Gatlin
Nashville-based artist Gatlin releases new single “Talking to Myself”.
Co-written with Michelle Buzz and produced by Tone Def, the new single is about a relationship that you are so used to that you lose yourself in that person.
The alt-indie artist revealed her debut single “Maniac” earlier this year, which already hit 194k streams on Spotify. The Florida native is creating her musical identity by being authentically herself.
“Talking to Myself” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Sydney Whitten
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
I’m Gatlin, an alt-indie artist based in Nashville but originally from Orlando, FL!
What's your story?
I come from a super adventurous and close Floridian family. My parents have always encouraged me to dream big and work as hard as I can at whatever I’m passionate about. Strangely, I’ve known I wanted to be a singer/performer since a young age so was in traveling choirs, musical theater, a cappella groups, awkward middle school rock bands, etc. My parents allowed me to be homeschooled in high school so I could travel and play shows/record songs in the studio.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I started writing songs when I was around five, I’d make up melodies and lyrics - very obviously there were very bad. I always wanted to be a singer and my parents encouraged me to write to set myself apart and get even more creative. It wasn’t until I was fifteen and had my first boyfriend and really got the hang of guitar that they were actual songs (still not very good though haha).
What gave you the confidence to be an artist and release your original music?
I honestly don’t like doing much anything else than creating music and then getting on stage performing them. I cannot really explain it, but that’s when I feel like my most self. It sounds dramatic, but I don’t think there’s any sort of Plan B or anything else I could do instead.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
Hands down my parents. They’ve always told me I can do whatever I set my mind to. But other than that - my manager Jeanette Porcello. I moved to Nashville to be a freshman at Belmont University. I was eighteen, incredibly insecure, and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. She heard my music within the first month of attending Belmont - even though she was in New York for the semester - and asked to work with me. She has been my rock over the last two years and my greatest cheerleader - plus she’s a kickass manager and such a huge part of this artist project.
"Talking to Myself" is your new single. What's the story behind this song?
It’s pretty much about a relationship that you are so used to that you kind of lose yourself in that person. And then when you break up, there are those moments that you forget you’re all alone. There have been moments - especially when I was just waking up, that I forgot that person was not around anymore and would start talking. But he wasn’t there anymore.
You worked with Michelle Buzz and Tone Def on this record. Could you describe us the songwriting/production process?
I went out to LA for a week before getting into the studio with Tone to write for my next project. Michelle was my first write of the week and she rocked my world! She is such a light of a human being and joy to work with. There have been few times I go into a write with someone for the first time and immediately feel so comfortable around them. I think it was because of that that we were able to get something so special. The session lasted about nine hours but we freaking had a great project. Then I went home to Nashville and Tone flew in to work on the song for a weekend at Farmland studios. We sent it over to my band and just bounced ideas off of each other in the studio.
What made you want to release "Talking to Myself" as a single?
I think it’s really a fun tune! It’s the most similar to “Maniac” that I have in this next batch of songs - so thought it would be fun to start off with something light and vibey.
What do you like the most about this song?
I love the chorus! It feels free. I listened to the first mix for the first time in my car with the windows down and it just felt happy.
What does it mean for you to be an artist?
I have never been asked this or thought about it. I guess it means to make art and share it, but then also just be authentically me. I like making things that are fun for me, heal me, or make me cry. I think then the power super duper comes when people can relate to that and it becomes fun for others, heals them, etc.
What do you want to accomplish as a human being?
I’m very much so a 4 on the enneagram. So I think I just want to fulfill my purpose and make some sort of change in the world - even just on a small scale through loving the people I come in contact well.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
I try to live my life with Jesus as my example, loving everyone so selfless and accepting everyone. I think the world would be better if everyone loved selflessly. I fail at it a lot of times - but I think at least the trying part makes the difference.
2019 is slowly coming to and end, what lessons did you learn this year?
I dropped out of college in 2019. I think I learned to fuck what people think about me and just do what I think is right for me and give 120% into what I want to do - be an artist.
What did you accomplish in 2019?
I released music for the first time in 2019. I played some amazing shows in venues that had been goals for a while, and I got to meet so many incredible humans through being vulnerable and putting music out there this year.
What are your goals for 2020?
I want to continue to put out music in 2020 and honestly my goal this year is to play as many shows I can across the country. My mantra for this upcoming year is “Just Go”. Saying yes to shows in different cities and trying to push myself out of my comfort zone.
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