Artist Spotlight: Gaby K
Enter The Pit London's spotlight on Gaby K. With her debut EP 'Get To Love You,' Gaby K unveils a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Drawing inspiration from icons like Amy Winehouse, her soulful sound captivates with raw emotion. Explore her music, a blend of R&B, soul, and pop, igniting passion and resilience.
1. Your debut EP 'Get To Love You' showcases a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Can you tell us more about the themes and inspirations behind the songs on this EP?
Get To Love You really became my own journey of self-discovery and self-love. I found that I was losing myself, which sometimes happens when you fall in love, you can lose your own way and once I realised this was happening, I knew that to get back on track I had to lose that someone to find myself.
2. You've mentioned artists like Amy Winehouse, Jessie Reyez, and Amber Mark as your biggest inspirations. How do these influences manifest in your music, and what sets your sound apart?
I think from listening to Amy Winehouse throughout my life, her songs are so emotional, I wanted to be able to create a similar feel but obviously using my own personal life for the stories that I portray with my music and songwriting. Jessie Reyez and Amber Mark I came across only in the last few years and I just really resonate with the way they write their music and so took inspiration from them as well.
3. Your songwriting has been praised for its authenticity and storytelling. Can you walk us through your creative process when writing songs that delve into personal experiences like love and self-love?
I couldn’t say that I have a particular creative process when it comes to writing songs, I very much journal my thoughts out and through this basically compose my music. It is like my own little diary of songs.
4. "My Girls" seems to be a cornerstone of your EP. Could you share the story behind this track and its significance to you personally?
I love the track “ My Girls'. It made me realise how important it is to have that support circle around you. When I was going through my break up, I surrounded myself with the people I love and care for and it shows how much they can help you heal, even if it's just them being there and well, I wanted to write about them. ‘My Girls’ as I say can be anyone who loves you and who you love (its not just the girls), I just felt so lucky to experience that platonic love from the people who would stand by me through anything and I could not appreciate them anymore.
5. Your journey from Birmingham to London has seen you garner significant support, including from BBC Introducing. How has your background and upbringing influenced your music and your journey as an artist?
I have always loved music, it's always been a big part of my life, both my parents are into music and introduced me to a vast variety of music, from Aretha Franklin to ACDC. Each day is a different genre of music for me. I love how music can change your mood or even help you just be in your feels for that day. Loving all different types of music has really helped me understand just how much music has an impact on someone's life and even from learning to play the piano and appreciating music without lyrics, it is really is a core part of my life.
6. Your music promotes self-love and empowerment, particularly for women. How do you hope your songs resonate with your audience, and what message do you aim to convey through your music?
I want my audience to understand that they aren't alone in what they experience in life, if that's relationships, heartbreak, feeling alone or making mistakes etc. My message is that at the end of the day through all of this, you are never alone in these feelings and that you will be okay, you just gotta remember that the love for yourself is just as important as love from others.
7. Collaborations have played a significant role in your career, including supporting artists like Olivia Dean and Pip Millett. How have these experiences influenced your growth as an artist, and are there any dream collaborations you aspire to?
To be able to not only listen to other upcoming artists who are absolutely smashing it but to also have the experience of supporting them has been amazing. Both being women of colour, who in my eyes are artists to aspire to and being able to not only connect with them but with their fan base has been an unreal experience.
8. With your EP release and plans for new music on the horizon, what can fans expect from you in 2024? Are there any exciting projects or performances in the works?
I have a headline gig on March 14th at Bar Dona in Stoke Newington for my EP launch party, which I am very much looking forward to. I am already working on new music but I am really proud of this EP and want to bask in it for a while, performing and sharing it with as many people as I possibly can.
9. As you continue to evolve as an artist, how do you see your music evolving? Are there any genres or styles you're interested in exploring in the future?
My music has evolved a lot, I feel my songwriting has changed a lot throughout the years. I am learning a lot about myself, my sound and my style and what works for me. I think that this all just comes from experience and over time without even realising my music has slowly evolved. Recently I have been leaning more into the R&B side of the music which I love and grew up on and want to delve a little more into.
10. Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians, particularly those who are navigating their own journey of self-discovery and artistic expression?
Firstly perseverance is key. I think you definitely go through waves of doubt and you can become unsure of your ability but you need to just keep going. The highs will be amazing and worth going through the lows. Lastly, do not compare your journey to anyone elses and just enjoy the ride. This is your journey, so focus on that and if you need to compare, compare your past self to your present. See how far you have come because it won't seem like it but you have probably progressed and achieved so much more than you realise.