Interview: Gaby Paul

1: What inspires you to create? 

I create because I’m constantly inspired by my relationships, my moods and telling my story in a way where I can be an “open book” just through my music. 

2: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a creative profession? 

I would tell them to find what about their art makes them unique and to make it your strength. Know what makes you distinct from other artists and really use that to your advantage. 

3: Do you feel open minded about what you listen to? Do you like going out of your comfort zone? 

I try to expand my mind and listen to different genres of music as much as I can. There are certain genres that I naturally gravitate to like R&B, Trip-Hop, Indie etc. but I keep my options open. 

3: What outlets do you find out about music from? (Record stores, magazines, samplers, etc)

I find my music from magazines, blogs, social media and record stores. It’s also usually because a friend recommended an artist to me and I check them out. 

4: What is your favorite format to listen to music on? (CD, Vinyl, etc.)

I love the sound of vinyl crackles and pops from the record player dust. I think it adds a sound of nostalgia that is irreplaceable and I love sound “flaws” like that. 

5: What band/artist do you think everyone should listen to? 

I think everyone should listen to Amy Winehouse because no one sings like she does anymore. Her voice has soul and she kept the blues alive. Her substance abuse struggles and all of the things she went through while she was living, I felt like most people like myself could relate to deeply. I miss having an artist like her around because no one really sings like her anymore. 

6: What motivates you to check out a new artist?

I like to hear all the new sounds artists are using for their music. I also like keeping my mind open, visually. I’m drawn to how a person expresses themselves aesthetically and style-wise. 

7: Who was the first band/artist that became your favorite? 

I would say when I was a kid I loved Aretha Franklin, the Queen of soul. Then when I got older into my pre-teens to teenage years my style really changed. I was a very moody teenager so my music tastes were psychedelic music from the 1960’s/70’s, Indie music like Bon Iver to more “sad girl” dream Pop like Lana Del Rey as well. 

8: What was the inspiration for your song “Untruly”? 

I wrote “Untruly” about one person. This person doesn’t know the song is about them. They were never truly mine and I was never truly there’s because we never committed. I wrote the song over the course of 2 months. I kept going back to it and I’m very satisfied with how it sounds. I think it tells the story with pure honesty through the lyrics and sonically.