It’s a cliche, but it’s true. In order to grow, you need to take risks.

Gabrielle Aplin is no stranger to this. After releasing a pair of full-lengths on Parlophone in 2013 and 2015, the British songstress went indie and made some changes in her style. Contrary to the conventional route may young artists take, Aplin turned to pop after her deal was up. The results are her staggering new electro-pop EPs “Miss You” and “Avalon.” In what appears to be her most honest and interesting phase yet, the twenty-five year old Briton is gearing up for LP3 – a body of songs which she claims are equally as true to her roots as they are her future.

Interview and Photography by Andy Gorel

Andy: You got signed when you were very young, right?

Gabrielle: Yeah! I was 19.

Andy: What was it like signing in your late teens? Had you just finished high school?

Gabrielle: Yeah, well I left school when I was 16, and I went to music college until I was 18-19. It was kind of going while I was doing it, and it was cool cause I was learning about the industry, and tech, and songwriting, publishing – and other things that I would never have known how they worked. I kind of built up this thing where I could have put something out myself. I was releasing my own music, and I kind of set up my own label in a sense that I could release my music through. I released three EPs by the time I got signed. I was kind of already working, but it was kind of the same, except more people got involved.

Andy: You’ve always played your own instruments. What drew you to becoming an instrumentalist when you were younger?

Gabrielle: My aunt gave me one of her old keyboards when I was like 15, and I taught myself how to play them. It was kind of out of boredom, and kind of out of curiosity. I wanted to learn, and I was able to play by ear, so I figured I would just carry on. It was kind of also a vessel for me to make songs, cause I wanted, to write songs but didn’t know the music side of it. I discovered a way of being able to make up words and make up tunes, and put them together. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be a ridiculous keys or guitar player. I just wanted to be able to make my songs and use instruments to fill them out.

I’ve started being more adventurous with my production – writing from a drum machine or synth – pushing myself more.

Andy: The sound you got signed on was more organic, poppy but more folk. What inspired your sound as a teenager/early twenty-something?

Gabrielle: I think at that point I had really based myself around songs and being a songwriter. A lot of my songs at that point were written on a guitar and piano, and I built around them as I was producing. Since then I’ve started being more adventurous with my production – writing from a drum machine or synth – pushing myself more. Which I wasn’t really doing before. I got used to having my guitar on me at all times, and since then I’ve gradually been finding other things to experiment with, and using those sounds.

Andy: What was it like going through the major label machine with your first two albums?

Gabrielle: When I got signed my first album was pretty much done, I just had to get it produced. That was actually a really simple process, and was done really quickly. Then for my second album I wanted to do something more organic, and made it in my friend’s basement. It was really cool. Then my deal was up and I decided I didn’t want to carry on. It wasn’t a bad thing, I just figured I’d try something new. Since then I’ve been releasing through my own label. It’s completely the same, but with less people.

I never really felt like I didn’t have control – like I was in the machine and forced to do anything. I was really lucky in that sense other than I own everything now. That’s literally it.

Andy: How about being in the industry in Britain? Were there any expectations you had as an artist for over here in the states that ended up being different? Or not really?

Gabrielle: Hmm.. not really. America’s just big! Right? I didn’t really know what to expect, I just came over to play my songs and was hoping for the best. I don’t think I had any perceptions. It’s just a way bigger market.

I kind of just dropped my ego, and realized I don’t have to have a guitar on me at all times. Also, instead of trying to cram organic sounds onto something that didn’t feel right, I produce songs in the way they deserve to be produced.

Andy: So now with the new music. It’s poppier. You said you’re experimenting more with production. It seemed to be very natural, but what led to the transition into that sound?

Gabrielle: I kind of just dropped my ego, and realized I don’t have to have a guitar on me at all times. Also, instead of trying to cram organic sounds onto something that didn’t feel right, I produce songs in the way they deserve to be produced, and what brings out the best in them. That’s it really. I’d also just be bored if I kept doing the same thing.

I started listening to way more music, and started writing way more with synths. I’ve just tried to find different things to build songs around.

Andy: What’s been inspiring songwriting-wise? Has it been different as you’ve grown?

Gabrielle: I used to really focus on lyrics and just build around that. Now I really love writing around beats, and drums as opposed to just words. I do a lot of it at the same time as opposed to just words and then music. I have less of a formula now. It’s different every time I write.

Andy: Going forward, you have a new album coming right?

Gabrielle: I do!

Andy: Any themes?

Gabrielle: I guess at the moment, I’m at the stage where I’ve written most of it, and started producing. I’ve started getting into artwork and videos now too, so things are starting to form. Things are falling into place, so I guess I’m really just starting to discover that at the moment. There’s definitely a nod to my first album with it, but also a nod to a lot of my newer releases as well.