Gilan is a singer/songwriter currently based in the United Kingdom. Born in Camden to two musical parents of mixed heritage, Gilan moved around the world a lot until eventually settling in Bahrain in the Middle East for the latter part of her childhood, eventually moving back as a young adult. Gilan writes songs about grief and acceptance of the human condition and the state of the world. Since moving back to the UK Gilan has been a part of various projects including Brosephine and working with Loud Women on a charity single- to raise awareness for the importance of ending violence against women- as well as local environmental groups.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil: Hey Gilan, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Gilan: My parents were both jazz musicians so it was my first language.
Kamil: How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
Gilan: For a very long time I was trying to juggle a regular 9-5 with music, my family, my friends and a relationship. It nearly broke me. Last year I made the decision to get several part time jobs so I could fit in more music and within months I had an EP recorded. The trick is to find the balance that is right for you.
Kamil: Your latest release is 'Goddess Unwilling'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
Gilan: Before I started recording I took a deep dive into the unknown. As I said I had quit my full time job. I did it without a back up plan! I cut loose some friendships that weren’t healthy for me ( or the friends in question). I set myself on a path of healing but my confidence had been a bit beaten down, so I just gave myself the goal of recording an EP. I told my friends I was working on an EP before I had started so I would force myself to do it. Once I started I fell in love with the process all over again.
Kamil: Where did you get the inspiration for this EP?
Gilan: ‘Goddess Unwilling’ is a line from the first track of the EP ‘Forward Fold’. A forward fold and goddess pose are both positions in yoga. The goddess pose is one of power and strength, forward folding is more about submission. Before I had made the decision to let go of the unhealthy things in my life, I was trying to be strong like a goddess but I was unwilling to submit to the reality of the situation. The EP is journey through from grief, to realisation to acceptance.
Kamil: How long did you work on the 'Goddess Unwilling'? Was it an easy process for you?
Gilan: The recording and mixing process took about 4 months however I had started writing the songs a long time before that. They had been around in my mind and had been played as noodles for a long time. They finally came together during the recording process.
Kamil: How do you know when a work is finished?
Gilan: I would say musically there was a lot more I could do. Is one ever finished? I guess for me it depends on if I set myself a deadline or not. If I set myself a deadline, I can be quite stubborn about sticking to it as long as I am satisfied with the sound. If I don’t set myself a deadline then there is danger of ‘over-cooking’ because I never feel like I am done.
Kamil: Can you write what was your best performance in your career? How do you remember it?
Gilan: That’s easy. Last year I got to play at both Glastonbury festival and LOUD WOMAN fest. I can’t choose between them because they were both dreams come true. I had the same feeling at both of being humbled at the fact that people came to listen to my set and resonated with what I had to sing about. To connect with people in that way is magical!
Kamil: How do you find yourself in the music business? When you started out in music, did you know it would be like this?
Gilan: I am currently quite DIY so I don’t think I am quite ‘in the music business yet’. I am more like someone just outside of the office of ‘the music business’ avoiding meetings for as long as I can. The industry is beautiful but terrifying so I am quite cautious. I did not know it would be like this when I started out because I was quite young, but I’ve always had amazing people in the industry reminding me that there are awesome people in it who do genuinely care about musicians. Shout out to Cassie Fox at Loud Women. If you haven’t heart of Loud Women; check them out!
Kamil: Who is your favourite musician?
Gilan: If I had to pick one it would be Fiona Apple. In all of my years I have found the lessons she has taught me through her music invaluable. She expresses herself in a way that is unique and raw, bold and witty.
I also feel the same way about PJ Harvey ( couldn’t not say two, sorrynotsorry).
Kamil: What are your plans for the future?
Gilan: So far I have been producing my own solo material but I would love to save up and work with a good producer on a few tracks I have lined up. I think they would be able to really help me bring my songs to life and I am so excited for that. Aside from that playing shows and festivals forever.