Meet Gideon Peters | Singer-songwriter

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

Hi Gideon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Growing up I was a very introverted child. My introvertedness reflected in how I related with people or expressed my feelings. I would hardly talk about the things that hurt me or how I was feeling. But music was such an effortless outlet. I would start off just being a lover of good music. I remember being hooked on a bunch of different artistes like Mali Music, Tye Tribette, Jamie Grace, Colton Dixon, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, BarlowGirl, Justin Bieber, etc. To be honest, they’re so many, I can’t remember every single one.
Before I knew it, I found myself journaling some of the things I felt, and composing songs off those. Initially, I didn’t think I was good enough in terms of talent and also in terms of moral standing. I would always just feel defeated. Years later, there were a numebr of situations where I would have to sing to people. Some notable experiences included one time during our school assembly, the college proprietor asked that all the senior boys come up on stage and give a special presentation. For whatever reason, I was pushed to the very front and asked to sing, which I did.
What started as a forced and shaky performance became something I poured my heart into and blessed other students that listened. It was evident from the silence in the hall and the feedback after.
After that I became bolder about sharing some songs I had written and I shared a few. Down the line, I got more active singing in church outside school, and I could tell I was meant to be doing this! I would watch TV and see someone singing and feel a fire burning inside, it would feel almost like, this is my gift, this is my calling.
In the last 5 years, I have become more intentional about writing music and sharing it. So far I have 3 singles out, an upcoming EP and album to be released this year.
I decided to do this to inspire others like me that struggle to see themselves with immense worth, others like me that may be more isolated or reserved but are overflowing with so much emotion. I decided to share God’s love the best way I know how, through music. And it’s what makes me feel most alive, most fulfilled. I know this is what I am meant to do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My music is very experimental, I swing between Pop, RnB, dance Pop, and Gospel. But one thing that ties it all together is my storytelling. I write my songs to take you on a very vivid journey. I write each song with the hope that if the listener closed their eyes, they would be right were I was when I wrote the song. The genre is not as important to me, its a means to an end. The most critical thing is making sure I convey the emotion and message behind every song, whatever genre or melody helps me do that, I implement.
A lot of my journey today has been fuelled by the people around me and personal experiences. I have had to rise above shame or the thoughts and expectations of others and create my art unashamedly. My faith plays a huge aspect in it, so all the music I write, embodies those values. I would say it was definitely not easy, but one day, I realized that everyone was just figuring out life, we all have one shot and I decided to make the most of my one shot. At the end of my life, I want to know I gave it my all.
Ultimately, my goal is to help everyone know they are deserving of love, both God’s love and the love of others. I want people to know they are bigger than the mistakes that try to define them, that they are much more than the negative labels people try to impose on them. And that there is space for them in the spaces that they need. My debut single “Wonderfully & Fearfully Made” addresses this from a physical point of view. I wrote it struggling to see myself the way God sees me; beautiful, whole and loved. After releasing it, I had so many stories from people of how it helped shaped their perspective and love themselves more. This was so fulfilling to me.
I want people to think “Gideon Peters” and go “yeah, he makes me feel love, wholeness and peace”. I want them to feel like someone sees them completely. I want them to feel God’s love in every aspect of their lives.

In February, I am releasing a song titled “Fool For You” where I encourage my listeners to give vulenerability in love a chance. I give it a playful twist, but every word is as deep as it gets. Over the course of this year I have my debut EP and debut album coming out. They are both titled “WELLS”, which is just an acronym for “Walk in Ever Lasting Love”, the “S” is just to highlight that it is the first of many to come. The project explores my navigation of identity confusion through experiences I shared with God from my childhood up until now. It’s a project for everyone, everyone is welcome and everyone would leave with something. I am so excited for it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a funny question cause I’m based in Montreal, and whenever my friends visit, I take them to the top of Mount Royal. It’s not a very long climb, but it’ll get you sweating. They don’t enjoy it much lol. But the view is amazing! Regardless of the panting that’ll follow, I would take them there.
Montreal is such a beautiful city to be honest, I’m pretty sure there would be some festival happening, hopefully they come in May when the Jazz Fest is running. We would definitely go for a couple of shows.
There’s this nice brunch place I always visit called Universel Grillades, we’d go there and have their “Universal Breakfast”, its a discovery lol.
Old port is also really nice, I’d take them to the water front and we’d just take in the peaceful view and trade stories of how far we’ve come in our life journies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh yes! I’d like to thank my parents Dr. & Major Peters. They have been such a pivotal aspect of my story. They recognized my gift of singing quite early and encouraged me in the best ways they knew how. They got me my first keyboard as a high school graduation gift. They also enrolled me for piano lessons quite early. When my debut music video was out, they made sure to broadcast it live for everyone in church to watch. They have always supported me and it means the world to me.
My siblings Favour and Isaiah Peters have also been quite instrumental, cheering me on through every tough time and reminding me how talented I am. I have also been fortunate to be supported by so many creative organizations like TWR Music, JAPA, JIM ministries and Vivify Ministries.
My appreciation would not be complete without recognizing my friends, every single one of them carry my art on their heads. They remind me everyday that my art matters, that my story is important. That I am bigger than my mistakes and there are people that need to hear my story.
Most importantly, God has given me direction and strength through all of this. And he has brought these amazing people and organizations into my life, for that I am so thankful!

Website: https://linktr.ee/gideonpeters

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gideonpeters___/

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

Twitter: https://www.x.com/gideonpeters/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gideon.peters2

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

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rIWRr75q8ZaXNeHzmnLbg?si=Z732NKb9QPiUfh0meBiKoQ

Image Credits
Whitestone Creations, Lotus Media