While most girls in their late teens are still wondering what their future holds, 18-year-old Gabrielle Aplin has already built a profession, that has got off to a flying start.
The singer-songwriter from Bath, whose music career started when she was just 16, launched herself into the limelight via video sharing website You Tube. Gabrielle, who would self-record videos of herself singing covers and then post them on the internet for others to watch, quickly picked up a phenomenal following. Today, the singer is an online sensation.
With more than three million plays on You Tube, over 510,000 views on Myspace, along with a successful debut EP that peaked at number 12 in the iTunes pop chart, Gabrielle has certainly done well for herself. “I never thought that it would lead to all of this,” she admits: “I thought it [You Tube] would play a part in getting my music out there, but never thought it would be the main drive in people hearing my music.”
Citing her influences as Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake and Carole King, Gabrielle, who plays both piano and guitar, describes her music as “pop with an acoustic/folk sound to it.” However, she is quick to add: “I like to use real instruments as opposed to electronic sounds, and create great melodies for people to sing along to.”
The rising star is preparing to embark on her second UK headline tour, which kicks off in Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on Sun 21 Nov. Despite this being her first show since the release of her Acoustic EP in September and her debut performance in Wales, Gabrielle insists that she isn’t nervous: “I am excited to be able to perform in Wales. My fans have been asking me to come for such a long time and I am glad I am finally performing at Clwb Ifor Bach.”
Gabrielle gave us an exclusive insight into what we can expect from her live show: “My show will be mostly originals from both my Acoustic EP and some new songs I have been working on, but there will be a couple of my most popular covers in there too for the fans” she says.
When asked why people should come and watch her perform at Clwb Ifor Bach, the talented teen offered a simple yet modest response: “Hopefully if they like what they have seen online, then they will get to see me in a venue playing chilled out music for them to enjoy.”
Whether through touring or technology, the singer explains how she thinks it is extremely important to always stay in contact with fans; after all, they are the reason that she has got to where she is today: “You need to give them something to keep them interested and interact with them to have that personal connection” she says. “It is also important to use all the different social network sites like You Tube for videos, Form Spring for Q&As, uStream for web-chats and more – that way the fans can feel like they are a part of what you are doing” she explains.
So, what’s next for an artist who has managed to achieve so much without the help of a record label? “For the next month, I am focusing on the new tour which takes me all around the UK. Then I will be focusing on writing and recording material to develop my sound, with the hope of releasing a full album at some point in 2011.”
Gabrielle Aplin’s headline show at Clwb Ifor Bach, Sun 21 Nov, 7pm. Tickets: £5/£7. For more info and to book tickets, click here.