of honesty that feels both personal and widely relatable.

In this conversation with FAULT Magazine, Grey reflects on vulnerability in his vocals, the importance of balance, and why stripping things back—both in the studio and on stage—has allowed him to reconnect with what matters most.

FAULT Magazine: You’ve said How Did We Get To Midnight reflects a new awareness of time passing. Was there a specific moment when this hit you, or is it something that’s been building over time?

Jamie Grey: I think for me it’s been building over time. It’s probably a natural thing when you hit your mid-30s, to be honest, as life typically starts to change. I have kids now, my parents are older, and time has been something that’s more at the forefront of my mind than ever before.

FAULT Magazine: Was there any change to your writing process on How Did We Get To Midnight compared to your previous work?

Jamie Grey: No, it was the same as always. I write best when I have a pressing feeling on my mind or something sitting heavy on my heart.

FAULT Magazine: Your vocal on this feels quite exposed. Did that vulnerability come easily, or was it something you had to lean into?

Jamie Grey: I actually prefer when my vocals are exposed. I feel like that’s where I can really shine in conveying the emotion I’m feeling at the time. To me, vulnerability is honesty, and I always want people to hear that in my voice.

FAULT Magazine: You’ve spoken about trying to be more present. What does that look like for you day to day?

Jamie Grey: Over the past couple of years, I’ve tried to understand that being a musician is my job—it doesn’t have to be my entire personality. For a while, because I love making music so much, I thought I constantly needed to be consumed by it to be successful. As a result, other beauties in life were passing me by. With maturity, I’ve learned that I need balance to make good music anyway. Family is the most important thing in the world, and I see that now.

FAULT Magazine: Is there a big difference in your process when writing for yourself compared to writing for other artists?

Jamie Grey: I’d say it comes down to personal taste. I like to be quite literal when I write songs—I just tell you how I feel. I usually say it as it is. The more metaphorical, poetic side of lyric writing is something I do love, but I usually need to be working with someone else to tap into that.

FAULT Magazine: You’re heading out on tour in October. How much does performing live influence you during the writing process?

Jamie Grey: It depends. If I’m doing a solo acoustic tour like I am in October, it doesn’t influence me at all. I write what comes out and then think about making it work live later. That said, when I’ve toured with a band, I’ve made more of an effort in the studio to write songs with different tempos and energies. I always want my set to feel dynamic, with peaks and troughs.

FAULT Magazine: You’ve described the upcoming tour as more raw and direct. What does that setting allow you to explore that a bigger production might not?

Jamie Grey: It allows for a more up-close and personal experience. Since I was a teenager, I’ve written songs alone in my bedroom with an acoustic guitar. My whole musical education happened there—just me and the guitar. So when you see me perform like that, it feels natural and probably showcases me at my best.

FAULT Magazine: How do you maintain that intimacy when performing to larger audiences?

Jamie Grey: I hope the songs and my vocal do that for me. My songs are typically quite deep, and I like to use the range in my voice to keep things dynamically interesting.

FAULT Magazine: When people leave your shows, what do you hope stays with them?

Jamie Grey: I hope they feel heard and understood. The best feedback for me is when someone says a song helped them through something or that it felt like I was singing about their life. I want connection and community through my music.

FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?

Jamie Grey: Where do I start? I have many. Actually, come to think of it, the fact that I’m saying I have many is probably my biggest one. People close to me constantly tell me how overly critical I am of myself. I’m not sure why or where it comes from, but I usually feel like I should have done more—performed better, worked harder. I often wonder if someone else is outworking me. That kind of thing.