Meet Venezuela-born UK Open Mic performer Gabriel Gomez:

Hi Gabriel Gomez, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

30

Where were you born?

Venezuela

Where did you grow up?

Venezuela and Spain

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

My parents influence my music as they are country music fans.

Where are you based now, and why?

London, came for university (Music Degree)

What got you into making music in the first place?

I love country music and I want to represent the LGBTQ+ community and the Latino community in the genre.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Piano
Piano
Guitar
Music Producer

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Patsy Cline,
Brandi Carlile, Orville Peck.

They all showed me how to love country music while also being unique and truth to who I am.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

15

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

Usually, I have the melody before writing the lyrics, but sometimes it happens that a catchy phrase stays in my mind and I use it to start a song.
I also get a lot.

My writer’s block tip will be: Set a ridiculously short time to come up and write a song, and after that, you can just polish it, or just read a book or watch tv, there’s always something out there.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

1

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

I want to remove the barrier of a formal performance and have more confidence in the stage.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Just enjoy the set and play whatever feels comfortable for you.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Money to invest in recordings, studio, mastering, etc.

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

That I am into country music despite of being Latino, queer, and not having an American accent lol.

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

I am working on my upcoming singles and a whole aesthetic for them.

Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.instagram.com/gabrielgomezmusic

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

www.instagram.com/gabrielgomezmusic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.instagram.com/gabrielgomezmusic

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!