Interview with Versatile Vocalist, Musician, Singer and Pianist Gabriella Metz

ML&L - What would you like people to know about your music career?

Gabriella Metz - My music career started before I even opened my eyes for the first time. I grew up in a family where my grandfather was a musician (he was the first person to bring the Greek Bouzouki to Cyprus), and my mother has inherited his gifts as she has a wonderful Soprano voice, which I always looked up to. Therefore, I was born with the gift of music. I had my first piano and guitar lesson at the age of four; this made my love for music official. I always knew I wanted to study music and eventually live off my musical dream. After 13 years of hard work I obtained my Vocal & Piano Diplomas from London College of Music and Royal Academy of Music. In 2015, I was accepted at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and have one more year until I graduate. During all these studies, I performed at various events and charities all over Europe.


ML&L - What are some of your earlier music memories?

Gabriella Metz - My earlier music memories are of my mother playing Fur Elise on the Piano, and singing Greek songs of Manos Chadjidakis.


ML&L - What music/songs/artist made you want to pursue a music career?

Gabriella Metz - Honestly, even though I always wanted to pursue music, two musicians gave me an extra push to do so. The first one is my favorite Classical Composer - Ludwig Van Beethoven. The second musician is a Greek world-renowned Tenor - Mario Frangoulis.


ML&L - How is it to perform in different genres: Jazz, Blues, Pop, Fusion, and Opera?

Gabriella Metz - I love having a versatile voice. Being able to sing in multiple genres is what I always aimed for. It gives me the ability to have a lot of different vocal techniques which I can use in any way I want, in any genre I sing, giving me the opportunity to have my own unique sound. I also want my audience to not know what to expect next. It’s a way of avoiding my audience being bored of me as an artist.

ML&L - Why have Demo songs in 5 different languages? What do those songs mean to you?

Gabriella Metz - I speak all those five languages (Greek, English, French, Spanish, and Italian). I adore learning languages because you also explore their cultures which makes you more open minded as a human being. Each song has its own personal touch to me as a singer and as a person. The Greek song, “Thalassa Platia” by Manos Chadjidakis, is a song that makes me feel nostalgic towards my life in Cyprus as it talks about the sea, which actually reflects the singer’s emotions. The English song, “Think of Me” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is a song amongst others that I want to sing on Broadway while being a part of Phantom of the Opera’s cast. The French and Italian songs, “Je t’aime” and “Adagio” were the ones that developed my voice the most and made me fall in love with this particular style; all because of my wonderful and talented teacher Joanna Thrasivoulou. Lastly, the Spanish song, “La Historia de un Amor” is a song that I loved singing for years now. In my opinion, it's one of the best Spanish songs of all time!


ML&L - You started your YouTube channel with a cover song. Will you continue with covers or are you planning to release an original song?

Gabriella Metz - For the moment, I will be releasing cover songs. My debut cover is Lady Gaga’s Born this Way and I have just released my second cover, Mary J. Blige’s Therapy; both in their unique acoustic versions. My original songs are on their way. They’ll be released very soon.


ML&L - You are now working on your debut album. What should we expect?

Gabriella Metz - I am currently working on my debut single. You should expect a song created with all my heart and soul as it is about a very personal experience that made me the person I am today.


ML&L - What’s the message you’re trying to bring with your songs?

Gabriella Metz - Each song has its own message therefore there is no general meaning. All my songs come from my own experiences. As an artist though, I will always support EQUALITY because no matter where you’re from, what religion you believe in, what your sexual preferences are, what your gender is, or how much money you own, we are ALL HUMAN BEINGS that deserve to be healthy, happy, loved, and have the ability to achieve anything we set our minds to. I will always stand by equality, no matter what.

ML&L - Do you have any advice for aspiring singers?

Gabriella Metz - I am still an aspiring singer myself but my advice for all people - not just for singers and musicians - is to NEVER GIVE UP. Follow your dream and if you really believe in it, you’ll make it!


ML&L - Are there any other upcoming collaborations we can look forward to?

Gabriella Metz - At the moment I am working with my producer, Chris Charalambides, at SoundScape Studios in Cyprus. There are possible future collaborations with Greek and Cypriot musicians but I will not announce their names yet!


ML&L - What are your plans ahead?

Gabriella Metz - I am planning to return to Boston, MA, USA in September of 2018 to complete my Degree at Berklee College of Music. Meanwhile I will release more covers and lastly my debut single. I still don’t know what I’ll be doing after graduation. Hopefully I’ll be able to work in the USA.


ML&L - What are some facts about you, which you want your fans to know?

Gabriella Metz - The only thing I want my fans to know is that I am not fake. I am a very open person and I always show what I feel or think. Lastly, I want them to know that I appreciate their love, and it makes me extremely happy when they come up to me or send me a personal message.