Q&A: This is Gabarre
“I’m working on a “slow cooking” new album. Totally different from anything I’ve produced so far, trying to offer something fresh and new.” - Gabarre
It was a pleasure to recently interview Gabarre, a musician I recently discovered and became an instant fan of. We discuss his musical beginnings, his latest single, highlights of 2023, plans for 2024 and his love of food and Christmas music! Be sure to check out the playlist below at the end and continue to support his future work!
How did you get started making lofi music? What inspired you to make music in this genre?
Well, I’m a big fan of Black music in general. I grew up listening to Jazz, Soul, Reggae, Funk, Hip-Hop, Disco, House… I bought my first mixer when I was 13 and I started DJing and exploring the whole spectrum of Electronic music. Today I’m 30 and feel myself in a great artistic moment.
I’ve had different musical projects across the years and I’ve been consuming lofi for a long time, about 10 years, before I started offering my own vision to the world. Going deeper into the lofi aesthetic brings me a lot of possibilities and allows me to put all my creativity in each project. As an artist and sound freak, I really enjoy that.
Curiously, as a project, “gabarre” was strongly inspired by ‘Atypical’ -a Netflix series- in the beginning. On the other hand, as a human being, I try to be aware of the abundance that surrounds me by creating while focused on the greatness of everyday things.
Tell me about your latest single “beach-a-nova”? I love the bossa nova vibes in this song!
It started as a challenge. I usually send all my tracks to labels, playlist curators, media, etc., when I release something new in order to maximize its impact.
Digging on Instagram, I found Andy’s contact -an A&R at Vinyl Digital- and sent him my track “Baby”, in first instance, for playlist consideration.
In addition to Vinyl Digital, Andy has a playlist called “Summer Jazz Vibes” and he proposed that we work together on some new songs for release on the label.
At that time, I started producing “cocktail lounge” and “beach-a-nova”, taking his playlist as a reference for the vibe of the songs. Without a doubt, some of my fav beats I’ve ever produced.
What have been the major musical highlights of this year for you?
Releasing on two different German labels like 55 Music -a lofi house sub label of Mutombo Records- and, as I said previously, on the well-known Hip-Hop label Vinyl Digital. I’ve followed these labels and their artists for years in some cases.
On the other hand, this year my music has reached more than one million streams on Spotify. Of course, numbers are only quantifiers and don’t determine the quality of your work but, avoiding toxic obsessions, give you important data about your audience and show you how far your music can go.
I think when you put in the work consistently everything comes. So grateful and satisfied! Not bad for the first year of Gabarre :)
Which lofi hip hop artists do you look up to or are inspired by?
A lot of artists and different vocal and instrumental projects. To name a few: Cráneo, Made in M, Cookin Soul, Phlocalyst, Glimlip, FloFilz, Tom Doolie… I think each project has very interesting things to learn something.
On the other hand, not purely focused in lofi hip hop, Mac Miller, Charles Bradley, Terry Callier, Robert Glasper, FKJ, Alfa Mist, Yussef Dayes, Kamaal Williams, Oscar Jerome… The list is so long. This year I’ve discovered Les Imprimés and Pale Jay. I’m devouring all their music!
Finally, my electronic side is heavily inspired by producers like San Holo, Chaos in the CBD, Tour-Maubourg, Laurence Guy, Jesse Bru… I’m really interested in new textures, innovation and avant-garde producers that bring fresh air to the scene.
Do you like Christmas music? If so, what is your favorite Christmas song?
I really like Christmas music! Hahaha. For years now, when the season is coming, I usually look for new Christmas albums by lofi producers, jazz bands or soul musicians. In fact, I’m working on my own Christmas album/EP for the next season.
I don’t have a specific favorite Christmas song, but I’d like to recommend the new Christmas album “Sno-Fi, Vol. 2” by L.Dre. It’s so good!
If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Central or South Africa, Jamaica, Costa Rica or New Zealand. I enjoy traveling and nature a lot!
Recently, I’ve been in Paris for a week and I’ve really enjoyed the city, although I prefer smaller cities.
I’m from Spain and every summer I go to Galicia or Asturias to relax and unwind. Beautiful places for nature and food lovers, if you visit Spain.
What is your favorite food?
As I said before, I’m Spanish. Usually I eat Mediterranean and Italian food. Also, I like Asian food with one exception: Sushi. That’s not my cup of tea.
We have a gourmet gastronomy in Spain but I love pasta & pizza. My heart is divided! Hahaha.
P.S. I’m a cheese lover too!! :)
What are your 2024 music goals?
I’m working on a “slow cooking” new album. Totally different from anything I’ve produced so far, trying to offer something fresh and new. So, the goal will be to finish it.
For now, I’m dealing with different labels to release new music in 2024. As a goal, I hope publishing new music on labels I admire as well as keeping independent releases on my own label Fetiche Jazz Lab.
Finally, I’d like to make new links, collabs and add a dimension to the project with live acts. Still working!
If you could say anything to your fans right now, what would it be?
I’d like to express my gratitude for all the support I’ve received this year. Keep struggling and still working fam! Music inspired in good memories never dies. 2024 will be full of music! I hope you stay. Thanks so much <3