Feature Friday - Vikki Gilmore
Name
Vikki Gilmore
Pronouns
She/Her
Bio
Inspired by everyday life and the vast intricacies of being human, Montreal-born Vikki Gilmore crafts meaningful narratives that ring tenderly relatable. Through her music, she seeks to create a connection between listeners and their personal journeys, allowing them to draw strength in self-expression.
Vikki’s songwriting discography has reached over 9 million listeners worldwide and has charted globally in the top 100 Singer/Songwriter, Country, Dance, and Electronic iTunes and Apple Music Charts.
Her 2023 debut album Mental Backroads follows an introspective journey of self-discovery along a metaphorical road trip through transformative life events and ever-evolving relationships with others and oneself.
The album mirrors Vikki’s own musical career to date, with a winding path and expansive songwriting discography in her rearview mirror. This road took her everywhere, from performances at Pop Montreal, Toronto’s historic Horseshoe Tavern for NXNE, and Ottawa Bluesfest; to Los Angeles for an EDM track with Rain Man under Steve Aoki’s label and a collaboration with Sonny Alven under Universal Music Group. These experiences helped her hone her craft and return to her roots, focusing on soulful songwriting and a folk-inspired sound.
Since 2018, Vikki has opened for notable touring acts such as Ziggy Alberts, Damian McGinty, Still Corners, Reina del Cid, and Port Cities.
Instagram
Music: @vikkigilmore
Photos: @theanalogdiarist
Website
https://vikkigilmore.com
Where in Montreal are you located?
Vieux-Port
What do you love about your neighborhood?
I love how artistic and romantic it is. There are live musicians in all the popular spots, art galleries all around, cobblestone roads that make for an extra romantic stroll, beautiful architecture, what more can you ask for?
What’s your favourite art space in Montreal and why?
Musique Beatnick and Photo Saint Denis combine my two favourite things: records and film photography. I got into film a few years ago and it quickly became my favourite place for quick and high quality development. So you can imagine how easy it is to spend far too much time on this block when right below the photo store is a record store!
Describe your art in your own words.
My music is my craft and photography is now my hobby. Both are my forms of self-expression. Songwriting has always been my way of untangling my thoughts and film photography is my new way of diarizing my adventures. In this stage of my life, this is my way of journalling.
What have you been working on recently?
My latest song Cowboy was written as my way to cope with grief. It was an offering to others experiencing the same grief. Now, I'm releasing it because grief needs company. This is my warm hug for a heavy heart, for anyone who’s lost someone too.
What sparked your passion for music?
I've always loved listening to music (as most people do). As a kid, I would memorize lyrics and come up with mash-up versions of songs to keep myself entertained. I'd write jingles for commercials and spent far too much time imagining what life would be like as Hannah Montana. I would do all of this privately, of course. I spent years cultivating the music my family members would share with me, each their own favourites, and I loved the way certain melodies and vocals would tickle my brain. I got to a point around 12-13 all I wanted to do was write songs. For my 16th birthday, I asked for an acoustic guitar as my big gift and later taught myself how to play from watching YouTube tutorials. I don't think I'll ever experience the motivation I did to learn 4 basic chords those first few days.
Describe your sound.
Folk with a bit of twang and a lot of pedal steel (shoutout Dylan Keating).
What does your creative process look like?
It typically starts with a feeling, whether I'm inventing storylines through lyrics or reflecting on my own experiences, I've always used songwriting as a way to unravel my feelings or that of other people's. I try to write from different perspectives but it always starts with a feeling. Love, grief, and longing are typically at the forefront, but throw in a few songs inspired by literature and you've got my entire discography! I'll either hum up a tune or strum a few chords, there's really no "official" process to my songwriting. It's like the chicken and the egg, no one knows which comes first. From there I write up the full song (general chords and lyrics). This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 15 months, give or take.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Phoebe Bridgers (+Boygenius), Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Hozier (got to play at the same festival last year, that was pretty crazy).
What do you love about playing live?
Since my writing process tends to be quite solitary, sharing my songs and pouring my heart out during live shows is my way of connecting my lyrics to others. It's a very vulnerable experience to sing for a live crowd. At my most recent show, I kept joking about how intimidating it was to have every single person paying FULL attention (as other musicians may know, this is a very rare occurrence and definitely something to be grateful for). I love bantering on stage between songs, sharing what they're about, and i especially love talking to people after a show. I love hearing which song they liked the most, stories of how they connect to certain lyrics and songs, and how much live music fuels the soul. I love connecting with other artists, listening to their craft and how they go about songwriting. I love being inspired by other acts that I share the stage with, listening to talented and passionate musicians play because its what they love to do. I love the entire experience of live music and the community it builds in every room or open air space. It really is a gift.
