What initially drew you to singing and performing?

Do you know something, I have always loved singing from being a kid listening to my mum’s music and growing up as an ’80s pop child. I just loved music. I wrote my first song between the ages of 12 and 13, but at the time I never imagined that I would make a living out of it, and the idea that I would still be here was unimaginable. My kids have grown up and I am having the time of my life. How many people can say this is my life? But I really love what I do! I now have new music and a tour coming and I just feel I am in a wonderful place.

 

How do you hope your music impacts your listeners?

I would like to think that whatever a person is going through in their life, my music can help them, even in the smallest way. My music is about all those things. There are days where we just want to listen to a love song or we need a song that will empower us to make us feel valued, strong, and capable. There are so many emotions, and I would like to think that music covers these things. I sometimes think, what would I like to be remembered for? Yes, for my music, but if you can take a little bit from a Gabrielle song and run with it, and find joy in it, and whatever you need from it, I hope my song will have somehow fulfilled you musically.

 

Breakthrough hit ‘Dreams’ became an anthem for many. Can you tell us the story behind that song and what it means to you?

‘Dreams’ was like a little poem at the time; it wasn’t an official song. It was a poem I wrote when I was going through a time in my life when I was having difficulty trying to get a head start in the industry. The opening lines, “Move a step closer, you know that I want you”, are about every time people were making promises, nothing was happening, so it always felt like everything was falling through. People ask, is it a love song? but it’s about my love affair with music and the career I wanted to have. So, it went from being this poem in a book to a song to the music of ‘Fast Car’ by Tracey Chapman, which got me signed. Now I know it has so many different meanings to different people.

 

You have a new album, ‘A Place in Your Heart’, along with a single of the same name. What can you tell us about it?

My album feels like it has been under wraps for such a long time, in between touring and doing lots of festivals. It’s not a concept album; none of my stuff has ever been that. It’s just about me, my life and loves, and the highs and lows of my life. Many times, I have gone through things emotionally, hence the song ‘A Place in Your Heart’. It is about falling in love with someone who is already in love with you and lets you know, and you go, ‘Oh no, just let’s stay friends’, then realising I feel the same way. It is full of songs that have happened in my life.

 

Is there anyone you’d particularly like to collaborate with in the future?

For this album, I collaborated with Mahalia. She is an incredible singer. Her vocals on this album are so good. I love James Arthur and Tic; there are so many people, but I’ll settle for who I have on my album as we had so much fun. I would have loved to have worked with George Michael, who used to send me flowers, but I never got to work with him. He had an amazing voice.

 

How do you think your music evolved since the early days of your career?

As time has gone on, I have just relaxed to be who I am now. I don’t try to second guess what people want to hear. I just go with the flow now and trust my gut instinct. Musically, your voice matures, and lyrically, sometimes there’s a maturity in the lyrics.

 

The music industry has undergone significant changes since you started. How do you think these changes have impacted artists?

Where do I start? There are so many things. In the early days, there were so many platforms to showcase your music like Top of the Pops, and so many other shows. Now there are not that many opportunities, so you try to grab anything with both hands. Now, it’s all about the internet; people just stream and buy fewer records.

 

Is there a particular performance or moment in your career that stands out as especially memorable for you?

One of the things was meeting Nelson Mandela and singing ‘Dreams’ for him with a school choir. I have done lots of incredible things and sung in some wonderful venues, but to perform for someone like that was incredible. Also, opening for people like Adele was also a highlight.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring singers and songwriters?

Stay true to yourself and be you, and you will go a long way... just stay true! What can fans expect from you in the near future?

 

Do you have any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?

I am really excited about going on my arena headline tour next year with my back catalogue and lots of new stuff, so bring your dancing shoes, and let’s go, because I’m ready to go! 

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​You can see Gabrielle performing at Durham Cathedral on Saturday 20th July 2024.