Baby Cool is Mother— Literally. A Conversation on Parenthood in Music.
Baby Cool has already been consumed with contemplation in the earlier half of this year, by the time her latest odyssey revealed itself. Alongside releasing her sophomore record, Infinity Baby, Baby Cool is rejoicing in the delivery of her daughter, Violet.
PHOTOS BY LISA KELLY
Baby Cool, aka Grace Cuell, is an Australian artist whose mystical blend of psychedelia, folk and kraut-pop is music for the modern day mermaid. She ponders the human pursuit for purpose through softly delivered lyrics, turning headphones into conch shells held against ears.
In an interview with Pleaser, she chronicles the alignment of her roles within art and family, adding her thoughts on the industry taboos and lack of support for musicians in motherhood.
PLEASER: Aside from your work as a solo artist, you’re also one of five members of the psych-rock band, Nice Biscuit. And you recently added a new position as a mother! Do each of these outfits serve a different function for you creatively?
Baby Cool: Yes! Nice Biscuit has always been the most collaboratively creative thing in my life. For me, that project is about making cool things with my best friends and keeping things as light as possible. It has given me so much creatively over the years, through sewing the costumes and writing lyrics with my co-frontwoman, Billie Star.
Venturing out as Baby Cool was a chance for me to sing about things that were really personal to me. It’s almost like sharing my journal. There is still so much collaboration in this project, but I’m directing the ship.
Motherhood is keeping me so present and alert to the world around me. It’s like my ability to daydream is on pause and instead I’m seeing magic in the physical world— my daughter’s reactions to it, the trees, the breeze, and anything directly in front of me.
I am also a high school visual arts teacher— gratefully on maternity leave at the moment. I love observing my students make creative decisions and make the most amazing things in real time.
When you first found out you were expecting, did you have any fear of how it may impact your career?
BC: Sadly, I felt as though I had to hide it if I wanted to keep going with music, and I think it’s quite telling of how we value motherhood as a society. Now I see the insanity in that feeling, and recognise that mothers deserve and need to be seen in popular culture.
Of course, remaining active and touring with a little one will look different. But it’s wild that even for a second I believed it might all be over?! I’m sure other mothers-to-be have grappled with this fear, especially if they are working musicians.
More pregnant bellies on stage! More breastfeeding in the green room! And more all-ages shows!
I think the industry needs to grow up and accommodate and celebrate motherhood for all of its messiness and beauty.
What kind of sacrifices have you had to make so far, if any, as a new mother during an album rollout?
BC: I don’t feel like I’ve had to sacrifice much, and that has been an intentional choice available to me because I lean on my community of friends so much.
The most extraordinary and unexpected thing happened during this roll out — I stopped caring! I don’t mean that to be disrespectful or ungrateful, obviously I’m stoked to be in a position to release a record in the current climate. Having my focus shift to the needs of my daughter has put into perspective what kinds of things I should be losing sleep over. I hope people enjoy the record, but I don’t feel attached to any outcome. That is the most liberating feeling.
How have you been introducing music to Violet? Has she heard the new record?
BC: As soon as Violet was born, we had Angel Olsen’s “Big Time” playing in the birthing suite. I like to play her music while I am feeding her and while we are just hanging about. I want her to look back on her childhood and remember music, I think it’s so important. And I have played her the new record…I think she is a fan.
Have you felt called in any new directions of sound or storytelling in motherhood, perhaps in comparison to when you were writing Infinity Baby?
BC: Aside from maybe wanting to write an album of lullabies…I feel like my writing process for Baby Cool is always contemplating the big emotions in my life. I suspect these emotions will grow and change, and as I experience new things, I’ll have more I will need to write about. Infinity Baby contemplates the human pursuit for meaning, and all of the feelings that shroud it.
PHOTOS BY LISA KELLY
Are there any songs or themes you feel differently about in this new chapter of your life vs. when you wrote them?
BC: The album was already recorded when I found out I was expecting. It’s so interesting how some of the songs shifted in meaning as I was entering a new phase of life.
The song, “Otherside,” is about taking a leap into the unknown and embracing the excitement of change. This took on a new meaning for me while I was pregnant and anticipating the process of giving birth. It became a sort of mantra when the anticipation started to turn into anxiety.
The first single on this record, “Everything,” questions, “Are my feet on the ground?” In the present moment, do you feel like you’ve got your feet on the ground?
BC: I honestly feel like I have no option but to be present with my daughter. If I drift away even for a second she brings me right back and I am so grateful for this. I have never had my feet so firmly on the ground and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Do you think that the music industry offers adequate support and accommodations for parents? If not, what changes or additions would you like to see?
BC: I think it all starts with visibility. Motherhood/parenthood needs to be celebrated and recognised as a beautiful and extremely important part of the human experience, and an integral part of our functioning society. This recognition could lead to more accommodating practices across all industries. I think the biggest improvement could come from our government in supporting parents to not have to work for at least the first year.
—
Infinity Baby has been ours to behold since June 5, 2026, you can stream it wherever you source your music. There are no upcoming tour dates announced for Baby Cool, as she is savoring time with Violet and her family, but check back in on Instagram @babycool.music for future shows and experiences.
