Sometimes a song can make you feel many emotions that you don't know or try to forget. Californian indie-folk artist Gal Musette’s second single ‘Summertime’ reminds us of our old memories; happy but messy, thrilling but painful, as if it never really existed. It feels like ‘a dusty dream where the edges aren’t so tangible’, as she says in her song. The song is about the story of a broken friendship. She reintroduces this hybrid folk genre with a modern twist, including vocal layering and a melody that becomes increasingly more complex throughout. Her album Backwards Lullaby features songs like Ghost, and a single featuring Rufus Wainwright. We talked to Gal Musette about her album, upcoming concerts, and folk music. Check out our interview below to find out more about Gal Musette.

Where are you based?
I’m based in the orange county/LA area of southern California.

What inspired you to get into music and your style?
My grandpa and my dad taught me to play piano by ear. I like to say I have my grandpa’s left and my dad’s right when I play :) I grew up listening to my mom’s French music and my dad’s broad music taste. I always wanted to be a part of the music, but I didn’t play an instrument, so I danced. When I was about ten I discovered the piano and fell in love with writing songs. My songs are prominently influenced by the music of Rufus Wainwright, Regina Spektor, The Cure, The Magnetic Fields, and Joni Mitchell.

We loved your song Summertime. It feels like a 'dusty dream where the edges aren’t so tangible' like you said. It reflects many different emotions at the same time, both calming and energizing. What is the story behind this song?
Summertime comes off as a love song but is actually the story of a broken friendship. That kind of friend you meet and immediately connect with on an intense level, then after a few months you meet each other’s demons and your mutual perceptions are shaken.

The music video of Summertime fits the soul of the song perfectly! Style and the cinematography look so cool and retro. How was the filming process?
Thank you! The filming process was easy peasy working with Autumn Palen (director and cinematographer.) We filmed the whole thing in one day! The funniest part was the coffee pouring scene because we could only do one take (I only had one white dress to ruin.) You can kind of see me realizing that it wasn’t going directly on the dress in the shot and pulling the cup closer to my chest- it looks so obvious to me!

We learned that your latest album Backwards Lullaby, which will be out later this year, will also include a single featuring Rufus Wainwright. Can you give some information about that?
Rufus Wainwright has been my greatest inspiration as a musician since I was first writing- I even met him when I was five briefly at a book shop signing/performance, and have seen him live many times since. When my producer Jon and I were in need of a male vocal on one of the tracks Jon recalled that he knew Rufus’s sound engineer and through a series of events — we asked, and he said yes by some miracle. One of the most shocking/incredible things I have experienced!

We also loved the music video of Ghost danced by Ariadne Fernandez. Can you talk about this collaboration?
I came to my friend, an aspiring ballerina, Ari (who is literally an angel on earth), and asked if she’d be willing to interpret my song “Ghost” for this music video. She choreographed the dance in a ballet/contemporary style, and then we brought the piece to Alissa Wyle who filmed and directed it at the Camino Real Playhouse in my hometown, San Juan Capistrano. The theatre was a meaningful place to me as I grew up seeing local plays there with my grandpa. Working on this video with these two talented and incredibly creative women was such a cathartic experience. It was a challenge not crying while filming because something about Ari’s performance and eye contact evoked a strong/unnamable emotion inside of me.

What inspired this song? It feels like there is a story behind it.
This song’s about falling in love with two people simultaneously. There’s no one meaning to be understood from the lyrics. I would hope that each listener could take something a bit different from them. The “ghost” could be seen as a metaphor for an imaginary friend that stuck around a little overdue — even when you’ve grown up and shouldn’t be clinging to those fantasies anymore.

The folk genre doesn’t get the respect it deserves, with most popular music being more focused on pop and rap these days. How would you like to see this change? Where would you like to see yourself performing?
I understand that folk might not be as broadly appreciated in modern times, but it is comforting to see artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Rufus Wainwright, and Madison Cunningham getting nominated for Grammy awards because the recognition is highly deserved! I’d love to perform at The Greek Theatre in LA. It’s been one of my favorite venues since I was a child, and I’ve seen most of my favorite artists put on amazing shows there. I’ve also always loved The Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA.

What are your future plans as a musician?
Recording as much music as possible! I’ve got about 50 songs I’ve been sitting on for years that I’d love to get out in the world as soon as I can!

We love that you hosted a concert for Save The Children US. Can you tell us a bit about this? Why was this important to you?
This virtual concert was formed to raise money for children who depend on receiving their meals through the school systems which was prevented for obvious reasons in many cases when the stay-at-home order was established back in 2020. My friends are all Joni obsessed so I thought it would be fun to get them all together to do various Joni covers, and hopefully attract some Joni Mitchell fans to the show. This concert was important to me and the other contributors because we hoped we could spread the word and raise some money for an organization we believed in, and for me, it meant a lot because I work at a school where many of the students depend on the school for providing daily meals. I saw first hand how relevant and spanning a struggle it was for parents and their children at the time.

You have also performed in other fundraiser shows like Solutions Not Punishment and The Borgen Project. Can you tell us a little bit about it? What made you decide to partner up with these groups?
These virtual fundraising concerts were hosted by Hannah Rooth and Rochelle Gluzman, two very talented women/OC-based artists. I was immediately willing to take part in these concerts as I support what both organizations stand for wholeheartedly. For those who aren’t familiar with these two: The Borgen Project is a non-profit organization working hard to combat global poverty and to ensure a strong global response to COVID-19. And Solutions Not Punishment is an Atlanta-based, black, trans, and queer lead organization working to end mass criminalization and gender-based violence by fighting back against police violence and growth of the prison system. Both are extremely relevant and crucial issues. I highly recommend checking out their sites and considering donating.

How have you been staying positive during a shelter in place? Are you back to normal now?
It has been a rollercoaster ride ever since March 2020. There have been times of depression, anxiety, and fear that I know I am not alone in experiencing, but I think I am finally getting more used to what the world has evolved into over the last few years. I can’t say that I like it, but everyone’s health and safety are most important. So, I hope that masks do become the norm and that more of the population will get vaccinated to prevent future variants. I am grateful to all the amazing health workers and scientists working hard to end this virus. Their work gives me hope!

What is your motto in life?
Family is #1.

To learn more about Gal Musette, please follow her via the below platforms:
YouTube: Gal Musette
Spotify: Gal Musette

Photography Credit: Anna Azarov

Into A Dusty Dream Where Gal Musette Reshapes Folk Music