Bedford-based singer-songwriter Anita Gabrielle, or self-proclaimed ‘dyke in a hat’, has spent her life writing music.
Last year she found out that her beloved brother had Parkinson’s Disease, which has been the inspiration for Anita’s new EP ‘Just Neat’, written to inject some positivity into the deeply upsetting news from her brother.
Heavily influenced by Joni Michell, Anita began writing and performing music in the 60s. Her music is very sweet and calming to listen to; with her sweet but strong voice shining through all the way. You can see the inspiration from Joni Michell in the way she compiles her melodies as if they were a story.
Anita Gabrielle has had an interesting artistic career to say the least, facing plenty of prejudice as a lesbian woman. Regardless, Anita has had national coverage of her band ‘The Crew’ in Melody Maker, while she’s also supported icons such as Divine and Labi Siffre.
Anita is also a passionate campaigner for older women’s’ rights and for LGBTQ+ issues, partly due to herself being ‘outed’ in a newspaper in the 80s just as her career was taking off.
The song ‘Best Friends’, which was released as a single alongside her new EP ‘Just Neat’, is about her brother. It is a tribute to her relationship with him and also features the talents from Grammy-award winner Amy Wadge – who is best known for her collaborations with Ed Sheeran.
All money will go to Parkinson’s research and Anita has also set up a Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/anita-gabrielle
Written by Francesca Bass
Just Giving Link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/anita-gabrielle
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-739931300/sets/just-neat/s-OJK1wPdt7ix
Apple: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/avenue-louise-single/1531735236?uo=4&app=itunes&at=1000lM6c
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5w6HNVWyruiVDyZQsISrge
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-loV4mhu8jLucGO6Gv9ZfA
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