We caught up with the singer to chat about her new single, abcdefu, and more!
Image: Luke Rogers.
17-year old rising pop singer-songwriter GAYLE has dropped her riotous new single, abcdefu. The release marks the first taste of music from the singer since her signing to Atlantic Records and arrives alongside an official visual.
Produced by Pete Nappi (Kesha, Anne Marie, Madison Beer, Illenium), the track is an FU to that pesky ex, the one who did you nasty yet you still rise above show them kindness. Built upon minimalistic sonics and jagged guitar work, the song reaches its climax with a massive sing-a-long chorus.
abcdefu is out now!
Tell us a bit about how you began your musical journey, and your background in music…
I started singing around the house when I was seven and it started out pretty innocently. Then my mother showed me a 30-minute compilation of Aretha Franklin and in that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life
You recently signed with Atlantic Records, with your new single abcdefu serving as the first release under your new label home. What made this partnering the right choice for you?
Atlantic was Aretha Franklin’s label and I’ve wanted to be signed with Atlantic since I was twelve. Atlantic is a label that specializes in development and will make sure they have the best possible version of a song before it comes out. As a perfectionist this is something I really appreciate about Atlantic.
Congratulations on your new release, we’re loving the new single! What prompted you to write abcdefu?
Ironically enough, it takes quite a lot to piss me off to the point where I’d do/say something about it. I was having a lot of negative feelings towards my ex that I was suppressing in order to maintain a friendship with them. Then they started talking shit about me behind my back. I realized I was putting in effort to maintain our friendship that they didn’t even care about. So then all the feelings I was suppressing came rushing in, and let’s just say I’m one for theatrics and drama ;)
What’s one line from the release you find at times can be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
I really love the line “told everyone I’m a bitch so I became it” because most of the time I really try and be the bigger person, until I don’t.
How would you describe your sound to someone who is about to press play on abcdefu?
Abcdefu isn’t going to be the only direction that I take sonically but it is a great place to start. It’s a song that was written specifically to my own personal experience paired with my love for pop melodies and crowd vocals, and of course you can never forget the electric guitar.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process when writing and recording songs?
Most the time I come in with an idea, or at least a word that I find inspiring, and then try and pair it with a melody that I think is catchy. Next I try and find a direction for production and then start with the lyrics. I love songs with really specific realistic story lines, but I can also be one for heavily metaphoric songs that barely make sense. It just really depends what mood I’m in.
The release arrives alongside an official visual, giving us since u been gone by Kelly Clarkson vibes. How important are the visuals to you when it comes to conveying the themes of the song?
Visuals are very important to me. After I’m done writing a song one of the first things I think about is the music video and how the song is going to be aesthetically conveyed. Thank you for the Kelly Clarkson reference, that made my heart soar :)
What’s your favourite moment from the clip?
Driving around in my car, that was pretty fun.
Will we be hearing an EP or album in the near future?
Wait till 2021 and you’ll see ;)
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Areatha Franklin, Delacy, Julia Michaels, Alanis Morissette, Jeremy Zucker, and Amy Allen.
Dream collaboration?
Currently Justus Bennetts or Jeremy Zucker.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
25 by Adele.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Evolving, colorful, and loud.
Best song of 2021 so far?
Therapist by Jeremy Zucker.
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Probably Shameless because there’s a wide range of emotions on that show.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Why chose?
What was the first song you loved to sing?
Think by the queen of soul herself, Aretha Franklin.
A song you would love to cover on tour?
I’m going to cover You Outta Know by Alanis Morissette
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
N.I.C.O (Not In Chronological Order) by Julia Michaels
First concert you went to?
Aretha Franklin.
Best concert you have been to?
Aretha Franklin.
First album you ever bought?
Something involving Kidz Bop.
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
Yes.
If you were a spice girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Hmm Moody Spice. Tbh I didn’t keep up with the Backstreet Boys but I’d never say no to being one.
Most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
I just performed at the Mercy Lounge last Friday, and that show was pretty fucking awesome.
Guilty music pleasure?
Anything Top 40.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Gracie Abrams, Maggie Rodgers, Oliva Rodrigo, Jeremy Zucker, Lorde, Coin, and Winnetka Bowling League.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Billie Eilish.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Learn to be present in the moment because life moves a light speed and in slow motion all at the same time.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
When I was seven years old hearing Aretha Franklin sing for the first time.
abcdefu is out now!