We sat down with the “Bedroom Velvet” singer to talk about the single, her inspirations, and what drives the ethereal sounds of Gaby Paul.
Bridge: What gave you the inspiration for your single Bedroom Velvet?
GP: I first thought of the concept of ‘Bedroom Velvet’ when I was listening to my friend’s music he had written. He was playing the piano in my room and as he was singing I thought his voice sounded just like velvet. That’s how the whole idea was born.
Bridge: Such a beautiful picture! What did your songwriting process look like bringing the idea for the song to life?
GP: I started off with some lyrics about my friend who is also a musician and has been in my life for years. I tried to put together as much visual memory as I could to display exactly how I felt in our musical environment. Then the vocal melodies stringed along together naturally. I finished writing this song in under an hour and I felt very content with what it portrayed.
Bridge: What artists have you been listening to recently?
GP: I’ve been listening to Summer Walker’s new album, Emmett LaFave and Brent Faiyaz.
Bridge: What inspires your creativity?
GP: I’m a visual person so a lot of times I get motivated to create from how I analyze a certain setting in my mind. A lot of the people in my life I find are inspiring. They don’t live by anyone else’s rules but their own and I’ve always felt comfortable drawing inspiration from our times together.
Bridge: What can we expect from you in the next few months?
GP: I have two upcoming songs in the works, currently. I’m sticking to an atmospheric approach sonically and embracing my femininity in these songs. There’s always more projects to come.
Bridge: Love it! And where does your aesthetic come from?
GP: I’ve always been fascinated with the past and since I write about my past mostly, I think photos on film is a perfect way to show the look of a memory and why I even write in the first place. I was born in Arizona and I have some of my happiest memories in the desert so I try to keep it alive.
Bridge: Do you feel like there’s pressure for artists to always be releasing content?
GP: There’s always pressure to release content but I think people know that I like to spend my time putting together something I’ll be proud of. But I always appreciate the kind words and motivation from the supporters of my work.
Bridge: Do you have any songwriting rituals?
GP: No real writing rituals, other than I prefer to be alone when I write. I usually don’t like having people around when I’m first starting a song but I do feel comfortable with my producer when experimenting with melodies and different sounds in the studio.
Bridge: Speaking of your producer, what is the recording process like for you in the studio?
GP: I’ll usually come into the studio with an idea in my head of how the majority of the song will play out. Then my producer, Kris Muhly, and I fill in the missing pieces as we go on recording my vocals and the instrumentals.
Bridge: Any artists that you have a collaboration coming up with?
GP: Emmett LaFave and I actually have a collaboration we’ve performed together called “Blinds”. It should be out soon or by the time this interview is published.
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