Gabriel Greenwood is a rising singer-songwriter identified for his soulful vocals and reflective lyrical fashion. His newest launch, Excessive Faculty Reunion, channels the wistful pull of the previous whereas illuminating how far we come after graduating. In our interview, Greenwood discusses the inspirations behind the monitor, the influences that formed his signature sound, and his plans to proceed forging new musical frontiers in 2025. He additionally reveals the pivotal position his music schooling performed in nurturing his artistic spirit, underlining his unwavering dedication to sincerity. This glimpse into Greenwood’s world hints at how he merges private recollections with fashionable ingenuity.
Gabriel Greenwood, thanks for taking the time to sit down down with us to debate what’s within the pipeline for you! We cherished discovering you thru your newest single, Excessive Faculty Reunion which is due for launch on January 11. What’s the story behind the only?
I wrote this track in 2021. I graduated from highschool in 2016, so, if not for COVID, it might’ve been my fifth 12 months highschool reunion. That sentiment was on my thoughts, and it crammed me with nostalgia for that point in my life. It jogged my memory of the crush(es) I had in highschool, and what reuniting with them at a reunion would’ve been like. Would I nonetheless like them? Have they thought of me in any respect?
You do a whole lot of rising in 5 years after commencement. You grow to be an grownup, you discover new pursuits, and also you be taught quite a bit about your self. I felt prefer it took me leaving highschool to find out about love. I needed to write down about that concept.
What do you hope listeners take away from the only?
As a lot as I would like listeners to stroll away with a way of self-acceptance and pleasure of their journey, I additionally need them to establish with the sluggish burn of a highschool crush that by no means labored out. Life is filled with many ‘what ifs’, and particularly while you’re younger and don’t have all of the solutions, it’s essential to look again and have a good time that development, whereas additionally going “Rattling; think about if I had had the braveness again then that I’ve now!”
How did you guarantee your melodies mirrored the emotional underpinnings of the only?
I’m so impressed by traditional artists comparable to Stevie Marvel and Donny Hathaway. I needed to replicate the nostalgia of highschool by having a 70s Soul throwback-y sound. I additionally had the privilege of working with unbelievable session musicians on this monitor (Daniel Huston, Ian Strobino, Jackson Mayhall, Heaven McCoury, Mack Clay). I really feel like the true gamers added to the sense of being in a band, which brings me again to highschool. The melody itself naturally fluctuates from being extra introspective within the verse to declarative within the hook, reflecting the ups and downs of reminiscence and connection.
You’re clearly an artist able to portray a whole spectrum of emotional complexity. How did you hone this ability?
Thanks! I believe it’s a mix of learning the greats, who had been masters at storytelling, and my background in choral arranging and vocal teaching. Working with vocal harmonies taught me the best way to create layers of emotion in a track, and learning songwriting has given me the instruments to translate these feelings into lyrics and melodies. I’m additionally somebody who’s at all times reflecting on life and observing the feelings round me—I believe that helps too.
Would you say you will have a signature sound, or can your followers at all times anticipate the surprising?
It’s a little bit of each for me! There are nuances and writing components that followers will at all times be capable to establish as quintessentially Gabriel Greenwood. I additionally love sticking to my love of a soulful sound, and I’ll by no means lose that. However, I’m additionally consistently impressed by new sounds. I’ve new concepts incorporating some 80s rock components and world music components that I’m actually vibing with proper now. So for my followers, I’d simply say put together to be pleasantly shocked!
How do you incorporate nuances of your influences whereas holding your sound genuine?
I really feel Excessive Faculty Reunion does it finest out of any of the songs I’ve out. It actually balances the nuances with my very own originality. The instrumentation and association sound so traditional like my 70s Soul influences, however the melody itself may be very recent. I’m particularly pleased with the hook, which feels so fashionable with out feeling misplaced. Additionally, the subject and the story itself is fairly distinctive whereas being very relatable. I at all times love discovering a narrative for a track that not many different artists speak about, thereby guaranteeing some authenticity from the get-go.
What appeals to you most about traditional songwriting?
Properly, my mother is a songwriter who labored primarily within the 70s and 80s. She impressed me from a really younger age to inform tales by my songs. I really like the frankness of writing that got here out of the 70s. Writers who impressed my mother like Laura Nyro, Carole King, and Carly Simon knew the best way to ship a message clearly AND creatively. I additionally love when a second verse truly MEANS one thing haha! I really like how traditional songs proceed to inform the story linearly by every verse. A number of fashionable Pop tends to make use of the second verse to rehash what’s already been mentioned within the first verse, when there’s a lot extra context and layering you could possibly be doing within the second verse. In Excessive Faculty Reunion, I loved displaying a full dialog with the crush that continues and finishes in verse 2.
Have the environments you’ve lived in and skilled formed your sound?
I see my influences as beginning factors slightly than templates. The music that evokes me was at all times enjoying in my home rising up. And although a whole lot of it wouldn’t seep into my artist persona till my teen years, it had a deep impression on me. On the identical time, I used to be being so nurtured in school, the place I used to be surrounded my top-notch music alternatives. It gave me an surroundings the place, if I wasn’t being impressed, I used to be no less than being inspired to take music severely. I’m indebted to my music schooling for the place I’m at the moment. As an artist, whether or not releasing music or acting on cruise ships, I believe my inspirational and academic environments had been essential in shaping my sound.
Any huge plans for 2025?
I’m actually excited to take my followers with me on my journey performing professionally on a cruise ship this 12 months! From January-Could, I might be performing a piano duo present with my unbelievable pal Stephen Coakley aboard the MS Zuiderdam! We’ll be on for the 125-day Grand World Voyage, circumnavigating the complete globe! Alongside the best way, I hope to collaborate with stellar musicians and artists I love each on board and off to make music that connects with individuals on a deep stage. 2025 can be going to be a 12 months of a whole lot of creation. I’ve acquired extra songs on the best way, in addition to a whole lot of thrilling content material to additional develop my fan base on Instagram and TikTok. =)
Excessive Faculty Reunion might be obtainable to stream on all main platforms from January 11th. Discover your most well-liked strategy to pay attention and join with Gabriel Greenwood by way of their official web site.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast