In recent years, Gabrielle Shonk has experienced breakups. Professional and loving. Luckily, she makes a living by writing songs.
“I consider myself lucky when I experience things that let my creativity run free and set them to music,” admits the singer-songwriter, who is currently releasing her second album “Across The Room”.
A little over five years after a first eponymous effort that garnered a Juno Awards nomination for Alternative Adult Album of the Year, it’s time to take stock for the Quebec artist.
“Introspective” and “100% autobiographical,” Across The Room has chronicled Gabrielle Shonk’s emotional journey since 2017. As well as a split, she says she has severed ties with her management team and multinational Universal Music on good terms.
At first sight it announces a dark work, but does not so much analyze its creator.
“There are songs that speak of light and softness, like Let’s Shine Into The Night. I talk to myself about reconnecting and regaining my self-esteem. It’s important to me to be able to write songs in bright moments. T’sé, the kind of light at the end of the tunnel after torment and pain…”
natural development
“How We Used To Be”, “Aftertaste” and “People Pleaser”, the first excerpts from Across The Room, gave us a tip. The Gabrielle Shonk 2023 version is more pop and R&B, less folk, with a more soulful facet in the showcase.
“It’s just a natural evolution,” says the one who doesn’t want to be pigeonholed now and for a long time.
“I don’t know what the next album will sound like, but I don’t want to put up any barriers. Yes, people will connect, others less so. Done there, the most important thing is that I defend and that I like what I put on,” she said.
His time with Arts & Crafts, a Toronto-based independent label, is no stranger to this musical revival.
Granted, Gabrielle Shonk played in the premier leagues at Universal Music Canada, but the two parties mutually recognized that the giant was no longer the right vehicle to promote and market their music.
With that, she freed herself from the pressure to do another Habit, the song that made her famous six years ago. Self-made print or print from the label? “A mixture of both,” she replies.
“Actually, there was a lot of encouragement and support, but I was lost and needed to find myself and be sure to face it all and say, ‘This is what I have to offer, here’s my sound, take it or leave it.” »
- On the other side of the roomby Gabrielle Shonk, currently available.
- In concert on April 27th at the Palais Montcalm in Quebec City and on April 1stah May at the Corona Theater in Montreal.
- All appointments at gabrielleshonk.com