Behind the lyrics: Q&A with Delaney Gibson

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon my current music obsession through a lucky channel flip through reality television. This week, I caught up with Delaney Gibson on her recent album release, Hurricanes and Forget Me Nots, and how a little TV placement can reel in a whole lot of publicity.

Erin: So what are you doing right now?

Delaney: I’m in my apartment in downtown Ventura watching Criminal Minds. I have a major crush on Dr. Spencer Reed! Dr. Reed and Jim from The Office are my absolute favorite boys!

Everyone needs a good dose of John Krasinski in their life. Your bio boasts that you were in a “rut” at the end of 2008. What was going on? How did you push past it to go back to writing and music? Is that shown at all in your newest album, Hurricanes and Forget Me Nots?

I was dealing with the end of a serious relationship. We really didn’t end things until a few months into 2009 so it was just a long ordeal.  I was also trying to get my first record off the ground and really trying to find out what the heck I was going to do in every aspect of my life: where I would live, work, etc. But, even through all that turmoil, I kept writing and performing. I think it’s the one thing that kept me sane and focused.

The result: Hurricanes and Forget Me Nots. Talk to me about that album.

Hurricanes and Forget Me Nots comes directly from my life while I was writing the music for this record. I wrote all the music in a month!  It was a whirlwind time of my life, and that’s really where the Hurricanes came from. That feeling I was going through, it felt like my life was swirling around me. The album is really filled with images of unrequited love and the Forget Me Not flower symbolizes just that: tragic, fated love.

Categorizing up-and-coming musicians into genres and similar sound-a-likes is pretty common but always results in many different answers. What genre do you think you fit into?

I think I am a cross between Patty Griffin and Regina Spektor. I’ve got a big voice with a hint of old country like Patty, but I think my music has a quirky and satirical sense to it like Regina. I would put myself in the singer/songwriter category like Ingrid Michaelson, Kate Nash and Meiko. It’s always hard to define yourself as one thing.

I stumbled upon “La Di Da” from watching The Bad Girls’ Club on Oxygen. What was it like getting your song that kind of exposure?

Having my song placed has been so exciting for me!  I actually didn’t know it was placed until I got a Google Alert about a Yahoo message board. People were posting questions about my song! They had heard it on the show and wanted to know who the artist was. It was very cool! I have never had so many people search me out. I’ve gotten a huge response on YouTube, Facebook and my Web site about the song on the show. I’m really trying to license more music to shows. It really is the best way to get new people to listen to your music. I’m just hoping to reach a wide audience with the new record.

What do you like more: creating the album or touring the album?

I love performing to death! The connection you can feel with an audience will make you weep. There is something magical about writing a song and getting into the studio and hearing it go from your head and heart to your ears is a remarkable experience. I really can’t choose.

You’re in the studio know working on a different sort of project: Talk me about Ten in 2010.

It seems like nowadays people just want something new everyday. Recording an album takes a long time, and I don’t know if people are as willing to wait for them anymore. I’m not saying I’ll never record an album again; I’m just trying something new this year. When you make an album you want all the songs to flow and have a certain theme. Recording a new song a month really allows me to change up the genres and write about anything. So far it’s been really fun. I’m recording song number 2 right now, and it will be out at the end of the month. I think I’m going to pair it on iTunes with “La Di Da” as a single and B side. At the end of the year I’ll have ten new tunes recorded. The best part is all of the songs are name your own price on my Web site.  So anyone can have them for free or whatever they are willing to pay. It puts it back in the listener’s hands, and I like that.

What do you write first: the lyrics or the melody?

It’s always different! Sometimes I’ll dream and entire song then wake up and play it start to finish. Sometimes, I’ll have a melody. Sometimes, I’ll write all the music. It’s always changing!

If you could be doing one thing (other than singer-songwriter) what would it be?

I think I would have gone to medical school to become a coroner. Sounds completely morbid but so interesting, and I think I’d be good at it. I have no idea what that says about me.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Hoarders and Intervention: I’m obsessed.