Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter grentperez continues his meteoric rise with the upcoming release of his debut album, Backflips in a Restaurant, set to drop on 28 March. Known for his genre-blending sound that fuses 70s soft rock, 2000s R&B, and indie-folk, he has already captivated millions, amassing over half a billion streams since his breakout in 2021.
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His latest single, 'Dandelion,' featuring Ruel, offers a heartfelt glimpse into his evolving artistry, pairing soulful harmonies with lush, nostalgic melodies.
In February, grentperez returned to Singapore for his third show in the city, performing at Mediacorp’s CLOUD 9: The Ultimate Music Festival. Sharing the stage with international acts like B.I, elijah woods, and Ivy Lee, he delivered an unforgettable set that further cemented his deep connection with his Southeast Asian fanbase. With Backflips in a Restaurant promising an eclectic mix of sounds and stories, we caught up with Grentperez to hear his thoughts on finally releasing his debut album.
So grentperez congratulations on this debut album coming up titled Backflips in a Restaurant. What’s the story behind this intriguing name?
I guess it started as a joke, but it quickly took on a deeper meaning. A restaurant, in a way, is a home to many different flavors—whether it’s flavors of food or, in this case, musical genres. You could think of every song on the album as part of a menu, each offering a different style and sound.
The contrast between a backflip and a restaurant also played a role in the title. A backflip is fast and chaotic, while a restaurant is calm and structured. It represents controlled chaos—an experiment, much like this album. Backflips in a Restaurant is a glimpse into the range of music I want to explore, a taste of what’s to come.
As a creative, I feel it’s my duty to experiment, to push boundaries, and to establish my roots before moving on to whatever comes next. This album is my way of doing just that.
With 'Dandelion' having already dropped, what was it like collaborating with RUEL on this track?
It was really cool collaborating with Ruel. We became friends over the past couple of years after first meeting at a festival, and over the last few months, we started hanging out more and more. When I was listening to ‘Dandelion,’ I felt like something was missing. I brought it up with my manager, who knew I had been friends with Ruel for a while, and he said, ‘You guys would sound great together.’
I agreed, but I wasn’t sure if he’d say yes. So I decided to just ask him, and to my surprise, he was all in—he said, ‘Hell yeah, I’d love to be part of this.’ He really liked the song, and I’m so glad because I think he truly completed it.
Imagine 'Dandelion' had to be remixed into a completely different genre—what would you choose and who would remix it?
I think 'Dandelion' has a lot of potential to fit into the dance world—it’s already almost there. If it had more of a four-on-the-floor beat and the vocals were a bit more ambient, it could easily transform into a great dance or house track. There’s definitely room for it to live in that space.
Were there any unexpected challenges or surprises while working on Backflips In a Restaurant?
I’d say the biggest challenge I’ve faced is staying true to the message I want to convey through my music. I often ask myself—does this music truly represent me, or is it just experimentation? There have been a lot of questions about identity, both as an artist and as a person, and I always want to make sure I’m not losing sight of who I am.
But at the same time, that challenge has made the process exciting. I’ve been able to explore different sides of my music that I never thought I’d enjoy, and that sense of discovery has been really rewarding.
You’ve been described as a Gen-Z artist with an old soul. How do you channel that balance in your music?
I think that sound definitely comes from my inspirations. I draw a lot of melodic influence from older artists like The Carpenters and Bread. Their melodies and lyrics have so much movement and expression, which I really admire. At the same time, the instrumental side of my music is more modern—more in the bedroom-pop space—which is where my own style really comes through.
With this debut album, though, I’ve been experimenting with blending those influences in a new way. That cutesy, lighthearted quality that some of my older songs had isn’t as front and center this time—it’s still there, but it’s more integrated into the overall sound.
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If you could only perform one of your songs forever, which one would it be and why?
Maybe 'My Heart It Beats for You.' That one feels like a timeless classic to me. Plus, it has the Tagalog verse at the end, which adds a special touch of home.
Touring across continents must have been exhausting yet exhilarating—what’s your ultimate tour survival hack?
It definitely helps to have a great team and crew around you, but I think the most important thing is being honest with yourself. You have to stop trying to please everyone all the time and really understand your own limits. If you’re tired, acknowledge it, take the time you need to rest, and remember that the people around you are there to support you. You’re never truly in it alone—and that mindset can make all the difference.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the rest of 2025?
I'm really excited to finally release this music. As simple as it sounds, I’ve been sitting on these songs for a while, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them. A lot of people are already familiar with some of the tracks because I’ve been teasing them for so long, so actually putting them out there will be a huge relief—and it’ll definitely make me happy.
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