As GAYLE sat throughout from this author consuming chocolate-covered almonds on Zoom, it was exhausting to do not forget that she was simply 18 years previous.
Though she could appear younger, the alt-pop singer has already lived a lifetime in music trade years. GAYLE, the up-and-coming singer behind the viral sensation “abcdefu,” was propelled into music at 10 with the help of her mom-ager, Brandy Barnes. After an adolescence crammed with the blues stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, her journey started in Nashville’s singer-songwriter circuit beneath the title Taylor Gayle. She grew a hefty fanbase at solely 11 years previous, debuting her first EP, Fly Away, in 2016. However GAYLE isn’t the identical naive younger woman singing about “Elementary Love,” and he or she’s not afraid to push the boundaries on the subject of intercourse, medicine and rock ‘n’ roll.
Learn extra: Miya Folick on collaborating with Mitski, reflecting on the previous and her new EP 2007
Her new EP, a examine of the human expertise quantity two, finds the 17-year-old navigating her personal coming-of-age story whereas balancing Hollywood’s cliches. Between poisonous relationships, trauma and determining who you’re, the EP leans into the depth and emotionality of rising into maturity. GAYLE joined AP on Zoom to debate the mission and her journey with songwriting within the face of web fame.
I used to be studying by way of your historical past within the music trade, and it looks as if you began fairly younger. Are you able to speak about a few of the music that formed you?
My mother stated I began singing at 7 years previous, after which we moved to Nashville round 12 [to pursue music]. On the time, I used to be raised on Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton and different soulful jazz icons. I didn’t actually begin listening to various music till round 15 years previous. It wasn’t till the [COVID-19] lockdown that I began to find different kinds, like Zedd and the Chainsmokers. It’s virtually embarrassing to confess that it took that lengthy, however across the similar time, I watched Virtually Well-known, and it actually caught with me. There’s a scene that exhibits a membership filled with folks for a rock present — and it was after stay performances had stopped for a very long time. I noticed how inspiring that vitality was to folks, and I knew I needed to channel that depth into my work. After that, I simply began discovering extra powerhouse girls in rock like Alanis Morissette, Blondie, Pat Benatar and Sheryl Crow.
Inform me if my math is off, however you additionally began releasing songs in 2020. So, you have been 15 or 16? What was it like producing your personal singles whereas in highschool?
I used to be homeschooled by way of center and highschool. So, it was a bit simpler since I had my very own hours. The one motivator I needed to end [school] was realizing that it meant I might deal with music. I used to be a bit luckier with COVID since we didn’t need to transition to on-line faculty, which additionally meant I used to be in a position to decide up additional courses and graduate early. However self-producing whereas [being so young] was intimidating as a result of I didn’t at all times know the right way to talk with different trade folks. I might go right into a state of affairs realizing what I wished, however would not know the right way to convey it, particularly with professionals that had been producing music for years.
Is there any secret SoundCloud music?
I used to go by Taylor Gayle, and I had a seven-song mission come out once I was 12. I believe I wrote all the songs once I turned 11, so it undoubtedly had extra nation inspirations. It was like a mix of pop, nation and soul. I pulled that off the web fairly a bit in the past, however I wouldn’t be stunned if one thing popped up sooner or later.
Your new EP doesn’t essentially sound like “abcdefu.” Who do you assume your viewers is, and extra so who would you prefer it to be?
I got here to the conclusion that I can’t notably management who’s going to love my music and who’s going to stay round for extra. As an alternative, I’m simply specializing in increasing my sound and transferring, whether or not it’s ahead or backward. I’m simply making an attempt my finest to not keep stagnant.
You kind of spell it out in “indieedgycool,” however is that extra of a tongue-in-cheek joke?
Loads of that tune isn’t coming from my very own perspective. It’s mainly coming from the aftermath of “abc”’s success, the place I used to be actually experiencing folks with huge personalities and opinions on the web. I might discover folks that talked about their opinion on music as if it have been truth and purposely attempt to battle with folks or be offensive. However, on the similar time, I knew the place they have been coming from as a result of I used to care a lot about being perceived as cool, particularly once I was youthful. The tune’s a response to those personas I’ve placed on and that I see so usually on the web. Among the lyrics don’t even make sense in actuality, and that’s how I really feel about a few of the issues I learn on-line. It’s undoubtedly extra ironic and sarcastic.
This EP actually leans extra towards deeper, extra emotional lyricism. As you develop as an artist, the place do you see your music going?
My greatest purpose and motivation is the liberty to do no matter I would like. In three to 5 years, I’d actually similar to to make the music that I would like, collaborate with the folks that I like and carry out stay exhibits that I may be pleased with, and hopefully have folks like that, too. I need to constantly discover new methods to be in music and push myself to develop as an artist sonically and creatively. I need to increase how I’m perceived as GAYLE, and perhaps meaning taking it exterior the confines of music, however for now, music is my complete life.
Who can be your dream collab?
My dream collab — which I used to be simply interested by — can be Travis Barker, Machine Gun Kelly and Avril Lavigne on one tune. However that will be probably the most ridiculous factor ever. I believe the universe would explode and the Matrix would collapse. Working with any of them can be an precise dream.
There’s a throughline in your EP about being delicate, however you speak about how different folks understand it in a detrimental mild. Are you able to speak about processing your feelings, particularly by way of songwriting?
I don’t react to issues instantly. I take my time to totally course of one thing, which may result in a variety of confusion and miscommunication. I’m very protecting of the folks I really like, however I don’t actually love myself. So, I don’t at all times do the most effective job of defending my emotions and respecting them on the similar time. I’m actually susceptible to bottling up my emotions, after which after each little factor bubbles up, folks assume I’m delicate. I’m an overthinker, which is why it’s really easy to show to music as an outlet for all of those emotions.
What would you want folks to remove from this mission?
The largest factor is knowing that I’m simply someone that likes making music. I speak about my private experiences and concerning the issues which might be taking place in my life. If you wish to hear that, and if you wish to be with me in these moments and mission your personal experiences onto my songs, I’d actually love that. However on the finish of the day, I’m simply one other individual that lives my life and loves music. I’m making an attempt my finest each day. I’m not making an attempt to be the best factor on the earth. I’m simply making an attempt to do the issues that I like, and hope perhaps you could possibly prefer it, too.
