About this song

Written from a place of grief and deep empathy, Sally Grayson’s new single “The Empty Place” is a cinematic and haunting tribute to the suffering of Palestinians. Blending intimate, close-mic vocals with walls of atmospheric, distorted guitars and mournful synths, the song evokes the emotional weight of loss and displacement with raw beauty.

Recorded at Mystery Train Studios in Stuttgart, Germany, the track features producer Markus Birkle (Die Fantastischen Vier) on guitar and synths, and David Arzt on additional guitar and drums. The song was mixed by Gabriel Sullivan (XIXA, Giant Sand) at Dust & Stone Studio in Tucson, Arizona, whose touch adds depth and desert grit to the track’s moody soundscape.

“The Empty Place” is both a lament and a call for empathy. Its mournful textures echo the influence of artists like Beth Gibbons and Low, while its message offers solidarity with those facing violence and exile.

In conjunction with the release, Grayson has launched a fundraiser supporting Watermelon Sisters, a Chicago-based grassroots organization working to uplift Palestinian voices and provide aid on the ground. Fans can access a free download of the song this week by pre-saving it on Spotify or joining her Patreon.

Sally Grayson Artist Bio

Sally Grayson is a cinematic, soul-stirring songwriter and visual artist whose work merges haunting soundscapes with a fierce commitment to justice, empathy, and beauty. Based between Germany and the U.S., she creates emotionally raw and visually rich art that resonates across borders. Her music — often described as mystical western gothic with elements of slowcore and Americana — blends intimate vocals with atmospheric synths, noisy electric guitars, and poetic storytelling. Fans of Beth Gibbons, Low, and Chelsea Wolfe will find a kindred spirit in Grayson.

Her 2023 album The Darkness in Me, recorded in Tucson, Arizona with Gabriel Sullivan (XIXA, Giant Sand) and featuring musicians like Winston Watson (Bob Dylan) and members of Calexico, marked a pivotal moment in her sound: spaghetti western meets post-punk with lush, cinematic arrangements. Each track was paired with a handmade vinyl-sized artwork, underscoring Grayson’s commitment to a fully immersive experience.

A long-time advocate for justice and equality, Grayson’s upcoming single “The Empty Place” (out April 12) is a deeply emotional lament written in grief and empathy for Palestinians. Featuring a mournful, ethereal choir and haunting guitar textures, it honors love lost in the rubble of violence and displacement. The song was recorded at Mystery Train Studios in Stuttgart, Germany with producer Markus Birkle (Die Fantastischen Vier) and David Arzt, then mixed by Gabriel Sullivan at Dust & Stone Studio in Tucson.

Sally has toured extensively across Europe and the U.S., performed on The Voice of Germany, TEDx , and released six albums across multiple projects including her band Black Swift. Her work has been featured on MTV Germany, the cover of a Berlin-based magazine, and in numerous press outlets. She continues to use her voice and vision to spark dialogue, invite empathy, and inspire change.