The Style & Vibes Podcast
The Style & Vibes Podcast
Caribbean Riddims and Soul: The Journey of DJ GabSoul
What does it mean to truly connect cultures through music? GabSoul, the self-described "eclectic selector," offers powerful insights into this question as she shares her journey from basement parties to international stages.
Growing up between Trinidadian and Guyanese heritage in New York, GabSoul absorbed musical traditions from her DJ father's extensive record collection while developing an instinctive understanding of party dynamics from attending gatherings since her early teens. Despite initially being told "girls don't DJ," she found inspiration in emerging female DJs during college and eventually convinced her father to share his technical knowledge.
The conversation explores what makes GabSoul's approach distinctive—her ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating musical journeys that reveal connections between Caribbean sounds, R&B, soul, and various African diaspora traditions. She articulates how combining technical precision with feminine intuition creates a unique energy, allowing her to take risks that more traditional DJs might avoid. "I love anything soulful with a good groove," she explains, describing how she connects disparate genres to tell stories through her sets.
Beyond her technical skills, GabSoul's community-building initiatives stand out. Through events like "We Ting," "Auntie's House," and "Riddim and Soul," she creates spaces that embody Caribbean hospitality while celebrating music that often gets overlooked in mainstream venues. These platforms serve her deeper mission of helping people connect with cultural heritage while breaking down artificial barriers between diaspora communities.
We discuss GabSoul's reflection on her purpose: "To spread love and be an example of love." As she navigates the music industry with spiritual grounding rather than purely transactional relationships, she offers wisdom about staying present, practicing gratitude, and remembering that authenticity isn't something to strive for, but is something already in our possession if we're brave enough to embrace it.
Listen now to discover how music can bridge worlds while staying true to its roots, and why sometimes the most powerful selector is the one who remembers why we gather to celebrate sound in the first place.
Style & Vibes: Website | Newsletter | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Produced by Breadfruit Media
Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Style and Vibes podcast with yours truly. If you are new to the family, welcome to the family. Are you returning? Welcome back, family. It's always a great conversation you guys know I love to have with you guys. Today we are joined by a special guest. You are going to be my first woman female DJ selector, puniting Gamsoul. Welcome, welcome, thank you, thank you, it's a pleasure. Thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 1:So Gamsoul is her name, but she is known as the eclectic selector. I have to ask more than one day because I like that. That tag name is so perfect. So she's based here in New York. She is a Caribbean American DJ or selector we in Caribbean call it selector and she fuses her love of R&B, soul, hip hop, funk, house and all of the African diaspora music. She has been seeing DJing at a number of events across the United States and internationally At Afropunk R&B Only Boiler Room. But she also carries her own events, including we Ting so you're not off the top boat with Ting Auntie's House and recently launched Rhythm and Soul, which amplifies connecting artists and music in the diaspora.
Speaker 1:So I love all the things that you are doing. So we're going to talk about our life, but first I really want to talk to you about just getting started. How did you become a selector? You know well. First of all, tell the people the islands that you hail from. Let's start there.
Speaker 2:Half Trini, half Guyanese, mom's Trini, dad's Guyanese.
Speaker 1:Okay, and you're based in Brooklyn.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know Brooklynites like to distinct, so don't just say New York Menos say on a Brooklynite it's different to be Caribbean and from Brooklyn.
Speaker 2:This is true. I'm also from Long Island.
Speaker 1:I got to big up Long Island soon okay, okay, so tell me about how you got started DJing.
Speaker 2:I, I was in college and I think that's when I really started honing in on my love for music and there was like all these different collectives that are coming out like new age DJs. I also like been in a party, like I feel like I was born in a basement party. That's what I like to joke about. Um, I haven't gone to parties since I was like 13. So like I understand the psychology of the dance for the party and all those things just from being an attendee. So college, you know, we amped it like times 10. So like seeing like the new collectors of DJs and pairing that with like the DJs that I'm familiar with around the way, it would just make me feel like okay, this is possible.
Speaker 2:My dad is also a dj, like as a hobby. So I grew up with him just playing music in the house all the time big sound system, enormous record collection, and that was just like my foundation. So when I decided I really wanted to give it a try, my mom, you know, kind of pushed my dad to teach me how to dj and been going since I graduated college first.
Speaker 1:So like that, like I guess I was a yeah, but get the education Typical Caribbean household right. So in terms of the collectives that kind of inspired you like tell me who you listen to and who you are familiar with from a sound system perspective.
Speaker 2:When I was in college I was listening to like Selection and like Que Kit Renato was still was still coming out and like, because they were DJing in a very different way that I'm used to around the way and they were playing the music that I was into at the time, I kind of felt like, ok, I could fuse these, these two worlds and you know making my own. So those, those are really like the ones that made me feel like, if they could know, like no, no shade, but if they could do it, I could do it too. Growing up, I never really saw women DJs too. That was another thing. It's not to say it wasn't possible, but it wasn't something that I thought about to really take seriously. So I see all these newer DJs coming up, I'm like, okay, well, this is a new world, this is a new landscape. I can try this too, you know.
Speaker 1:And what for you was like that catalyst that you were like, okay, I'm definitely going to do this.
Speaker 2:My friend had a house party and they always knew that I always had like all the Caribbean music on my iPod. Like I just, you know, I download everything I still do to this day. So they always knew like to go to me so like, oh, you know all the songs, just hop on the aux. And I was like on YouTube, going between tabs and I was like the way I was timing it, I was like, wow, you know, I might actually know what I'm doing. This is kind of cool, you know, let me give it a shot. So I was like playing around with virtual DJ and you know, from there I was just like you know, I like so did you learn on like vinyls or from a digital perspective?
Speaker 2:first, First when I was teaching myself, it was on virtual DJ and then when my dad finally started showing me he has like turntables so he was using like Serato vinyl. But like I eventually learned how to use actual vinyl because it was at my disposal. But, I definitely learned on turntables.
Speaker 1:What would you say was the differences between those experiences for you?
Speaker 2:Hmm, like I'm learning on on turntables and versus learning digitally. So when I was teaching myself, I didn't know anything about anything. So I'm like going to like be an age trying to figure out like the tech side of it, like how do I queue it up in my, in my headphones? Before I, you know, because I didn't have like a console or anything to play on, so I was just calling from my computer. The person in the store was kind of confused, like do you mean? But like we found like a headphone splitter or whatever and made it work. But then like my dad showing me how to use it was like to like guide me, so that was helpful. And I also had like DJ homies around the way who was just like explaining the tech side of things and like you know, so I have some context.
Speaker 1:So if your dad was a DJ, why didn't you go to him first, versus trying to learn on your own? What was that?
Speaker 2:I remember when I was a kid I had asked him like cause he used to just be mixing in the basement all the time on the weekends. I was like can you teach me how to DJ? He's like no shade to it, he's like girl, so DJ. And I was like okay, whatever, leave that alone. So I just wanted to try it out. The DJs that I saw coming out again I didn't know the tech side of things, so like I saw them using like Tractor and stuff like that. And when I was explaining that it's like actual I'm not saying actual DJs, it's kind of shady, but like people who use like Serato and stuff like that, they were like I don't know if that's the route you really want to go. So I realized like okay, I was learning the difference between the different types of texts. And then I told my dad I wanted to learn. No, I think I told my mom and she was like hey, she's serious, you know, teacher. So like he kind of like gotten me into it.
Speaker 1:So I guess it was like I don't want to say it was a fear, but I was just like let me, let me try it first, you know at least you, you had your own experience to kind of play off of, when you know you did reach out to him and have him um kind of teach you what he knew. But I'm sure maybe you've surpassed his skill set at this point.
Speaker 2:I mean, I don't want to say that Different worlds, different age.
Speaker 1:Now you touched upon being a female DJ, and we see more of them now than before. A lot of my references are like Jazzy Joyce or Coco Chanel and they were a few even then and then coming into the space now I see so many more women in the space, which I love. What do you think are the key differences in terms of playing styles, particularly when it comes to you being a female and having a certain touch that your male counterparts just don't display?
Speaker 2:Well, first of all, shout out to Jazzy Joyce and Coco Chanel Love them down. Actually, when I was on the radio, I took over Jazzy Joyce's space. It was just like whoa, what the heck? What does this mean? She's all the way up here and I'm just like starting out, so that was like a big deal for me. But, yeah, I think, like, even like to reference those two like they came up, like I study all these people, so like I remember like Coco Chanel saying, like she's in the basement, like somebody was teaching her and she was there for hours trying to learn how to cut and they kept telling her start over, start over, start over, start over.
Speaker 2:And I think when you learn from a man, there's a certain like, rigidness, um, that like makes you really confident on the set too. And I'm not, you know, I'm not saying like if you don't learn from a man, it's not confidence, but it's like because they're just very like what left brain, right brain, whatever it is like you approach it in that way. But I think, when you also pair that with your femininity, your um, your sensuality, and like how you understand music and the way you feel music, I feel like that just is like a superpower. So like knowing like traditional style and then pairing that with like your sensuality and like your taste and understanding what people want to feel. I think that just it's felt every time and I think that's something I've been hearing over the years too.
Speaker 2:It's not to say one is better than the other, but, like with R&B particularly, I'll say like women play R&B better. That's just my opinion. But, you know, because we're, like a lot of us are newer in the game, we're not as like hesitant to take risks and like mix certain things. You know, sometimes I empathize with like a lot of the male DJs because, like they feel like they got to play in a very specific way, like this segment has to go like this, this genre has to go like this. I was like I know you want to break out, just try it.
Speaker 1:You know, like we do it try it so so tell me about your first party experience, where you DJed a party like. What was that like for you?
Speaker 2:um, my first gig was a brunch and I had told my friend like he was doing a brunch series or whatever at, um, what's the place called Woodland, rip to Woodland. Um, and that was like also like a start of a new scene of like event spaces, event curation and stuff like that. So I told him that my dad was showing me how and he just like immediately threw me on a flyer, like oh, you want to spin what? What put you on? I was like I don't even have a DJ name yet. Like um, gabso was just my at name. So like he just threw me on the flyer, I was like, okay, I guess I gotta take this serious.
Speaker 2:Um, so I was practicing and I was working at a um, a startup PR firm, music PR firm, and um, I was kind of like phasing out, like I don't know if I really want to do this. So I had like left the job and the gig was like two weeks after. So I was just like let me just practice, practice for this gig, take myself seriously. And when I got there again I didn't really know much about tech. I learned on turntables like 1200. So, like the space has CDJs. I had no context of that. So I didn't know. This is also a time where you had to use Serato boxes and you know all these chords and this input, this output. I didn't know anything about that. So it was like 10 of us trying to figure out why I wasn't able to connect. And then we finally figured it out. It started going smooth and like my first transitions because it was my first time on CDJs especially, and I was still learning about cue points and all that stuff it was a little choppy, but my selections that was the feedback I got your selections are great. I was like, okay, at least I know the music. So once I got comfortable and I got over the nerves and stuff like that, it got really smooth and I was like, okay, I like the way I mix.
Speaker 2:And then I think one of my second gigs or my next gigs or whatever, my friend that I went to college with and like he used to DJ at all our college parties and I had all his mixtapes and stuff like that and I really, like you know, held him to a high regard in that sense because I'm like you're the new generation but you're playing in a way that's like it's an ode to the older, anyways, it's an ode to the older, anyways. So we were on a gig together and I'm playing like before him and he was just sitting there listening the whole time and when I got off he was like don't change anything that you do, you know. Like you have something that's different, don't change it. And I was like okay, thank you, thank you. I'll never forget that.
Speaker 1:It was like yeah.
Speaker 1:I think that's really great, especially, you know, getting feedback, because you're in such an early stage of your career. It could go like either left or right where someone could tell you to be completely different, because they're used to seeing and hearing something in a different space. You know, like I think that that was great advice that you got at a pivotal time, because if you had gotten, especially from someone who you regard their opinion so highly, if they would have told you something else, then it could have gone a completely different way. So I think that that is amazing, and just to even kind of talk more about that, like, tell me about your style and can you describe your DJing style?
Speaker 2:Hmm, um, on a selection side, I love anything that's soulful and has a good groove, so I could be in any genre. I like mixing genres, but in a way that makes sense or it's not like a car crash or, like you know, like just a jolt into a new space or whatever. That's one thing my dad also told me like don't make your dj sound like popcorn. So like here, there and crackles and transitions just sounded crazy. Um, because I grew up listening to his transitions. I'm very big on like blending and like smooth blending and I also have a background in music. So like I don't I don't necessarily always mix in key, but like it's still gotta make sense. Like I pay attention to the musicality of like the songs that I'm mixing and like how I can make it like the transition, maybe even sound like a new song in between. You know, like certain things like that.
Speaker 2:Um, I love things with a good rhythm, especially like if it's R&B. I'm a 90s baby, so like I love things with a good rhythm, especially like if it's R&B I'm a 90s baby, so like I love all like the Dark Child and like all those type of productions, like with heavy beats, like you know, kind of like blending the hip hop with the R&B. Obviously I'm Caribbean, so like I love rhythm, like dancehall, soca, especially like with a good rhythm, and I like how. I like how I could connect the dots between, like the different genres and like how we're all very similar, like we're different but we're all very similar, so like being able to connect those dots. I feel like that's how I tell my story through my set.
Speaker 1:In terms of like how you play at parties. Do you change the way that you play depending on like the scenes? So you were talking about brunch and then you know hosting big experience events versus like a festival. How do you adjust for those different environments?
Speaker 2:So sometimes, like there are gigs where, like I'm background music and I like those because I could just play whatever I want. I'm not like rocking a crowd, but I'm playing to people who are just listening, that's fun. If I'm in a party, like I have like an hour, two hour set at a party, depending on my slot, like I'm playing to the people but also like being mindful of how to carry the energy, like gradually and like not bring it all the way up here and then you know, lay the next dj to just I don't know be scrambling or just like confused. You know, like I want to make it, make the night make sense. Um, like, if I'm doing a party, I like anthems. Um like mixing in, like songs that everybody may not know but some people may know, so it's like catch up. Um remixes I think that's a way of introducing music to like the remixes. Or like, if you're playing a certain genre party, like I like to mix some like r&b remixes or like a house beat or like a my piano beat or something like that.
Speaker 2:Um, if I'm doing like a festival or something like that, I put a lot more time into my set because I want it to be an experience. Like when I did Afropunk, I wanted to make sure I was hitting certain places. Like I'm hitting my Caribbean heritage, I'm also hitting my like soulful background. I'm delivering messages that I want a larger crowd to hear, fusing a pocket of those songs to like kind of tell a story and tell a message and make people feel more than just listen.
Speaker 2:If I'm doing R&B only, for example, that's definitely more of a production side. So I'm thinking about we have a very tight ship in terms of how we control that show. So it's really an experience. Every set is an experience, but intentionality is very big in that space. So, like, if I'm doing one of those, like a larger production or something like that, I'm very big on that. And then it's cool because I can carry all that into my like the intentionality into like a party space too, so I can kind of bring a different type of experience where if I'm on the mic, I'm saying certain things that you wouldn't necessarily hear in a party all the time. So it just feels like we're connecting nonetheless. That's the biggest thing too. I just want to connect with the people in whatever space it is.
Speaker 1:Do you have a favorite space to play in? It doesn't have to be physically, but like even experience wise.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like spaces where I have the room to perform. So, even if it's not a stage that I could just, like you know, run around and twirl or whatever, it's a space that like they're prepared to hear somebody on a mic, for example. Or like I like spaces where I can perform and really just like take up space that makes sense, you know, and bring people in as well. I think that's a challenge too, not to say it's hard, but it's a challenge to know and bring people in as well. I think that's that's a challenge too, not to say it's hard, but it's a challenge to try to bring people in, to like your world, and that's something I like I've been fine-tuning over the years. Like I'm not gonna play like this person. I may not play like this person and I don't know how I may appear that you may assume I'm gonna. You know, you're gonna experience from my set like let me bring you into this little universe that we got going on for like an hour or however long.
Speaker 1:And in terms of you talked about like breaking new records and artists, is it harder now to break new artists and new music in the club scene holistically?
Speaker 2:It could be a challenge. What I like to do is like pay attention to like before I even get on the set.
Speaker 2:I'm paying attention to what people listening to online what's trending, what's starting to bubble, what people are talking about in conversation, like a great example is for Campe I think I'm saying that correctly that new compas song. I learned about that song in an Uber. My driver was Haitian. He was like I told him I was a DJ, he's like oh, you have to know this song, you have to know this. And I played it back in January and I think that was the first song I opened with at a set that I did and I think people received it because it was Compa, but I don't think everybody knew about it yet.
Speaker 2:Fast forward to now. That's one of the biggest songs right now. Yeah, so I'm like, let me trust my intuition if I know like this is going to be something, and like another artist that I play I like to introduce into these spaces because, like you may know what in trinidad or in the caribbean, whatever, like kutain is one, and I think, like those artists are like if you know, you know, and it kind of like speaks to like a pocket of people and it catches the attention of somebody else, like what is this that I don't know about yet. But I think also like sandwiching songs, like even if nobody knows about like sandwiching songs, to like create a context for it. They're already having a good time for these three songs that I'm playing and I just squeeze it into, like in between, that they're already on a certain level.
Speaker 1:Now I just play a song afterwards that they're more familiar with. So I was like, okay, like I'm here for it. I just did a podcast and we were talking about like music discovery and how much you know that the there's so much volume of new music and then the way we discover new music has changed. And I was actually just watching a documentary it was was with David Rodigan and they were talking about, you know, at that time reggae and dancehall wasn't really playing on the radio, so you had to go to dancehall spaces to hear new music and for the most part, that's a lot of what you heard is just new music. Part, that's a lot of what you heard is just new music.
Speaker 1:Like it's fresh in my mind that the space has changed so much and how we party has changed. Even in the last 30 years it's been changed so much. So I think a lot of people now they go out to listen for their favorite songs that they already have played, versus going with an open ear. So I kind of like think about like that space now, like in terms of new music and introduction, I feel like it's very separate. It's either you're going to an event to hear new music, or you're going to an event to experience the music you already love and what does that mean for both settings?
Speaker 2:so I don't know if you have any thoughts yeah, and honestly, like when I first started DJing, I didn't automatically like start spending in like a Caribbean space. I was kind of like the new transplant, new Brooklyn, kind of you know eclectic crowd or whatever, and I got to experiment a lot in those spaces. But one thing that I noticed, even just being from a party goer, like same thing with like before I started DJing I'm like there's an absence of Caribbean music and modern Caribbean music. Like we're just as present here. We didn't stop making music in the 2000s. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:I know everybody has like their nostalgia with Diwali rhythm and Bookshelf and all them kind of things. But like there's so much great music and there's these same artists are listening to this. We're all listening to the same stuff. So like let's incorporate each other. And being in those spaces, like even to this day, like I love it because I can, like I said, I can experiment and I can be open format, as people say.
Speaker 2:But I also like come from a Caribbean space and I'll play in those spaces and there's certain songs that everybody knows. So if I go in that space they're probably only still going to go up to like no Letting Go by Wayne Wonder. You know what I'm saying, but like I'm going to take the risk to play the songs that y'all should know by now, like Catch Up respectfully as to my Own Horn, I've noticed in the space like more people are starting to play Soca. That was something that was never played. Now I'm like, oh, I remember when I was the only person playing the song and I was like okay, well, now that y'all know these five songs, here's another five to start incorporating in a regular circuit. You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 1:Yes, and even now I see a lot of and I don't know if it just surged because of COVID, but I see them now and I enjoy them myself but more of the setup around um DJs making mixes online and you know, they're kind of the stars with their friends either behind them or with them partying. It's like that boiler room type setup. Um, that has become extremely popular. But I I also wonder, even when I'm watching, I'm like is this good editing or is this good actually good partying? Like, is it a mix of both? Like, give me the deets, because I feel like everybody's having this grand, amazing time and I'm like I've never one been to a. I'm also I don't go out as much as I used to, but I've never been to a party where they play these mashups and I've never seen all of the reactions that I'm seeing online. I see them more online than I see in person, but that might just be me.
Speaker 2:There's a lot to unpack there for sure, because I've done them and I've had a good time doing them and, like I said, like I like to blend the worlds that I come from so like I can have the context of what they do there, but like I'm going to still be myself and be like a real DJ, so to speak, in that space. You know, I love a good mashup, I love a good edit, but I think, like things become like commodified with social media over the years and it's like I think sometimes we lose the art of how to infuse these things. Like I also listen to what the people are saying. I don't think everybody really wants to hear a whole hour full of mashups and edits. You know, like people actually like let the music breathe. People spend so much time creating this music. Let it breathe, you know. But I think, like in those settings, some of them are really cool and I think like there's been like an influx of new ones. I was like kind of copy and paste, respectfully, and it's like at the same time, it's like have fun with your friends. I'm not knocking that, you know what I'm saying. Create something, whatever.
Speaker 2:But I think, like this, we are a very chronically online generation now, where it's like and I forget that, like not everybody's from like a metropolitan city or like a super high energy party city, so they're watching these things to feel included. We go outside, you're living in a city that only has one club, you know what I'm saying. So like, oh, I want to be a part of this thing, so that's how you assume it is in Brooklyn or in Miami or LA, whatever the case may be, and I think it kind of like creates an expectation before people get into the actual experience, and I think that takes away from the specialness of a buildup of a night, and there are people who do it very well. There are people who have audiences who specifically want to hear that type of stuff, which is cool too. Like everybody has their own audience, you know, but I think like part of it is and this is just my hot take I feel like we're in a generation where everybody just wants to be seen so badly and some of the reactions do seem a little scripted or seem a little over exaggerated because of the good editing. They know that it's going to be edited post-production, cool. At the same time, it's like let people enjoy things.
Speaker 2:But in terms of a party experience, you can't necessarily expect that, because people still just want to have a good time. And I don't know I'm. I'm also like biased because, like I'm one of the people who don't necessarily want a lot of people in the dj booth, like I'd rather y'all be out on the dance floor. It's not because I don't want you showing me love, it's like I'd rather y'all be out on the dance floor. This is, this is where you're supposed to be. You know, I'm saying, like why are we crowding around?
Speaker 1:you know, that's.
Speaker 2:This is my thing. I think it'd be cooler to see like people in the front, like you know, in front of the dj booth and you see them actually and engaging with each other, rather than just, like you know, making sure they look cute on camera because, like, I think that also like inhibits people's freeness. You know, this is one clip of like um kate shonada at a boiler room and this artist's name, I think john doe. Um, she's like kind of pop locking and stuff like that, and it went viral and people like laughing at her. But I'm like at least she's, she's not like just, you know she's having a good time. Those are the type of people you need around you know what I'm saying she would be doing the same thing on the dance floor.
Speaker 2:you know, yeah, so that's that's just how I feel.
Speaker 2:No-transcript. Um. So we ting. Um I started that right after the pandemic.
Speaker 2:Um, like I said, I was like kind of bored into a basement party, like my parents always had parties like in the basement or in the backyard, like labor day barbecues and stuff like that. My mother they barbecues, and that's where I come from. Like the hospitality aspect of it being trinity, like there's a certain level of like hospitality that you experience in fETs, particularly in Trinidad. That like I don't necessarily always feel in America, like there's so many Caribbean parties, but like the, the welcomeness and like the you're taken care of aspect of it, I feel like that's important to remember. That's a that's an important part of who we are too. You know the music is very important, but like that's also it too's an important part of who we are too. You know the music is very important, but like that's also it too, that's the essence of who we are. The same way, um, so I started that so that I could kind of create that like a backyard party kind of vibe. Um, I like curating things, so I like pulling people. That I know like will create a vibe that I know will kind of like be very cohesive and, you know, feel like a nice flow through the night and people who actually want to be there and like who have the same love of like exchanging music and energy with people, especially through Caribbean music, and also, like I wanted to incorporate, you know, the diaspora in general. Like people who play my piano, people who are playing Afro beats, people are playing like Dumbo and all that type of stuff, because I grew up in New York and that's what I grew up around. Like Puerto Rican people are craving people too. You know like I have a lot of Puerto Rican people in my family as well.
Speaker 2:So, like all these music you know you have, like I come from the era of like Nina Sky and like doing vibes, cartel features, like this was all a thing that I think we forgot about with the Diaspora Wars and I want it to be like. The purpose of like we ting is like it's we, it's all of we, you know it's our ting, you know let's stop fighting and let's really like appreciate this thing that we have here. So now I'm in a process of like exploring how I can branch out of it just being a party and like different community initiatives or just ways that we can gather as a people and connect the dots and connect the diaspora, especially like people who don't necessarily get to experience the culture back home If they are of Caribbean descent. I want to kind of like offer experiences that they can, you know, feel. You know that a lot of people have like family situations or whatever the case, where they feel disconnected from the places their family comes from. So, like I want to try to like find ways that we can bridge those gaps.
Speaker 2:Um, so that was long-winded, but um, rhythm and soul is kind of like a little cousin of that, where it started off as like me just doing mixtapes of like, like blending the genres and stuff like that would be like r&b or r&b sounding afro beats, r&b sounding soca and stuff like that, and I made it into a media platform where now I'm doing interviews and conversations with people that I feel are kind of like left of center, who may like make these traditional genres of Caribbean music but like are also very much like myself or like my peers in New York. You know who we listen to, the same type of music we have. We draw from different influences, but we're also very rooted in our culture and just telling the stories and having those conversations around that and their influences and stuff like that, and also just like creating a playlist to contextualize these types of sounds. And with Auntie's House I come from, like I said, my dad used to play music on Saturdays all the time. Like I'm very much an old soul, like, and now I'm getting older, I'm like maybe I can't call myself that anymore Cause I'm actually getting older Um, but like I grew up with like seventies music and like sitting singing in the basement with my dad and all these, like Patrice Russian and like you know, know stylistics and all these people.
Speaker 2:But also like I love R&B and there's so many pockets of R&B that like we don't necessarily get to hear in a party because, like I don't know if everybody knows this type of stuff, I don't know if everybody grew up on this type of stuff. So, um and past R&B, like reggae, you know we don't hear a lot of like classic reggae in parties anymore. I don't think we have a lot of like reggae parties, like we have dancehall, but it's not a lot of reggae parties that are in a way that speaks to the way that we grew up with it. Not necessarily like these are the classics, you know it's like you know you're in a backyard party, like there's certain songs that get played, like I want to create that feeling in everything that I do, like bring back a feeling and Auntie's House is really just like a safe space for everybody who just loves nostalgic music and, just like you know, also may want to be home a little earlier.
Speaker 2:Like we're not going to be out all night. It's not ending at four in the morning. You're going to get home at a decent hour. You know what I'm saying Get your little wine, whatever the case is, get your two-step in, sing any songs and go home and feel good Like I. Like it's how I want Sundays to feel. That's how I grew up with my Sundays feeling. So I just want to create a space for people to feel that too.
Speaker 1:I love it. So how do you balance all of these creative outlets?
Speaker 2:Ooh, that's a good question.
Speaker 1:No, I'm joking.
Speaker 2:Um, now I'm in a space where I'm like being open to asking for help and also like remembering the fun of it. Like, yeah, this is a project, but like remember why you're, why you know, and not be so rigid about it. And also just like finding ways to like organize myself better and like time things out and not feel like I have to pack my month up with so many things all the time. Like I'm very okay with like the bigger picture and like there's no rush. I could spread things out. These are my ideas. There's no deadline that you know is necessarily being impended on me. I create these rules, so, like, with that, how do I want to experience it, how do I want to spread it out?
Speaker 1:and like, yeah, I think that's, that's what I'm learning right now tell me about some of the caribbean and non-caribbean artists that you are listening to right now um, I'm still very much like on asoka High from Carnival this year.
Speaker 2:So, like I love, like I said I love Kutain. That's like one of the upcoming artists out of Trinidad. Um, I like, hmm, who am I listening to? I don't see, I'm not gonna lie. I've been listening to a lot of like throwback stuff and I'm like, let me get back into the mix. Coco Jones has a really good album out. Um, so does Leon Thomas. I have like random playlists. There's a lot of my piano stuff that I cannot even pronounce. I'm not even going to try to, but I have a whole playlist when I just want to get in that zone. Who else am I listening to? There's a bunch. I gotta go through my stuff. But yeah, I feel like I'm go through my stuff, but yeah, I'm trying to think I feel like I'm forgetting somebody and that kind of sucks that always happens.
Speaker 1:You like drawing a blank with you in terms of logistics and organization. What is something that that people don't understand or underestimate about being a DJ?
Speaker 2:The things you don't see. Like behind the scenes there's a lot of doubt. Sometimes. There's a lot of resilience that you have to develop and I think that comes with just being an entrepreneur in general and an artist. You have to be prepared to not take things so personal, because everybody in this ecosystem has their own agendas, and I don't mean like in a negative way, but like, let's say, a promoter. They understand their timeline for when they want to throw events or how to space out who they want to book or whatever the case may be. When they want to throw events or how to space out who they want to book or whatever the case may be, venues may be going through issues on a financial side where they're not trying to, you know, book as many people or pay as many people.
Speaker 2:Sometimes, like your peers, may not have the capacity to take on certain things or to engage with you or have conversations. You know, or to engage with you or have conversations. You know, just like everybody has a lot going on and I think, like we're in a time, especially the state of the world right now, there's a lot going on at all times. I think having the grace to understand that like this is a marathon, not a race. Yes, like the shiny things that we like to see, the whole booked and busy. I'm personally, like you don't have to say that Like this is part of my job. I'm very blessed, I give thanks, but also, like you may not know what somebody's going through Like this may be like to pay their bills. You know what I'm saying. Like this is just thankful. You know it's not like a flex.
Speaker 2:Also, on the other side, like I don't always want to talk about dj stuff, like I just like music. You know I don't want to talk about what gigs I have coming up. I like to talk about, like this, the nerdy stuff about music, like this era and this pocket and what they did with this drum and stuff like that. Like I know people are talking to producers about that, but we're music nerds. The same way, I also think this is very much like a it's a very competitive space and like the act of DJing is like getting easier. But like I think we have a very unique career. I guess you could say where like I don't want to say brand, because I hate that word, but like you're really creating a brand essentially around who you are as a person. You know we have influencers these days, but this is like a bit different because it's like an actual interest and like a hobby that turned into a career. Like I don't necessarily always know how to give advice when it comes to like DJ things.
Speaker 2:Sometimes it's like this is really like personal journey stuff, like I'm very spiritually inclined and like I don't remove God from anything that I do and I feel like that's what got me to this place. Not networking, not cold email All those things are cool, but a lot of it is praying and just making sure I keep my spirit clean and I'm around good people and I have discernment and stuff like that. I think that's the biggest part of it too, that a lot of people don't really see Cause, like it could feel like very mechanical, like transactional, but like that I don't subscribe to that, you know personally, and I like to have a community of people who feel the same way. So I know it's long winded, but I hope that answers the question.
Speaker 1:No, I feel like the next question I'm going to ask you. You'll make it even more long winded or maybe short. You talk a lot about alignment. What do you believe that your purpose is in your mission right now? I'm going to say right now because I feel like your lifespan is long, so right now is the focus.
Speaker 2:To spread love and be an example of love, and I think that's what we're all here to do essentially. I guess I'm another reminder of that, and my medium is music and words or storytelling more so, I'd like to say, right now, I think that's what I'm here to do. I'm still discovering new ways of doing so, because music and DJing was my first avenue. I feel like I knew that from the start. Djing is a first step to everything else that I want to do. It's just a space for me to gain confidence, for me to put myself out there.
Speaker 2:I was very shy, like I always had a lot of friends, I was always in a mix, but like me being on the spotlight, like I like to be behind the scenes or like real quick on the stage, do my little one, two and then, you know, leave. Yeah, I think I'm here to show that and like, remind people, like that authenticity is okay, you don't have to try to be authentic, you just are Like that's all part of your self-journey. And yeah, I think that's where I'm at right now.
Speaker 1:Any advice for someone younger starting out right now?
Speaker 2:Take your time. Try not to be so anxious about the future, you know, because you're gonna look up and then you'll see everything happen and you're like, oh shoot, like I spent all this time worrying I could have been enjoying the process. Um, enjoy the process you know, yes, even now I'll be like that.
Speaker 1:I did a lot, but I'm like I didn't even get to enjoy it like, yeah, how do you stay in the moment, like you know, reminding yourself about that? I feel like that's a constant thing, a state of like when you reflect, you kind of look back and say, yeah, I did those things. Then you're like wait a minute, I didn't enjoy it. How do you proactively stay in the moment and try to enjoy what's right in front of you?
Speaker 2:I thank God. Gratitude I reflect a lot, like I spend a lot of time by myself. Just, you know, contrary to what it may seem, I know I'm around a lot of people, but I spend a lot of time by myself Just reflecting. Journaling also helps. I need to do that a bit more, like sometimes I'll do like a video journal. I'll just dump it all out, everything that I feel, and connect those dots as I'm speaking. Yeah, I think those are the main things, just gratitude at the very root, and sometimes it's hard because I think I have a better grip on my anxiousness.
Speaker 2:Sometimes, being a woman, there's different hormonal levels of emotions and stuff like that. So like, understanding the ebbs and flow of my life and my emotions, I think has left me a lot more grounded. Like, ok, feel your stuff. If you're anxious right now, know it's going to be you and be fine next week, you know. Just like, remember that you're going to be OK. You know and remember that like you're on the right path. And remember that like you're on the right path, control your thoughts a bit more. So like you're not taking anything personally or you're not like not understanding where you are presently, something is going to come. Like, this too shall pass, I suppose. And just like, when the sunshine does come after the rain, it's like oh, wow, like, ok, if I continue to just move down this path, I'll be all right. Like everything, everything's going to be fine, more good things will continue to come to me. So, like, let me trust that that's, that's my path. You know that's how this goes. I hope that answers the question.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, it does, it does. Thank you so much. Um last question what are you?
Speaker 2:excited for that you're working on. I am excited about auntie's house because I finally finally have, like I found a space for like a residency that feels aligned with it and just feeling more sure of like my, my audience, or like me being able to stay true to myself. I think it's something that I struggle with because I was like I don't know if everybody's going to like this Like. I think I struggled with that a lot in the past, but now, like just actually putting like momentum behind my own ideas is something that I'm excited about. Same thing with Rhythm and Soul and just like trying to align more interviews and conversations to like you know, not not for my own sake, but like to tell the stories that I feel like are important.
Speaker 1:Well, that's awesome. I feel like this calm nature talking to you in terms of you have like this Zen spirit about you. So I'm excited to see what you have coming up and I'll most definitely now that it's warming up I can most definitely make it out.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:To maybe one of the aunties events and somebody told me recently I'm an auntie.
Speaker 2:Yes, I love it.
Speaker 1:I was like, as long as you put Rich before it, I'm fine.
Speaker 2:I'm fine. Thank you, fine, whatever.
Speaker 1:Exactly All right. Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate you coming on, gab. Tell the people, then, where they can find you.
Speaker 2:You can find me on Instagram at GabSoul, underscore. I'm also on TikTok. You know talking crap. Soundcloud is Gab-Soul. Have some mixes on apple music too. Just google, I mean google good search capsule, um, and yeah, I'll be around here there, everyone.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. We appreciate you for being on the podcast and look forward to all the things that you have coming up. Uh, we'll be sure to put everything in the show notes, and until next time, leah Tummy Peeps.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much. I appreciate you Take care. Bye.
