A Dirty Dozen with ERIN GIBNEY – January 2025

Photo credit: Stephen Goth

According to a recent press release: “In life, art, and love, Erin Gibney is learning who she is and what she wants, and that she won’t settle for anything less. Recent experiences — her first big breakup, forging deeper connections with her fans through social media, watching artists she admires release exceptionally personal albums — have left her emboldened to share her truths as she creates new music. Gibney has several new singles ready to share with those fans. In 2025, she will release “not something i’ve told my friends” (produced by Paul Ebersold and co-written with Landon Austin), and then a pair of songs she worked on with Cameron McClaren in the production seat will be released: “Leave the Pieces” (a cover of The Wreckers’ song and a longtime Gibney favorite) and “wasted potential” (co-written with Alex Angelo).” We get Erin to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

My new single, “not something i’ve told my friends,” is a story about going back to your ex when you know you shouldn’t. It actually does have a hidden nugget that most people may miss! The song is tied to the same story as my previous release, “by june,” and next release, “wasted potential.” These songs tell the story of a breakup in chronological order. “by june” is that initial feeling of heartbreak and fear that you won’t ever move on from the relationship. “not something i’ve told my friends” is the stage where you go back to your ex, break no contact, and revisit your heartbreak all over again. “wasted potential” is the stage where you accept that the relationship is really over and come to terms with losing the person you thought you would be with forever.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I always grew up around music. My dad played the guitar growing up, so it was something I was introduced to at a really young age. I started taking writing and performing seriously when I got into high school, and from the first time I ever played on stage, I knew it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Absolutely! When I heard Speak Now by Taylor Swift, I knew that record modeled the type of music I wanted to make. I loved the pop-country feel of it and how understood it made me feel as a teenage girl. The songs on that album have influenced me to be as honest and open as possible in my music.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would love to collaborate with Kelsea Ballerini! She has been a huge inspiration to me and has influenced my career in so many ways. Like Taylor, I love her ability to be raw and real in her music.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

My favorite activity is reading. It is such a great escape for me and takes me out of the stress of life. Reading is something I do every single day, and it helps me stay grounded no matter what is happening with my career. I love reading everything from romance to fantasy to mystery!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe my music as relatable, coming-of-age songs that have the same pop-country feel as Taylor Swift, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, and Ashley Cooke. I have never had an experience where I felt like a reviewer was super off-base!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

When the band is together, especially when traveling, I feel like we split things up differently every day! Depending on the venue, someone is always in charge of grabbing waters for the group, parking the car, ordering food, etc. We are always changing it up!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The last time I was starstruck would have to be at Kelsea Ballerini’s Donut Shop event in June. Being at that event with her was really surreal because of the huge impact she has made on me and my career!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Live shows are by far my favorite part of being a musician. Being on stage and performing my songs to an audience makes all the difficult parts worth it. If I could no longer be a musician, I would be an author. I love bringing stories to life and sharing them with people!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I have always wanted an interviewer to ask me what my favorite lyric I have ever written is. To date, it would have to be the chorus to “by june.” When I wrote that, I immediately felt really proud of it and excited to release it into the world. The question I am the most tired of answering would have to be questions about the writing process of a song.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I think if I could change one thing, I would have been more open to posting my music on my socials earlier. It took me a long time to be confident and comfortable sharing my songs and even my personality with the world. I wish I could go back in time and face my fears earlier.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

If I could go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any record, it would have to be 1989 by Taylor Swift. That album was a complete genre shift for her and included some of her biggest hits. Being as big of a fan as I am, I would love to get a look inside of what that process was like and how it was to create that different of an album from her past catalog.

ERIN GIBNEY LINKS:

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Category: Interviews