This past week I had the immense pleasure to interview an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. Her name is Devon Gabriella, and I am absolutely so certain that you are going to love her! We had the opportunity to sit down and chat via video call.
Shae: Hi Devon! Itās so nice to finally meet you!
Devon Gabriella: Itās so nice to meet you too!
S: I have been looking forward to this since we set this up, so why donāt we just jump right into it?
DG: Sounds good!
S: So my first question for you is: what got you started in music?
DG: Ooh, good question. I have to reflect on this because I canāt really remember any distinct point where I was like āoh, this is what I want to doā. I think itās just one of those things, as clichĆ© as it sounds. Itās just always beenā¦[something] ingrained in me that I wanted to do this kind of stuff. But Iād say tangibly, the first time I got started was when I was like three or four. My dad is pretty musically inclined, and we would sing some little jingles on the piano together. I also grew up singing in a little trio with my friend and my twin sister and we performed at local talent shows. Then when social media came along, I was like āwell, weāre gonna do this routeā. So thereās a lot of different factors in [why I do music] but there never really was one moment. And thatās when I, when Iām asked this question, why I think itās hard because itās like I wish I had that one moment where I was like āwoah, yeah this is what I want to do!ā, but it also reinforces how passionate about it I am because I canāt remember a time where I didnāt want to do it.
S: Itās so amazing that you can pick out those little small moments where you just remember doing it so distinctly but also, itās just always with you.
DG: Yeah, itās just something Iāve never questioned, eitherā¦if I were to [do something else] I wouldnāt be living authentically.
S: How would you describe your music?
DG: Iād say itās pretty specific. Iād say itās raw, and Iād say itās a story. I like to make music where from the beginning of the song, you get an introduction to what itās about and by the end of it, you went through the whole arc. Thereās also something really powerful about kind of letting it stop where there isnāt an ending; thatās kind of a lot of things in life, like, you donāt get that perfect resolution. Smaller things [Iād use to describe my music] would be sad, but itās changing very soon! The theme isnāt really changing, but I am really trying to move more into acoustic pop.
There’s also something really powerful about kind of letting it stop where there isn’t an ending…
S: I remember first listening to your music, and the first song I heard was āa little hope never hurtā and I remember immediately thinking āoh, itās very early-Taylor Swift meets Olivia Rodrigoā.
DG: Very that, yeah. I definitely notice I draw inspiration from other people. I do try to keep it, you know, very real to me, but I think there is a way to tastefully take other songwriterās approaches when they come to writing about what they wanna say. I was with someone earlier today and they also said I sound just like Olivia Rodrigo, which is hard sometimes, because Iāve just always sounded this way and I canāt control how my voice sounds. But itās a huge compliment when someone compares me to songwriters like that.
S: Speaking of that, who or what would you consider to be your biggest inspirations for your music?
DG: I would say āwhoāā¦I listen to a lot of Gracie Abrams. I think sheās super talented and she is lyrically very inspirational to me. Lizzy McAlpine has also become a huge inspiration of mine. She is probably one of the, if not the, most talented singer-songwriters out there in my āverse of up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Iāve also been listening to a lot of Sabina Carpenter as well, so itās like I want to make music that I want to listen to or put on as well. I also [get inspired] by past experiences, but I also think there is something really cool about using your imagination and putting yourself in a situation youāve never been in. I also pull inspiration from my relationships or my friendās relationships and things theyāve told me or Iāve seen online and putting it into music.
S: Speaking of putting things into song, into music, what would you consider to be the most important elements you include in your music?
DG: Oh, I love this question! I think that after having moved to LA and having collaborated with some other songwriters, Iāve realized how important lyrics or staying true to what you want to say [is to have in my music]. When youāre in a room full of songwriters, thereās all these different individuals with different experiences and styles or writing, so I think lyrics first and foremost I want to be able to listen [back on it] and not go āooh, why did I say that?ā. I think also keeping a similar sound is important. Like, for me, I wouldnāt feel comfortable making a pop rock song because itās just not me, but I am also not limiting myself. Iām exploring different sides of that pop acoustic world. So, I guess Iād say the sentiment, then the lyrics, and then you can get a good melody in there.
S: So speaking of writing and lyrics, what does your writing process look like?
DG: I was just writing, so itās very fresh on my mind! I am a huge Notes App girl. So when I write, Iāll usually take out my Notes App, start strumming a four-chord pattern and kind of hum along, or if I have a sequence or phrase that I really want to use, Iāll try putting that in between. It can get a little frustrating sometimes when you have an expectation like, āoh, I got such a good line and I just canāt find what feels right melodicallyā. Itās difficult, but thatās when, you know, you either understand that itās time to take a step back or that it just takes time. Sometimes, they just come to you. I can spit out a song in ten minutes that Iām super proud of, and other times it takes a while. So it varies.
S: Youāve already talked about writing from personal experience and writing based on your friendsā experiences, so would you say that most of your songs are personal experience or taken from the experiences of the people around you?
DG: The songs that I have out are definitely my personal experiences. I sometimes struggle, because sometimes you just have a line that is so specific and youāre like āthis person, if they hear this, theyāre going to know that itās about themā and I donāt know if I can handle that right now.
S: Speaking of songs youāve released, what is your favorite one that you have out so far?
DG: Okay, so out so far, I would say itās āa little hope never hurtā. I think that it was just such a turning point for me, and to have Spotify put me on one of their own editorial playlists was like the moment where I felt everything coming together. Obviously, as an independent artist, Iām not managed or anything right now. Iāve met some amazing people that have helped me navigate the industry, because the industry is wild, but to write a song in my bedroom and then put it out through a little distributor and have it hit a million streams was something that I was trying to manifest at the beginning of this year and to see it happen, with everything I put into it, was just so rewarding. But I know once this is out, this would be my next favorite song. I have a song coming out very soon, and itās different than anything Iāve ever written or put out, and thatās gonna be my new favorite song.
S: That was actually going to be one of my other questions. (laughs) Can we be looking forward to something new from you soon?
DG: Yes. I have a whole private playlist of so many demos of songs that are ready to go… I have a certain song that should be finished in the next couple of days and I canāt stop thinking about it. I think itās very different, and different in a good way. Iāve been kind of hinting at it, and Iām so excited for it.
S: So back to āa little hope never hurtā; itās definitely one of those breakup songs that we all love to hear when we are going through it. You said that this one comes from personal experiences, right?
DG: Yeah.
S: I know you say you donāt want to talk too much about it, but could you talk about some of the emotion you were feeling in the writing process?
DG: Yeah, of course! Itās funny, because at first, the first line of that song is āalways leave my door unlocked in case you change your mindā and I get so many comments like ālock your door! Thatās so unsafe, youāre going to get robbed!ā But theyāre missing the sentiments behind it! Maybe a year and a half ago I had a falling out in a romantic way with someone, and we werenāt really together but you know, something happened and he walked out. I had this fantasy like if I left the door unlocked, then he might come knocking at 2:00 AM and be like āIām sorry, letās start overā. So that experience was a huge influence on the song. All of the lyrics are really personal and are something that I hold very true to me. I havenāt thought about how I started writing that song in a while. Thanks for reminding me! I remember exactly where I was, reflecting on the situation and how I felt and how I never want to go back to that place again. But I think itās really healing to write about something that took place like that and seeing where it is now.
S: Wow. Thanks for taking us a little deeper into the song! What do you want people to take away from your music?
DG: I think when I feel most empowered or when I feel the most gratification, I guess, is when people message me and tell me that my music has helped them in some way, whether itās in their relationship or getting them through a breakup. But also, Iāve written some songs on mental health and just kind of feeling, you know, some negative emotions, and people commenting that the song has helped them get better or to know theyāre not alone. I know it sounds so clichĆ© and I feel every single song where itās like I want everyone to know that theyāre not the only one whoās going through it. Iāve gotten so, so many messages and I canāt even describe how much it means to me. I have a hard time articulating that back to them because I donāt even know what to say. But like, first of all, thank you for listening. And I canāt even describe how happy it makes me feel.
I want everyone to know that they’re not the only one who’s going through it.
S: Kind of on the same topic, your fans. Have you been able to meet any of your fans in-person yet, or has everything been through like TikTok and Instagram?
DG: Itās still through TikTok and Instagram Live. Iām hoping to do something like a Zoom or something. Iāve done some live performances, sometimes I get āoh can I take a picture with you?ā and I donāt know if they know who I am through social media or not or if they just liked the performance, but itās been so surreal. My friends are like āoh my god, youāre gonna get recognized hereā and the first time it happens, Iāll be floored. And I feel like Iāll be more excited [to meet my fans] than they would be to meet me.
S: Have there been any venues youāve performed at yet, or has it all been through the comforts of your bedroom?
DG: Since moving to LA, Iāve performed at The Hotel CafĆ©, which is a really iconic venue here in Hollywood. I also performed at a place called Madame Siam with an organization called Breaking Sound, which works to highlight new and upcoming artists. Iām hoping to get in a few more performances before the end of the year.
S: So what would be your dream venue to perform at?
DG: I would say Troubadour, which is a venue here in Los Angeles, and also Madison Square Garden, even if Iām just opening for someone. I mean, I love New York and the energy that place brings, so Iād say definitely those two.
S: So do you prefer a more small, intimate venue or like a big, outdoor, open-air, huge amount of crowd space kind of venue?
DG: I really do like those intimate moments. I think that there is a happy medium between the two, where itās like, still, you know, you can talk to the people around you, but itās not overwhelming. Iāve been to a few concerts where it was the perfect audience size. It would be great to be where you can still interact and there isnāt so much going on on the outside. But it would still be so cool to perform at a venue where you canāt even see how many people there are because thereās just so many people. Iām crossing my fingers that Iāll get to experience that one day, and Iām working hard towards it every day.
S: So, my last question. Like we discussed earlier, you said youāre gonna be sharing snippets of things to come, and youāve been sharing snippets of original songs that havenāt been released yet. Are any of those on the plan to be released soon? Will there maybe be an EP or a singles album released soon?
DG: There have been talks about an EP, a possible albumā¦I would think I would do an album at the top of next year, maybe mid-next year. But Iāve always wanted to put out an EP. I think Iām just waiting for, you know, the right formation of songs to come together. Being able to put out an EP is such a different feeling than putting out a single. I do have enough songs to put one out, and people are messaging me like āwhereās the album?ā, āwhereās this?ā, āwhereās that?ā. And itās hard. I only have five songs on Spotify; youāre gonna get sick of that, listening to them over and over again. But [Iām crossing] my fingers that everything works out and it would be so unbelievable if I could do that. I would be super honored and grateful to be able to do that and put out something that people want to listen to.
If you want to follow Devon Gabriella and listen to her music, check her out on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.