Exclusive Interview With Gabi Ammirato

How are you taking charge of your music right now? I have been on a journey to discover what my “true voice” is because as an emerging artist I found myself trying to be what others told me I should be or what I thought they wanted me to be. When you are exposed to shows being cast with artists who sound like the featured artist and are offered classes teaching you how to be in the Billboard Top 100 it can feel like you should strive to “fit in”. In this EP I am finally mature and free enough to really take charge of my sound and write songs about themes that matter to me and do it with a positive mindset. I find so many songs take a negative view of experiences or exs and in Lesson To Learn I call out the bad behavior (“playing games”) but frame it as lessons I learned about being authentic and valuing who I am. It is key to put positivity out in the World today because there is far too much negativity. How are you charging up while promoting your latest music? Charging up can mean many things so let me answer in two ways. I am recharging over the holiday break because it was really challenging doing a full semester of classes while completing this EP and releasing it as my Senior Capstone Project. So I am taking this time to recharge as the World slows down a bit over the holidays. At the same time this is my first EP where I am responsible for promoting it. So I am learning lots about how to promote it. The internet has made it relatively easy to connect with the World but at the same time it is a crowded and loud World so how do you rise above all that? I am also charging up as I write more songs for the EP to come next year. What is a big declaration you want to make known when it comes to your music? My music is as unique as I am, and I LOVE It that way. My professors at Berklee often offered positive comments about my distinctive style and the uniqueness of my sound. That means so much to me because it is key to be original. I also defy being categorized by a genre or being placed in a box which can be hard when all the World asks you to define yourself by a genre. Lastly I view music in the broadest context because I came to music through dance. I grew up swimming in an ocean of music that ranged from classic to hip hop and covered centuries of music. I feel a particular kinship with the 60s and 70s music, it connects to my singer songwriter vibe and commitment to themes that bond as in our humanity. Being unique takes courage as your success may take longer as you wait for your tribe to find you and connect with your music. Is there more of you as an artist that fans haven't seen yet? Absolutely because my journey has just begun. Being a new artist just emerging there is so much to share and for fans to learn about you. Growing my fan base is a big priority, but again I am seeking the tribe that aligns with my vibe so that takes some finesse. I also know that I will learn and grow every day of my career so I expect to be evolving for years to come and I hope my fans will grow right alongside me. As a 22 year old there is much to learn about this World and that will become the material that feeds my music, my fans will be an important part of that experience. What do you have lined up performance wise for your fans to listen to the music? I have plans to put some shows on the books in the New Year as I finish up my last semester at Berklee. Given the ups and downs of this pandemic that has to be fluid so I will keep folks updated on my website. In addition I have plans to put on some shows in the NYC area and hope to have a small East Coast tour in the Summer of 22. It has been challenging to get these things lined up because the music needed to be released and the pandemic has just closed down quite a few events. I also have some appearances lined up on shows via Instagram Live including Biscuits & Jam and the Ted Show. All of this information can be found on my Instagram account. Is there something that you could take it or leave it when it comes to the music industry? I mentioned the genre bit and having to fit inside a box. That works against creativity and originality in my view. Also, I wish the industry was more open to forums to find emerging artists rather than feeling like you have to fit in, build a following and then your artistry matters. Too often getting attention on social media comes down to being shocking or provocative and less about your artistry. If we are really changing our World to be more value based then we should find ways for artistry to shine through on its own accord. Before you get into what you'll be making next, what is something that is the deal breaker for you on whether the project gets made? Authenticity is key for me, so being able to be truly myself. Also knowing when it is good enough and not striving for perfection to the point you get paralyzed, so nothing progresses. Collaboration is key so a great team that really listens to each other and lets the beauty of all we each have to bring come through in the project. Let's find your music and more! Leave us with links! Thank you Gabi! YouTube: Gabi Ammirato