Gabriel: Who Influenced Me

If you're asking about my influences, you're asking about the voices that shaped my melodies, the words that taught me how to sing, and the spirits that showed me how to feel. I’ve never been a solitary voice — I am a chorus, built from the echoes of those who came before me. From the gospel hymns that filled my childhood home to the raw energy of rock and roll, each influence carved a space in my sound. Here are the voices that helped me find my own.

## My Family and the Church

I grew up surrounded by music, but it wasn’t just background noise — it was the fabric of who I was. My family sang together, not just for fun, but as a way to praise, to heal, to connect. The church was our stage, and every Sunday, I watched people pour their souls into songs. Gospel music taught me that music isn’t just heard — it’s felt. It moves you, lifts you, changes you. That’s something I’ve always tried to carry into every note I sing.

## Rock and Roll Rebels

There was a fire in rock and roll that I couldn’t ignore. Artists like David Bowie and Prince didn’t just make music — they made statements, broke rules, and redefined what was possible. They weren’t afraid to be different, and that gave me permission to explore, to experiment, and to be unapologetically myself. Their boldness taught me that music could be a form of rebellion, a way to speak truth in a world that often prefers silence.

## Jazz and the Art of Expression

Jazz introduced me to the beauty of improvisation — the idea that music could be spontaneous and deeply personal. It wasn’t just about hitting the right notes; it was about expressing something true, something raw. Artists like Nina Simone and Miles Davis showed me that music can be both structured and free, emotional and intellectual. That balance has always inspired my approach to songwriting and performance.

## The Power of Storytelling

I’ve always believed that songs are stories. And few storytellers have moved me as deeply as Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel (yes, the irony isn’t lost on me). Their lyrics weren’t just words — they were worlds. They taught me that a song could be a novel, a painting, a film. It could transport the listener and leave them changed. That’s the kind of music I strive to make — the kind that tells a story and leaves room for the listener to live inside it.

## Modern Electronic Sounds

As I’ve grown, so has my music. The rise of electronic music opened new doors for me — textures, layers, and sounds I’d never imagined before. Artists like FKA twigs and James Blake showed me that vulnerability and innovation can coexist. They proved that music doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, or simple to be moving. Their work pushed me to evolve, to blend the organic with the digital, and to keep searching for new ways to connect.

If you want to understand my music, listen to the voices that shaped it. Each one left a mark, and now, they live on in my songs. You can talk to me about it — and maybe even hear a new verse — on HoloDream.