Feature: softpower Decodes ‘THE KNIFE IN MY SIDE’
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind 'THE KNIFE IN MY SIDE' and the story it tells?
‘THE KNIFE IN MY SIDE’ is a concept album that chronicles my own interpretation of the Greek myth of Chiron the centaur. In the story, Chiron, an immortal healer who is able to mend any wound or ailment, is stabbed with a poisonous arrow, badly injuring him. But because he is immortal, he can’t die but also is unable to heal his own wounds. This story is present in astrology as well, and the minor planet of Chiron represents the wounded healer within all of us. It challenges us to look at our inner pain and trauma and figure out how to live with it.
Each song on this project is an exploration of my own un-healable wounds and how I navigate life with them. The first track MIRROR and the accompanying music video represent the solution to my problems; learning to give and reflect love to other people by being able to hold empathy for them without losing too much of myself. The rest of the four songs on the project are a realistic look at the wounds that I still carry. I wrestle internally with myself as I attempt to change and stop making the same mistakes.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for this EP?
This project was completely self-produced and everything was made in my living room, garage, and bedroom using Logic Pro. Some of these songs were demos that I made in 2022 (Lost in It, Mirror) as a challenge to myself to make a song in one sitting. I work really quickly when writing and recording songs, so with most of these I made them in about 2-4 days and then let them sit for a few weeks to a month before revisiting them. I find that It helps my process to listen with completely fresh ears before making any big decisions. I have always worked in my own home studio and prefer that instead of going to a professional studio. This is mainly because I just prefer to be by myself when recording vocals and making musical decisions and then if I have a feature or work with other people later on, I already have a basis with which to build upon.
Which song(s) from the EP do you think best represents your artistic vision?
All of the songs do, however I think that “CHIRON” is the crux of the album as it lays out most clearly the themes of the project. Musically it is one of my favorite songs that I’ve made up until now. My friend brz laid down an incredible verse that is truly my favorite part of the entire EP. The song also really captures what I aspire to do with my songs which is to mix genres in a tasteful and seamlessly. “CHIRON” started off as just an improvisational melody played over jazz chords that eventually became the chorus melody. I am really proud of the dark pop/ hip hop fusion genre that this song sits in.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
I am a classically trained pianist and began learning piano at age 7. Growing up I was heavily influenced by jazz and gospel music, and performed with my school’s jazz bands and combos throughout high school and into college. While in university, I actually pursued a degree in film sound design which is where I gained my technical audio engineering knowledge. But since I learned to play piano, I have always been writing songs, singing in choirs, and generally making music whenever I can. I released my first official song in 2018 during college, and went on to self-produce an entire EP and an alternative jazz album under my real name Gabby Henderson. softpower is a new project and I released my first song with this moniker in May 2023 after moving from Chicago to LA. This project is a way for me to create the music that I have always wanted to make, and to not be bound by genre or any preconceived notions people may have had about me when I was releasing music under my given name. I am continuing to learn new instruments like guitar, and always love to study different genres and styles to try to incorporate them into my songs.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Lyrically, my songs all come from a real place. I find that I am able to write best when I am writing candidly about my own experiences. While I love to tell stories and make songs that are more expansive beyond my own world, there will always be a personal story attached to it.
Musically, I am inspired by many different artists from Kimora, Paramore, and Willow Smith, to classic jazz like Nancy Wilson and Blossom Dearie. I love to improvise and because I have a strong jazz background from years of vocal jazz training in college, many of my songs just begin as me coming up with scatting solos and translating them into poetry that I’ve written. I also love to perform solo with a vocal looper, so some of my songs also begin as just looped ideas and grow into longer-form songs. I write songs and poetry every day, and not all of them come to fruition, but I am constantly walking around with my head in the clouds and an idea in the works.
