Gabriella Caspi is the Multi-hyphenate Artist, Songwriter, Stylist and SongMom on our Radar
Gabriella Caspi is the singer/songwriter and wardrobe stylist on our radar. We chat with Gabriella about her music, her new EP, and what’s next for the rising star. She’s known as “SongMom” to Amelia Moore, Kaeyra, Kevitch, MILES, and Raven Gray to name a few & has written with countless other artists and producers including Rozzi, JC Stewart, Jimmie Gutch & Nami. Gabriella’s first performance with her new project was at the original Winston House in Venice, CA. It was actually her performance at a the Water Tower Sessions for Winston House that she introduced the guys who we now know as the band Beauty School Dropout. Her fingerprints are all over the industry like glitter. Known in the industry both as SongMom and her namesake, Gabriella Caspi is one to watch.
Check out Gabriella’s Spotify link here.
Featured Interview:
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SOUND, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?
My sound has evolved quite a lot over the years. I started from a very foundational singer/songwriter place from my first years as a songwriter in Nashville. Once I realized the beautiful elasticity of music and production I knew that I could make my sound anything I wanted it to be in order to express the most emotion possible. I created my sound as a way to alchemize my own pain, my deepest introspections, and turn it into power.
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL HEROES?
My musical heroes are Fiona Apple, Toni Braxton, James Taylor, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Danny Elfman, Patti Griffin, and James Blake to name a few. A lot of my current musical heroes are artists/producers/songwriters/disruptors who are friends of mine because they are who they are authentically outside of the trends of the industry. People like Tors, Jessy Wilson, Thomas Daniel, Ryann, Soaky Siren, Royal, and the Serpent & Beauty School Dropout.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST SONG YOU HEARD ON THE RADIO AND FELT “MUSIC IS MY CALLING”?
The simple answer is that I never needed to hear music on the radio to feel the calling. I’ve felt it in my bones since before I even had a memory.
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS OF WRITING A SONG LIKE “SILHOUETTE”?
I originally wrote the song “Silhouette” the morning after I had my heart broken. I walked into the studio in Nashville to work with Zach Abend and I asked him to just play the piano. The song poured out of me and in its demo form it was painful to listen to for a while. I took the song to one of my dearest producer friends Chris Jobe and asked if he would consider walking it forward with me into my future “sound” and he said yes. I wanted the song to tell my story without the audience being aware of it, which is why the song starts with stacked acapella because I learned how to sing without playing any instruments, I was also raised listening to a lot of gospel music and I live for harmonies. The rest of the song I wanted to feel like a dirge like anthem that picks up and turns into a vibe.
HOW ARE YOU DISRUPTING THE CULTURE OF POP MUSIC?
My disruption is in every fiber of my being. I didn’t come to the table to teach people to bend into shapes; to please labels or quotas. I came to the table to help remind the artists of who they are and to bring out their deepest truths because that creates art and songs that can stand the test of time. I believe in authenticity. I believe in my work as a Song Mom developing and nurturing artists from a place of compassion and real experience. I love working across genres and being a part of the unexpected.
TELL US ABOUT THIS NEW EP; WHAT LYRIC HITS CLOSEST TO HOME?
I produced this EP seven years ago and I realized it not only had relevance but it was important for me to be willing to share my experiences if I ask my artists to do the same. The lyric of choice would be “This house was built with poisonwood and hollow frame where once love stood/ it photographs so beautifully in black and white/ and from far away you’d think we were in paradise”
HOW IMPORTANT IS FASHION AND DEFINING YOUR SIGNATURE LOOK TO YOU?
I have always loved adornments and clothing and colors. I appreciate the creatives in every field and love supporting smaller ethical brands. I don’t see why an artist herself shouldn’t be a work of art and live as such in body and in aesthetics. I am a work of art. We all are.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR FANS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Fans would be surprised to know I speak four languages fluently & am also a visual artist.
WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE FULL EP OR ALBUM?
More music and bravery to come in 2024.
WHO ARE YOUR DREAM MUSICAL COLLABORATIONS?
Dream collaborations: Sia, James Blake, and Justin Trantor.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU ON THIS JOURNEY OF STARDOM?
You’ll just have to stick around and see what’s next. Perhaps one day a book of poetry and lyrics of mine that have never made it into song form.
All I want is to be a source of love and expression in the world & to remind people of who they are.
