NYGal had the opportunity to attend Gina Brooklyn’s performance at Rockwood Musichall’s Stage 1 on September 14th.
Although Gina is young in age, her natural musical skills gave the impression of a musician who has been “in it” for decades. Her songwriting and soft ballads hypnotized the audience and had them listening attentively throughout the whole performance, which is a rare occurrence at Rockwood!
During the performance, an audience member even shouted out…
“No matter how many people are in the room, play like you have a full house! I love what you’re doing!”
After hearing Gina’s soft voice, and bits of storytelling between songs, NYGal just had to know more. So, we reached out to Gina for the inside scoop on her musical career.
Tell us about your background in music.
My mom’s side of the family is extremely musical and my dad’s side is super artistic. I grew up all around music. My parents were even in a hard rock band together!
When I was 5 I knew I really wanted to be a singer, and later on, when I was about 13 I started songwriting. I’ve been doing both ever since!
Where would you like to see your career go?
I really hope to be successful in the songwriting aspect of the industry by getting placements and writing for other artists. I also want to be a successful artist myself!
What is your favorite part about live performances?
Playing shows is so much fun! I think my favorite part of the show is after the fact. I love being able to meet people and having them tell me that my music touched them.
Music has been something so consistent in my life. It’s always been there for me and if I can touch people through my music then I know I’m doing something right.
Some of the songs at your Rockwood performance had great stories and meaning behind them. Can you tell us a little about that?
“B Kind” is a song I wrote a week ago actually. It was inspired by the huge amounts of division we have in this country and how we need to respect each other no matter what our opinions may be. I see and hear so many horrible things people say about one another just based off of pure opinions. There is too much hatred and very little respect in this world.
It’s sad, so, I wrote this song in hopes of reminding people that we’re so much more than that; that our humanity runs deeper than thoughts. It’s kind of a hippy “love one another” song and I dig it! We need more of those songs, especially in today’s society.
“You’re Not Alone” was a song I wrote after a friend of mine committed suicide. It was a really dark time for my friends and I. It reminded us how precious life truly is and how showing love, kindness, and support to others is so important. When we talk to people we really need to think before we speak because, in reality, we all have no clue what others are going through.
I started the song off using the past tense in the first chorus saying “you weren’t alone” in remembrance of him; then going into the second part of the song using the present tense acknowledging the people struggling today saying “you aren’t alone”. It’s a song that is really important to me. I really hope the ones struggling with mental illness take the lyrics to heart because every single life is important, no matter who you are.
Who are your biggest supporters?
I think my biggest supporters are definitely my family members; my parents especially. Without their support and hard work, specifically my dad’s, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They mean the world to me!
Thanks, Gina, for answering our questions! NYGal readers, follow Gina Brooklyn on social media to be up to date on her career and see where she’ll be performing next!
