Who Is Songstress Gaby Paul?!
I got tuned into Gaby Paul via her new single Bedroom Velvet which hit my inbox right before Christmas and being on the hunt for something fresh to clear my palette after a year of…well you know, sameness…I decided to take it for a spin. What I caught hold of is an artist that is authentic in delivery, nuanced and smooth. The single probably won’t put her at the top of Billboard but the promise is there as one whom we might be talking about for years to come. It was a great introduction and so of course I wanted to know more about her journey, what’s she’s looking to bring to music and how connecting with fans makes her feel as regards the impact of her music. Check out the song below and then take a peek at her official backstory:
Back Story: When Gaby Paul was just a child she attended the MacPhail Center For Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She took lessons from well-known Jazz vocalist Vicky Mountain. She branched out during this time, by auditioning and joining the MacPhail Musical Theatre Program. It was there where she began performing in the genres of Opera and Musical Theater at the tender age of 14, being the youngest singer in the shows. The techniques of classical singing gave her the additional skill to strengthen her stage presence. While attending performance labs at The Guthrie and The Chanhassen Dinner Theater, she was also active in her school choir, often singing solos. She participated in various vocal competitions and won with superior ratings. Upon graduation from high school, she then moved to Arizona. It was there where she enrolled at Arizona State University while teaching voice lessons and working in radio. She collaborated with Jazz frontman of Count Bassie, Dennis Rowland, and local Jazz pianist Charles Lewis. Paul likes to infuse her own sultry style into her music, while still having it firmly grounded in Soul. Gaby Paul is a professional vocalist and songwriter, continuing to use her creativity to experiment with different sounds.
The Hype Magazine got Gaby to weigh in on a few things
From the inside looking out, who is the artist Gaby Paul?
I’m just someone who has had a lot of different experiences in life. I tend to write about my life instead of talking about it. I feel as though I can open up more and be vulnerable in a creative realm rather than in a social aspect.
What was the defining moment that brought you to the music industry?
Once I started voice lessons and performing as a teen, I met older musicians in the industry who were like mentors to me. I started networking from there and met my producer not too long afterwards.
What’s the most satisfying to you about making music?
The most satisfying thing to me about writing music would have to be the fact that I can express my emotions in a productive way. Writing never felt like work to me. It just became a way of survival.
You have stories that connect with others who share similar feelings or experiences. How do you feel when your audience reaches back to share what your music does to them or for them?
It makes me feel very connected to my audience knowing they resonate with my work. I’ve had so many people tell me how my lyrics have made them feel closer to their romantic partner or it has spoken to them in a way that they couldn’t say themselves. I personally appreciate it when people tell me their stories and how they relate to my lyrics on a deeper level.
Tell us a bit about your last offering, Bedroom Velvet. What’s the story behind that?
I wrote Bedroom Velvet about a friend who is a pianist. I used to date him years ago. I was thinking about the past, like I usually do. I found myself nostalgic about the old times we shared together. So, I started writing from my memory. The song was finished in under an hour. It seemed like the song pretty much wrote itself.
After getting this last cut off your chest, what are your musical goals?
I want to release albums on vinyl in the near future. I have my first album pretty much half-written by now and I look forward to presenting fresh sounds as well as more lyrical stories from my past.
Who’s on your bucket list to collaborate with?
I’d die to team up with some R&B/Hip Hop artists like Kid Cudi or PARTYNEXTDOOR. I would also like to work with bands such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Hiatus Kaiyote. I’m a fan of some soulful vocals on a hook and I envision our ideas having the potential to melodically work together very well.
I actually just collaborated with Emmett LaFave on a song he wrote titled ‘Blinds’. We recorded the piece today. We will have a video of it out on YouTube soon! It’s been on my bucket list to collaborate with him and now it’s finally been accomplished.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
My other passions outside of music would first be writing just in general. I enjoy storytelling through poetry. I’m also inspired by photography and expressing myself through visual aesthetics. This is explained on why I am creatively influenced by the artistic production of cinema and movie scoring. My other interests include psychology, mysteries and true crime. I love learning, researching and analyzing human behavior. I think understanding human nature and figuring out why we do the things we do is fascinating. The mind is one hell of a place.
Where would we find you if you aren’t in the studio or a writing session?
You’d find me trying to skip town and having a party either with friends or by myself in the desert.
What’s the most important thing you feel we should know about the artist Gaby Paul?
There are so many things about my life I have yet to tell the story on. My story isn’t over and the narrative you’ve heard hasn’t even gotten started.
Where can we find you online?
My music is on all streaming services.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
