The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as indie singer-songwriter Gabby Rivers, hailing from Suffolk, treats her eager fans to another glimpse of her forthcoming EP, ‘Disappointed But Not Surprised.’ With the release of the elegant, moody, and multi-faceted single ‘Money Maker,’ Rivers continues to carve her niche in the music world.
Following the explosive debut of ‘Two Face’ from the EP, ‘Money Maker’ showcases a different facet of Gabby’s talent, delving into atmospheric, Dreampop, Shoe-gaze, and even light Hip-hop influences. The track kicks off with an atmospheric guitar wash that gradually evolves into subtle electronic elements and glitches, setting an ethereal and alternative tone right from the start.
As the song unfolds, the crunching, boxy electronic beat takes center stage, infusing a hip-hop undertone, while Gabby’s silky, effortlessly relaxed lead vocals float above the intricate soundscape. In the second verse, guest rapper $ebbuku delivers an expressive and intense flow, elevating the track before it seamlessly transitions back into the infectious melodies and intricate instrumentation of the chorus.
Explaining the inspiration behind ‘Money Maker,’ Gabby Rivers reveals, “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 like 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 remind myself that I do it because I love it. The chorus section where it goes ‘La La La La La’ symbolizes my attempt to push through all the negativity.”
The addition of rapper $ebbuku was a natural fit for the track. Gabby elaborates, “We always wanted a rapper on it, someone who can put their emotions through a song. What better person to do that than $ebbuku? His talent has always stood out to me, and I’m so inspired by him and the emotion he puts into his songs. He fit into the song seamlessly.”
‘Money Maker’ also serves as a response to the challenging times faced by creatives during lockdown, with Gabby sharing, “The song is heavily inspired by the news during lockdown, which was constantly negative and not supportive of creatives. Especially the government’s suggestion that creatives needed to start retraining. It’s 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 substantial waves in the local music scene. She has graced the stages of prominent festivals, including Latitude, Reading and Leeds, Secret Garden Party, and Wildpaths Music Festival. Backed by a talented 5-piece band, Gabby has garnered support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6 Music, and various other platforms.
With each release, Gabby Rivers continues to ascend as an artist, and her eagerly awaited EP promises to be a pivotal moment in her blossoming career.