Timur Gabriel
Malaysia’s Timur Gabriel introduces her wonderful r&b/jazz influence to the music scene. Currently based in Munich, the singer/songwriter has grown up with a passion for music. She says that she has “always followed the ‘safe path’”, leading to her eventual degree in Psychology and Business Management. After making her Spotify premiere with “Aphrodite”, however, it is clear that Timur was always made for making songs. A unique voice paired with catchy melodies is what makes the debut single. It received significant success on the platform, too, gaining over 12k streams and earning her over 6k monthly listens. We recently spoke with the up and coming artist about when she decided to pursue a career in music, future projects, and more!
How did you start making music?
I consider myself a creative writer and have been writing a lot of poems and short stories since I was a child. I’ve always felt like I could probably write songs too but didn’t know where to begin. Then a friend and fellow artist recommended I download some loops and start building from there. I wrote my first complete song (which you will never hear) earlier this year and have been writing since. “Aphrodite” is probably the 6th or 7th song that I wrote.
When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Soon after I realized I wasn’t too bad a songwriter, haha! I quit my job right before COVID-19 became a massive problem and I thought to myself, “You know what, Timur, you can write, you can sing, there’s a virus keeping your indoors - what’s stopping you???”. So, I got in touch with a producer and started working on a single, which I didn’t even plan on releasing. But “Aphrodite” is out now, and I can’t be happier about it!
What are some things you enjoy doing outside of the studio?
I read and write A LOT. I read nearly 20 books last year alone. Reading so much inspires me to write, so I end up putting my book down halfway through a chapter to write a thought or a line, or lyric in my diary all the time. I’m also an actress, so I sometimes write my own monologues and record myself performing them.
You recently released your debut single, “Aphrodite”. How did it feel to finally release that for the public?
Gosh, nerve-wracking! But... also very natural? When I finally saw it up, it really felt like it was a long time coming. I don’t know, thinking about it now makes me palpitate, haha!
What song have you had on repeat recently?
“North & South” by Yakul (My producer’s band).
Who’s someone that you’d love to make a song with?
Alextbh, a fellow Malaysian artist.
What are you planning for the future?
My goal is to release an EP with my producer, James Berkeley. But right now, I’m still trying to find my “sound”, and am taking the time to explore genres within the R&B realm. I’m also writing a lot, so I feel like, it’ll happen when it happens.
