BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“Every generation and decade has been through relationship and love issues. As a songwriter/singer, it’s my job to create music that relates to every generation while maintaining a modern feel to it,” Gabriella Koachella.
It is so refreshing to see an artist that puts herself out there musically, ready to show the world what she’s got. She calls New York home and has ties to the Caribbean. Both cultures have influenced her body of work. At times her Jamaican heritage shines through more and the songstress has cleverly found ways to weave these nuances in with creativity.
I took some time to listen to the vibrant songstress and New York’s own, Drip Queen Gabriella Koachella, who most recently dropped her latest single, “Fussin + Fighting.” It left me with a taste reminiscent of Motown’s early years, yet it had a very contemporary feel to it. Anyone who has had a chance to experience classic crooners such as Evelyn “Champagne” King, or Teena Marie, can speak on a time in musical history when there was a perfect storm of music.
Gabriella has brought back what is known as an unheralded golden age of song writing, production and performance. Her voice is an effortless fusion of soul and R&B, and she can easily be compared to musical divas such as: Summer Walker and SZA. Her song writing aptitude shines brightly in her latest single by tapping into that golden age.
Her power is her embodied confidence. Gabriella isn’t bashful when it comes to expressing herself or sharing her emotions with her audience. She tells it like it is when it comes to love, including the trials and the tribulations, the good times and the bad, raw, and keeping it real throughout.
I had a chance to interview Gabriella, and we spoke briefly about her cultural influences, and why she chooses to write and release, “Fussin + Fighting.” “I enjoy all kinds of music,” Gabriella tells me. “This is actually the first song that I have ever written. It took me two hours to write, and I was inspired by: my relationship challenges, my friend’s relationship challenges, and stories that I hear around the way.”
At this point, I had not heard her song, but listening to her unique speaking voice, you could tell that there was something different about her style. “Normally, people will not listen to advice, especially from people they don’t know, so you got to be creative in the manner that you deliver it in, and my latest music embodies that idea,”
Gabrielle speaks warmly about her grandmother, who she says has a heavy influence on her musical creativity. She also credits her team for helping her build her platform. “My team shares information with each other. It is a learning experience for all of us. For us, education is a stepping-stone, and we take the time to learn from each other, and from our own individual stories. I have to credit Krystle Nicole, who taught me how to conduct myself in the music industry. It can be a tough industry to crack if you don’t have guidance.”
This young woman’s future looks bright. She continues to work on her music, and during this lockdown period, she has been creating and putting her thoughts on paper. “It has given me some time to really take a look at myself,” she tells me.
Gabriella most recently released another song that focuses on introspection. The poetic nature of making, having, and keeping connections flows deep and leaves a lasting impact. Gabriella not only makes songs that are real and transparent, her words are educational to new lovers and seasoned lovers. She sings with the purpose of educating others, not only about themselves, but how they interact with their world.
Do you have to find a way to communicate your feelings to a loved one? Sometimes the best way to do it is with the soothing sound of music. Why not give it a try? Check out ,”Fussin + Fighting,” at https://audiomack.com/song/gabriella-kochella/fussin-fighting-gabriella-kochella