Coming Attraction: An Exclusive Interview with Moriah Gabrielle

"When Ears Are Deaf To Words, Music Speaks" 
~ Moriah Gabrielle ~

I had the distinct pleasure to chat with Moriah Gabrielle, an Indie Pop artist in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. Moriah has made a name for herself as a singer/songwriter and has penned a few ballads and conscious melodies, for herself and other independent artists. Her most recent release is a song called "When Will We Matter" a lyric heavy track sung and performed by The Gaskill Girls.  She has performed on stages big and small during her time in New York, where she worked on perfecting her craft, while in school at St. John's University and graduated last May.  She is now back home, continuing to stretch herself to bring a new sound, and share a piece of her heart with the world. Moriah Gabrielle was kind enough to Spill the Tea about her likes and dislikes, music that stays in her rotation and what she enjoys about being an artist. It was truly a privilege to have her at Simply Ari Media Headquarters, and I think after you check out our conversation, you'll get to know her a little better as well. 
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SAM: What does your YouTube search say about you?

MG: I sing, so usually I am searching for song lyrics or karaoke versions of music. Also I love social experiments; I was a psychology major at St. John's University in Queens, New York. Sometimes I like looking a cooking videos, and beauty definitely, specifically skin care, self care and home décor videos. 

SAM: Who is an artist that people wouldn't expect you to have on your playlist?
MG: I don't know if people would expect me to have Tupac on my playlist. Yeah, a lot of oldies and Christian artists, indie artists yeah, but I don't think they would know that I like rap on the low.
SAM: I like it. Tupac Shakur who knew!

SAM: Do you think that social media is overrated?
MG: Because I was born in this time, people would probably say that this is weird for me to say, but I do feel that it's overrated on the low. I love social media in the sense that I like connecting with other people. However, I don't like social media because I think it can also hinder connecting with people in real life. That being said, I like it as a tool or resource to connect with real people in real time, in real life. I don't like the hype of social media, and the push to be something that you're not or trying to gain followers who aren't really truly there for you, or friends who aren't really there for you.  I have a very tight-knit group of people in my life, so I think to some extent I like it as a resource, but honestly, I think it  can be quite tiresome and time consuming. But I use it for what I need to do [as an artist]

SAM:  You mentioned that you watch makeup tutorials on YouTube in your free time, so do you have a favorite make up tip and have you tried it?
MG: That's a really good question. I don't know if this is a tip as much as it is a rule of thumb, but a good primer can just set your makeup right. It really can. Finding your type of skin whether it be combination, oily, or dry; a good primer that matches your skin type is really important just to add that finishing flawless vibe. Yeah, a good primer's it. And if nothing else, mascara and lip gloss is always a bet. 
SAM: Ok. That's good insight.

SAM:  How do you practice self-care?
MG: Oh in so many ways. I deep condition my hair, lighting a candle just for some me time, doing a facial, working out, and definitely writing music. Music for me is definitely therapy, so music 90% of the time. Being in prayer, any of those things. 

SAM: Ok, proverbial question, for all the naturalistas out there, which one is better: Deep conditioning or a protein treatment?
MG: No, you can't ask that! They are two different things! Every naturalista is going to be on this page like "What is she about to say?!"
SAM:  Ok, hahaha, let me rephrase the question: Which one do you enjoy more? I'll ask that.
MG: Well, this is deep because I really care about hair care. Deep conditioners are lit. You can do them every week. Please do them every week guys. Though, a protein treatment just gives you life! You can only do a protein treatment every 4 to 6 weeks. It's just that thought that you can only have it for once a month, and you get your hair poppin' , that one time, you have to choose [carefully] when that occasion's happening. The protein treatment is like, "Oh my gosh the curls are going to pop today." But deep conditioners are the underlying regimen so it's nice to have a deep conditioner but, protein treatments can take your curls to another level. 
SAM: I like that answer. It was very detailed, hahaha
MG: Yeah that level of detail was necessary. I don't want the naturalistas coming for you or me either! 

SAM: What is something that you'd love to do if money or fear were no object?
MG: Besides performing, because I love it and it also a fearful thing sometimes especially releasing your own music. A random thing that I would actually really like to do is to be a race car driver. I drive 35 mph on the daily, but in my heart of hearts, I would love to drive a Farrari, or a Porshe, or a Lamborghini, and drive like crazy fast on a track and open road. Similar to Fast and the Furious kind of stuff.  But you know the whole thought process of … dying, hinders me from acting on it. 
SAM: Wow ok, I would have never guessed that.
MG: I know right? You learn something new every day.
SAM: Yeah I guess you do. 

SAM: You have a fashionable edgy style. What's your favorite accessory to wear?
MG: I love an eclectic earring. It's really simplistic. I don't need a very excessive earring. I want something that's a little different that can set the tone for the outfit. 

SAM: And our last question, What is your idea of a perfect day?
MG: Wow we went through these fast!  Not waking up before 10am, somewhere in that day there would be crab cakes and dumplings, quality time with family, being with friends, music obviously, prayer time, and doing an activity like a game night or going ice skating, and having good food. 
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SAM: I love that. Is there anything else that you want to share with the Simply Ari audience? Social Media handles? What you're working on? Any new projects to be on the look out for?
MG: Yeah! Actually, I am working on an EP right now. I am SUPER excited about it. I've been working on it for a while. And you can find me on Instagram and on Twitter.  Thank you Simply Ari for having me. 
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Well, you heard it here first! Be on the look out for Moriah Gabrielle's EP coming soon, and please follow her on her social media platforms!

Moriah Gabrielle Handles:
Instagram: @iammoriahgabrielle
Twitter: @IAmMoriah_G