Hey everybody! Can you believe it’s nearly September? Moreover, can you believe we’re nearly 75% through the year?

Anyway, today I’m happy to present to you an artist that goes by the name GAWP. GAWP and I initially started chatting through Twitter in the last few months of last year and we have kept in touch ever since.

I first heard of him through This Ain’t Bristol from an EP he released called “Clownbite.” It was a serious heater and I immediately followed him and perused through his discography.

We officially met at East Coast campout just this year in St. Cloud, Florida. We had been trying to meet up all weekend, but the reception was so poor and honestly, it’s so hard to meet up with someone at a festival, haha. Luckily for me, GAWP being the amicable person he is, hit me up on the last day when everyone was packing up and getting ready to head home to meet up. He’s currently on another US Tour and he’s killing it!

What does music mean to you? Or how does it make you feel?

Music is life to me. It’s the only thing I’ve ever truly believed in, wanted to do and never given up on, apart from the saxophone after a year.

Where are you from? What were you doing prior to music?

Originally from Scarborough not too far from Leeds, I’ve always been involved in music from DJ’ing my youth club discos at 16, but career wise I left school and did women’s hairdressing since at the time there was no further education from my school into music. Also, the government forced you to sign up for further education. I continued to do hairdressing while playing open format clubs each weekend. I’ve always had a passion in electronic and sound tech, hence my studio gear addiction”.

What’s the music scene like in Leeds?

Amazing, it’s such a creative city with 5 universities and the majority of the students stay here once graduated. The scene and creative culture is thriving.

So, I recall being in contact with you via twitter to try to meet up during East Coast Campout this past year and if I’m not mistaken that was your first time in the US, correct? How was it coming to the states for the first time and into this really unique, weird and quirky festival?

Yeah, it was great to be over in the states especially after having spoke to so many people online whether it was releasing records with label A&Rs, talking to other producers,  and fans. There’s so many house heads. The festival was very different compared to the UK especially because it was a very unique sound and Dirtybird’s label following is full of die hards. So like in the UK, festivals are usually very mixed from various music cultures and acts so it was nice to have a group of people all there for the same interest. I guess it’s similar to going to a concert where everyone is there to see a specific headline act.

Speaking of which, you’ve recently been traveling a lot for another US Tour, congrats on that! What has been your favorite stop so far?

So far, I don’t have a favourite, but I love LA, Seattle, San Fran, Chicago. They all have their own unique memories and identity to me. Ohh and Miami, the This Ain’t Bristol event for MMW was a sheer throw down.

How’d you come up with the name “GAWP”?

I made a track with some crazy sounds called drainer on Main Course and my friend Gawped at me I said “What you Gawping at?” he said “Gawping?” I said yes “GAWP?” the name was born.. I believe in the states it’s called “Gawk / Gawking”

What’s one of the most difficult aspects about being in this scene?

The most frustrating thing is there’s not enough time. For example, I would love to have more time to spend making music with other people and hanging with them, but unfortunately when you do tours it’s usually a case of play an event then hop on a plane to another etc..

Do you feel like nowadays you can’t experience the music the same as you did when you were just a listener?

I feel it’s more exciting to hear music and experiencing it as an artist. The passion for music is intensified when you hear a piece of music. It inspires you to create rather than concentrating on your shuffle (jokes). In all seriousness, when you’re just on the dance floor you can just simply enjoy others’ selections and productions and chill. There’s no pressure about performing!

What’s your favorite kind of food?

Medium rare chicken skewers.

Favorite Artist or Favorite Track right now?

I love Kyle Watson‘s productions and he’s a top lad too!

Any other upcoming Artists and/or new Tracks we should know?

Morelia – Vibrate is a tune! Keep your ears peeled for that one. Also, Hood Rich is on my radar after doing a collab with him… but there’s so many to mention! I usually mention Steve Darko, but he’s on fire now so he needs water.. also if you’re into music, check out Berlocca for some more twisted techno edged stuff.

Any mixes/tracks of your we should check out?

It’s been a huge honour to do a guest mix for Claude Vonstroke’s Birdhouse Radio Show, this is 30 minutes of all my own material. It’s exclusive content never heard and also a way to express the real GAWP. Stay tuned for the release on August 24th!

Also, I do a monthly radio show which can be heard on my website gawpmusic.co.uk. Or, you can grab it on iTunes and there’s some exclusive live sets on there. Evermix.com has a channel of my live sets, too.

One last thing, I’m sure you travel a lot doing what you do. What’s your favorite place you’ve been to so far?

This is correct, I have so many luggage inspection leaflets in my luggage to prove it! My favourite place would have to be either Seattle or In-n-Out.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for reading this interview. I guess i just want to thank everyone who has made it possible for me to come this far with my music! If artists, like myself, didn’t have such amazing fans, fans wouldn’t have amazing artists. Don’t forget to follow that GAWP guy on your socials especially Instagram where my world is easier to understand in pictures.

Stay connected with GAWP

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud

Thanks again everyone, I truly hope you’re all doing well.

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