Producer and vocalist Gibbz is known for his incredible singing voice, rolling with fellow Lowtemp crews like Gramatik and Exmag and not being apart of "greedy, corporate" record labels - he ran a Kickstarter campaign back in December 2015 to fund his first full-length album, Above Water. The first track, Higher Than I've Ever Been was released last month and features the saxophone stylings of Dom Lalli of Big Gigantic.
His most recent, Stay for Awhile, came out a couple of weeks ago and is paired with this live performance coming right from his living room.
Now on the ...Still DTF? Tour with Cherub and Mike Floss, he's hitting cities all over the U.S. and we got the chance to catch up with him on the first leg of the tour right here in his home state of NY.
First show of the tour – has the bar been set?
Terminal 5 was the first time I had played most of the songs from my new record. I never really get nervous, but playing new songs and only really having use of one eye... I had the jitters. I cut my eye a few days earlier clumsily hitting myself in the face with my hand. I think it went well. I kept an eye patch next to my gear incase the brightness of the lights became painful. Luckily no bright lights really hit my face. That worked out for both me and the crowd. Get it? That was self-deprecation.
How does playing in NY compare to other cities?
I'm from NY, so anytime I can get to have family and friends around, it's a good show for me. I try to think, wherever I am, that once I get on stage I'm instantly besties with everyone in the crowd. So no matter the city, we're just all pallin' around. Good ol' buds. Peas in a pod.
What’s with the new stage set up?
I'm using most of the same gear I've been using for a while now. Just newer versions of things. All the looping and guitar is still being processed the same way. If it ain't broke, they say, LOLOLOLOLOL.
You identify more with pop music, and your voice is out of this world! Did you ever think you’d be adored by the EDM audience?
I'm thankful for anyone who likes my music. No matter what genre they wish to place their fandom. I should probably be pushing cases or putting up tents right now. If I can NOT do that because EDM kids like me. Awesome. Thanks, EDM kids. you rule.
What does a typical day for you look like?
Wellllll I start with a sunrise freestyle. Just a few bars to get the day going on a good foot. Then 6-8 hours of mid-temp hot yoga. That's always followed by a half marathon, then another half marathon. Actually, my day is not very exciting. It's pretty much: wake up, dick jokes, lunch, dick jokes, soundcheck, dick jokes, light snack, show, pack up, dick jokes, dick jokes, drink til sleeping.
Are you on the festival circuit this summer? Which festivals?
I will be doing a handful of festivals this summer. I don't think I'm at liberty to say but you maaaaay find me on the 3rd stage of the Paramus, New Jersey Mosquito Fest and Farmers Market 2016. But I didn't tell you that. (wink)
Fun questions:
If you were a pizza topping, which one would you be?
Marmelade and tears.
What’s your spirit animal?
Michael Carrington from Grease 2
Who is your celebrity crush?
I've been crushing on Judy Greer since 13 going on 30. She was mean. But the good kinda mean.
Fav show to binge watch?
Celebrity Firepits on HGTV. It's on demand. jkjkjkjk that doesn't exist. There's a new HBO show called Animals that may be the best show to ever be on television. It's called Animals and it's on the Home Box Office.
If you could choose the next president of the US, who would it be? (Anyone, not just those running)
John Matrix, from the 1985 classic, Commando, would make a great president. He's a military man. Been in the shit. A family man. Single parent. He's got the morals and the ideas that would make this country #1 on the 100 Awesome Nations list.
If you could pick two artists to be your parents, who would they be and why?
I already have 2 artists as parents. I am their masterpiece... But Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's on-stage love is really inspiring. They'd make nice folks.