Grace Knight earned fame on the Australian music scene with her band the Eurogliders in the 1980s. She found another audience with a stunning acting and singing performance in the ABC drama ‘Come in Spinner’. The soundtrack of that series, which includes songs from Grace as well as Vince Jones, is still a staple in many Australian homes. Grace has been part of the Australian jazz scene ever since. She spoke to us life as a musician and being “unemployable”.
What kind of environment did you grow up in?
Stevenage, Hertfordshire (England) was a new town built after WWII to take the overspill from London. It was an Industrial town with rows upon rows of same council houses differentiated only by the curtains and front gardens. There were very many young families starting out, so plenty of kids to play with. We mostly played in our street which we christened with our bloodied noses and scraped knees.
Was music in your family and in your life from a child?
Music is in my DNA. With dad, grandpa and Nana all professional singers.
What were the early days like trying to break into the music industry?
The early days, like today (35 years later) were fantastic. Every gig I did was as if it were the last. I wrung out as much joy and satisfaction as I could out of every performance, then, if I did not ‘break’ into the music industry, I’d had a bloody great time regardless.
What kept you going when times were tough financially?
I was having a ball, doing what I loved.
What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?
Pool lifeguard, accounting at British Rail, paper round and Saturdays in a fish and chip shop….. I was greeted at 8.00a.m. with a wet sole in the face when I walked through the door, the rest of the day was spent retaliating 
)
Were you ever tempted to get a ‘real job’?
No, NEVER. I am unemployable.
Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?
I perceive my life as a fantastic ride, sometimes I think it’s about to stop and it’s time to get off, but that usually pans out to be the lull before the excitement.
How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?
I don’t have any routines, I used to when my son lived at home.
What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?
Respect, giving, encouraging others, finding real joy in the smallest of things.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?
Logic is something I am still trying to get a grasp of.
How many hours do you work in a typical working days?
I don’t have any such thing as a typical day.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
Something artistic that did not involve taking orders from a boss.
What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with?
I appreciate people who quietly get on with their job and take pride in what they are doing. Why are these qualities important to you? We are all parts of the whole, I cannot do my job properly without the other parts.
What do you do in your spare time?
Gardening.
Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?
People who create a product or service to fill a need.
Name your favourite website ?
Do you Twitter? No
Do you blog? No
If you were able to invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why?
My Dad, who passed away a few years ago. Because we’re good pals and I miss him.
Einstein, as a gift to my best friend Ray.
My best pal Ray, who’s a brilliant cook.
Do you have a favourite saying or mantra? If so, what is it?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
To see into the future.
What is the biggest challenge to mums today?
I believe there are a whole raft of challenges for Mums & Dads. Feeding, educating, clothing & forming respectful & loving relationships with their children.
What community organisations are you involved in? Why is that important?
I support individual projects, either raising funds or awareness. I have done this throughout my career because I can. It is important to me because it is a way of expressing my gratitude for the existence I have been able to create for myself.
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
