Meet softpower | Singer-Songwriter, Music Producer, Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with softpower and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi softpower, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up between the Chicago suburbs and the north side of Chicago. I am the middle child of a musical family and studied piano between the ages of 7-17. In high school. My family was very religious and I pretty much only listened to gospel music until I reached the age of 12 when I discovered two of my favorite artists, Kimbra and Paramore.

In high school I sang in every choir I could and was also the pianist and vocalist in my school’s jazz band. I was always writing songs and coming up with music for my school’s choir to perform. In college, I studied film sound design and had a dream of being a movie director. But that dream didn’t stick around for very long as I soon discovered that I hated film and much preferred music over anything else. I still got my film sound design degree and used my knowledge of audio engineering to write, record, and produce my own music as well as compose for film and sound design various projects.Now I work as a composer for a children’s show by day and am an independent artist hoping to make that my full time career.
My musical upbringing truly shaped the my sound today. While my style leans vocally more toward the the jazzier and soul side of things, I have a huge appreciation for electronic and experimental music and try my best to fuse genre and not limit myself to any specific sound. I recently started a new musical project under the stage name softpower where I attempt to do this.

Additionally, although I grew up in a Christian household as a child, I no longer hold those beliefs and have had to do a great deal of religious deconstruction and self reflection, some of which I examine in my songwriting. I came out to my parents as bisexual at age 15 and also identify as genderfluid. Growing up a queer teen in the church was difficult and I am constantly having to come to terms with the rejection I faced from my parents and extended family. Having music as a way to express my thoughts and feelings around this has been cathartic and is always where I turn to for solace and comfort. Through my religious deconstruction I have also found spiritual practices that align with my worldview and am learning more about myself as an artist and person every day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer, songwriter, music producer, and composer. I released a self produced alternative jazz/soul album in 2022 under my given name Gabby Henderson. And have since then begun working on a new project under the stage name softpower. All of my art comes from a place of introspection and honesty.Sometimes creating music feels prophetic, and each time i make a new song I wonder if I will ever be able to write one again. It feels like I am receiving downloads from the universe at times. I can always tell when a new song is something extremely special.

In all honesty I am not at the place I want to be in my career yet. I have been writing and releasing music for the last 5 years, but every day is a struggle and a challenge. I do all of the recording, production, and mixing myself a still find it difficult to get people listen to my music. The landscape of music for independent artists is ever changing, and the road right now looks very bleak. The only thing that I can do is keep trying and believe in myself and this dream that I have. With every performance I do, and song I release, I know that I am one step closer to being a self sufficient artist.

Sometimes I find the courage to take leaps of faith. I moved to Los Angeles in January of 2023 after living in the Chicago area my whole life. By day I work as a composer for a children’s show and continue to work on my own music any chance that I get. It has not been easy thus far, and just hope that in a few years this will be a moment that I can look back on and be proud that I continued to persevere to accomplish my goals.

The intention behind the music I create under my moniker softpower is to find the power within myself to remain, to stand my ground, and continue to exist in a place of joy and self understanding.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have had many mentors over the years. Two that come to mind are my highschool jazz band director Mr. Glenn Williams and my friend Vincent Davis. In high school, Mr. Williams was the reason I joined jazz band and expanded my interest in singing jazz. He was always so encouraging and I am really grateful for how he pushed me to be a better musician and person.

Vincent Davis is someone I met in early 2020 and took music lessons with. We quickly became friends and he became such a positive and important influence in my life. He has always believed in me and my dreams of being a successful musician and I am very grateful for that.

Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qMoSc6qGzrsKeePOvweyF?si=pXOUn0auQg-Ae2ggxioTTw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softpower.wav/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellemhenderson/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@softpowerxmusic

Other: https://www.youtube.com/@gabby.maya11 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1g6eutfGAsN7tw13tkZ9n2?si=Lb6Ak7slQsOwbXixuwgHOw https://www.tiktok.com/@softpower.wav?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Chloe Harrington Zahra Siobhan Broderick Coursey