Singer-Songwriter GAYLE on Opening for Taylor and Praying to Aretha

This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists from UNIIQU3, and Chelsea Wolfe, and Shygirl. This week, we spoke to singer-songwriter GAYLE, who at just 19 already has a viral TikTok hit and a Grammy nom under her belt, not to mention the world’s most coveted gig: opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. Last week, GAYLE dropped her new single  “Kinda Smacks” (ft. Royal & The Serpent), delivering yet another earworm with a dramatic, bitchy flair. For Sound Advice, GAYLE crafted us a playlist that reflects her “superior taste in music,” as she put it, and talked all things Taylor, Aretha, Lil Wayne, and Lana.

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Where do you dance? Everywhere.

Bluetooth or wired headphones? I have Apple headphones that are green or blue, I’m not really sure what color, but I enjoy them. I listen to music way too loud and I’m honestly scared for the future of my eardrums. I think they are wireless and bluetooth!

What’s your go-to post-show meal? Either McDonald’s or Waffle House. I normally get a bacon egg and cheese hash brown with my eggs over light instead of scrambled from Waffle House, and a double cheeseburger with nuggets, with a hot fudge sundae with fries and a Sprite, from McDonald’s.

Best moment from the Eras tour? I kicked my drummer off the drums on the last show. But also just seeing that many people in one room was really cool.

Where do you like to write music? It doesn’t matter where I write, I just like writing with my friends.

What’s the best TikTok you’ve seen using your music? I remember seeing when people started making videos to “abc” and it was such a beautiful, magical time of my life. The first video I remember seeing was people doing American Sign Language to my song and that made me really excited. That was awesome.

Who do you trust most with the aux?  Myself, nobody else. I have superior taste in music and am better than all of you.

What was your first concert? Aretha Franklin—the love of my life. I pray to her altar every single day.

What song do you have on repeat right now? “Me OK” by Jeezy.

What’s your favorite Taylor era? Why? Reputation and folklore are constantly fighting each other in my heart—but also, 1989.

If you could work with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? Probably Labrinth and also Amy Winehouse.

The world is ending, what are you wearing? Idk the world is ending.

Favorite music venue in your hometown? Probably Nissan Stadium because I got to play there with Taylor Swift. I really like Exit/In. I also really like The End. And I also like Ascend, but I also like Bridgestone, but I also like The Wild Horse Saloon. I’m not going to lie.

What’s your national anthem? “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey.

What song on this playlist makes you want to cry? “My Dog Died” by Susannah Joffe.

What song on this playlist makes you want to dance? “A Milli” by Lil Wayne.

Who’s the Queen of Pop? Taylor Swift is the queen of everything.

What’s a song you wish you wrote?  “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift.

Who was your top artist of last year? Come on, come on, we all know—Taylor Swift.