Meet Gabi Sklar | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabi Sklar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabi, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I pour so much of myself into my art, not only because I hold every lyric close to my heart, but because the experience of making each song is incredibly fulfilling. I write all my music with a team of Swedes– Anton, Isabella and Lara– that have become close friends of mine. Every time I walk into the studio, I know I’m going to laugh, cry (half of the time from laughter), eat way too many Napoletano wood-fired pizzas under the stars and string lights in the beautifully quant landscape of Tarzana and eventually, drive home with the windows down listening to a demo or two for the first time on maxed-out volume. To say the least, I leave every session feeling blessed and very… “full”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since the age of seven, I’d come home from school every day, eyeing a dusty, hand-me-down, out-of-key piano I desperately wanted to play but didn’t know how. As I began attempting to transcribe the notes playing in my thoughts to the ivory keys themselves, I eventually paired these melodies with lyrics (unknowing of their meaning or the feelings associated, but ones I thought sounded like a melancholy daydream). Progressing as a songwriter, there were always challenges that sprang up. At first, I was “too young” for the sophisticated content I was writing about. This was likely due to my musical influences at the time being Lana Del Rey and Gavin DeGraw. But the people who were trying to understand me were the same people boxing me in as a Disney typecast. Once I matured, my voice needed proper coaching as well and what better mentor than coach to the stars, Don Lawrence (a recommendation from the same record label who rejected me at the time.) As I focused on the factors that separated me as an artist, I was told by a label executive, one I identify as the man who scoffed in my face about the artist they had signed for five million dollars just five minutes before my meeting, “When you have a million followers, give me a call and I’ll give you a million dollars.” By the age of 17, I had been told “no” more times a week than hours I was spending on college applications. Now, into my twenties, I am my own team; writing every song and music video treatment, directing and funding my music releases, playing the role of a hair, makeup and stylist on carpets and shoots, keeping up with weekly vocal lessons for the past ten years, planning and posting daily to the millions of followers whose trust I’ve worked so hard to earn — and I am fully confident in my role as a young female artist navigating the industry. Yet, I am still faced with problems in my career as an independent artist. Each “no” has been a testament to my evolution. When new challenges arise, it’s just a sign you’ve leveled up.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I have a free weekend in New York, I’m spending it in Williamsburg starting with the essentials: caffeine and thrifting. Our journey would likely begin at Nippon Cha or Kijitora for a refreshing matcha with the weather ideally being a sunny 73 degree day with a slight breeze from the neighboring waterfront. We’d then walk over to 10 ft. By Stella Dallas for a little shopping followed by brunch at Baby Blues Luncheonette. We’d take a curious peak into the Artists and Flees Market and waste time laughing, getting our steps in and taking in the sun. The day almost always ends with a sweet treat, especially from Donut Plant, and cinematic views of the city skyline across the water… the night however begins with a ferry ride into Manhattan disappearing into a Saturday sunset.

If me and my girls are in Miami, we’d start the morning with a Casa Vinyasa Yoga class. We’d then hit my favorite cafe in Coral Gables, Madruga (pro-tip: get the chicken salad on fruit bread and an iced matcha with honey and cinnamon.) We may stop by and say hello to my friends at University of Miami while strolling by the law school for the view (that’s also where all the cats hang out.)
Before continuing our adventuring across town, we might grab a juice at Raw Juice and make our way down the I-95 to Nikki Beach for sunbathing by the beach with fresh coconuts and people watching– a highlight of South Beach in my opinion. Later in the evening, we’d make our way to 1-800-Lucky for drinks and bites or possibly end the night at Lagniappe for wine, live jazz, more people watching and the perfect spot for cards and a recap of the day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my SupaSklars for being fans since day one, my manager for believing in me before I believed in myself and my family for supporting the dreamer in me since I was a little girl. A flower is always meant to grow a flower but needs good soil to blossom from it’s roots.

Website: https://www.gabisklar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabisklar/?hl=en

Twitter: https://x.com/gabisklar?lang=en

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gabisklar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabisklarofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabisklar

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabisklar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/72K82D7yyKc8TZ45IZvPrj
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gabi-sklar/1292860652
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B07663MNJJ/gabi-sklar?ref=dm_ff_tracklists

Image Credits
(for first image with pink backdrop and boa ONLY) Kendra Frankle