Q: I love the aesthetic and overall feel of “Rewrite the Rules.” What is the message behind the song?
GABRIELLE ORNATE: Ah thank you so much! ‘Rewrite The Rules’ is a fierce tune about empowering oneself to leave a toxic relationship, and realizing one’s own self-worth. I’ve used biblical imagery to mythologise this idea.
Q: What inspired you to write the song in the first place?
ORNATE: Personal experience actually. Growing up, I always found it hard to put myself first because I couldn’t stand confrontation or the possibility of offending others.
After enduring a toxic dynamic for a number of years, I finally grew the strength and self-respect to leave that relationship and find my own path. It was one of the most liberating things I’ve done in my life!
Q: When did you first start making music?
ORNATE: I’ve pretty much been singing all my life. When I was a toddler, I used to make up melodies and sing to myself in the buggy all the time.
I’ve always been a songwriter (however silly they might have been when I was a lot younger), but I eventually taught myself the piano when I was about 11 in order to accompany myself.
From that point onwards, my songs had much more definition and meaning as I was able to come up with the harmony to go alongside my songs. When I was 18, I taught myself how to play the bass guitar and that made me a lot more conscious of rhythms and riffs.
I love being able to transform an initial idea into a fully fledged music production; turning a song into a full track is such an amazing creative journey.
Q: What would be a pivotal moment in your artistic development?
ORNATE: When I was 18, I formed an all-female band with my best friend and her younger sister. Before this, we had been writing songs together for years and years, however we decided to make it official then.
Being part of this band proved to be a pivotal moment in my artistic development because I decided to take up the bass guitar for our gigs and, in doing this, I gained a new instrumental skill and greatly progressed my performance skills.
As well as this, being in an official band meant that I was practising singing and songwriting a lot more religiously, which added a lot to my artistry.
Q: Who are the top three artists you would like to collaborate with and why?
ORNATE: I’ve been loving Wolf Alice lately, especially since the release of their latest album, so I’d very much enjoy collaborating with them. I like Ellie’s hypnotic vocals and the way they contrast with the heavy guitar tones and gritty soundscapes, so I’d love to leave my mark on their sound.
My all-time favourite band is the Beatles so I’d absolutely love to collaborate with Paul McCartney as I think he is a musical genius; I’m particularly in awe of his melodic writing, so I’d really like to write some melodies together.
Lastly, I’m a big fan of David Bowie due to his alternative and quirky lyricism, as well as his idiosyncratic sound and trendsetting look; I’d love to be in his presence (if he was still alive) and be inspired by his raw talent.
Q: Anything exciting for us to look forward to in the near future?
ORNATE: Currently, I’m working on the music video for my latest single ‘Rewrite The Rules’ which is due to come out this Friday 26th November. I filmed it at an extremely scenic and unique location, and I’m so excited to share it with the world!
Music-wise, I’m also working on my next single ‘Spirit of the Times’ which is mastered and ready to go! It’s going to be released in early February and I can’t wait for the world to hear it.
I plan to carry on releasing a steady stream of singles which will eventually result in the release of an album or two. Amping it up one song at a time – watch this space!
Interviewed by Katrina Yang
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