Suffolk based Indie singer-songwriter Gabby Rivers shares another look at her much anticipated upcoming EP Disappointed But Not Surprised with the release of the elegant, moody and multi-faceted new single ‘Money Maker’.
The follow up to the explosive first release from the EP, ‘Two Face’, ‘Money Maker’ see’s Gabby exercise the atmospheric, Dreampop, Shoe-gaze and even light Hip-hop influenced side of her repertoire. Opening with an atmospheric wash of guitar which gradually grows into subtle electronics and glitches before introducing the track’s infectious guitar and bass riff, the track wastes no time setting an ethereal, alternative tone.
Growing through its atmospheric, reverb tinted production the track’s crunching, boxy electronic beat pulls the track forward, adding a hip-hop undertone as Gabby’s silky, brilliantly relaxed and affecting lead vocal floats above the multi-faceted nature of the soundscape. As the track reaches the second verse, guest rapper $ebbuku drops an expressive, intense flow, building the track before it flows back into the infectious melodies and intricate instrumentation of the chorus once more.
Speaking about the single Gabby explains: “Money maker is a track written about the struggles of being an independent artist in the music industry. After lockdown hit there was a huge increase in studio time, venue hire, Music equipment, band rehearsal rooms. And for an independent artist as myself the whole being an artist thing felt so out of reach and I didn’t know what to do. I decided to write the song as a coping mechanism and to make me realise the reason I do it is because I love it. The chorus section where it goes La La La La La is a symbol to myself trying to push through all of the negativity.
We always wanted a rapper on it, someone who can put their emotions through a song. What better person to do that then $ebbuku – His talent has always really stood out to me and I’m so inspired by him and the emotion he puts into his songs and he fitted in so well to the song.
The song is heavily inspired by the news in lockdown just constantly being negative and not supporting creatives – especially the government saying creatives needed to start to retrain. It is almost like a rebel track against the idea of a ‘normal life’, making a point that being a musician is a job.”
At just 20 years old, Gabby Rivers has been making waves on the local scene, appearing on festival lineups including Latitude, Reading and Leeds, Secret Garden Party, Wildpaths Music Festival. Backed by a talented 5-piece band, Gabby has gone from strength to strength, picking up support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6 Music, opening for the likes of Vistas, Coach Party and Tiny Umbrellas and building a feverish following.
