An Artist You Should Know: GIMMY
GIMMY (pronounced ‘GIMMIE’ as in gimme more of that)’ is the brains and heart of Gemma Owens, someone you have certainly seen playing if you’ve spent any time around the Gold Coast/ Northern Rivers.
GIMMY has a stage presence unlike anyone I have ever seen before, a voice that truly makes something in your heart unclick, and just so happens to be one of the better people to have a beer with. Her music is full of gusto and heart, something that as the world wears us down, becomes harder and harder to find. And it doesn’t stop there. Every bit of creative direction you see oozing out of this one, from her music videos to the visual works is all GIMMY. With her recent single ‘Darlin, where have u been?’ recently released we thought it was about time for a chat. A true talent with an even bigger heart - let’s get familiar.
GIMMY, What is up! Long time coming for this chat.
I’m doing so good Sammy girl, sorry it has been a crazy couple of weeks. Keep missing you.
No stress, I get it. I’ve seen you bouncing around everywhere and getting engaged. Congrats!
Thank you! Yeah life has been good to me lately. Just got back from a little trip to Indo. In the love bubble. It’s lovely. Where are you?
I’m back on the Goldy. Not sure how long I will be here for.
(Laughs) I was going to say, where are you off to next? You’re always going somewhere aren’t you.
Mate I know, I’m a floater. Anyway, enough about me. Let’s jump in. Also side note. There’s going to be some questions in here that you know I know the answers to already so I just want to preface that incase you’re like why the fuck are you asking me this.
Alright, no worries.
Alright so tell us about your music history so far and how you’ve got to where you are today?
Yeah I’ve been in the music industry for about nine years now. Not counting.
(Laughs) you’ve been a pillar of the Gold Coast ( & Northern Rivers) music scene. It needs a defib, but you’re still here.
Yeah it’s been such a fun time but also such a slog. I started in a band called The Oogars. That was really fun, we were together for around four years. It was a good project to learn a lot about the industry. It was a super collaborative band but I guess I realised I wanted to do my own thing a bit more as time went on. I had a lot of creative energy that I wanted to orchestrate myself. So I went out on my own and went head first into touring with GIMMY saying yes to absolutely everything. Just absolutely burnt myself out. Didn’t know what the word balance or boundaries were whatsoever. Full on pedal to the medal.
That doesn’t sound like you.
(Laughs) Yeah, playing shows every weekend. Like it was wild but also had so many great experiences, lucked out with some mental opening slots like TOPS (CA), The Murlocs (AUS), Shannon & The Clams (USA) & more. Played some great festivals too. Won the Triple J Unearthed competition and got to open Main Stage at Splendour In The Grass, which is a pinnacle for an Australian Artist right? But then everything that could’ve gone wrong did on that show, which is just not what you want but that’s life right? It’s just chaos and how you manage yourself in those chaotic times. We played Beyond The Valley just after that which was interesting. Lots of topless men with head scarves.
(Laughs) on the money there.
But now yeah I’ve sort of slowed down. Found more balance and am becoming a picky bitch about where i give my energy. Still writing and releasing music. Still in it, just more my way.
Yeah tell me about your most recent release ‘Fall On Me.’
So it is a song about unity as people, and making that bridge between wanting to feel heard and be safe. It’s from a personal experience of mine when I went through quite a turbulent time, In a time when i was an absolute mess, A really special friend just held me completely and let me just have that moment. It was one of the first times I felt truly held by someone who werent my parents. And it just made me reflect on the fact that we all don’t want to be falling apart or feeling like a mess, but it happens and to have people who make us feel accepted and even celebrate that we’re not perfect sausages is really special - so it’s an ode to those people.
I love it. And who comes up with all the music video ideas?
I do!
No way. Wow. They are so cool. I just assumed that there was a director involved.
Well I come up with all the concepts and have pretty clear visions.. I have worked with talented videographers who are always helpful lending their visual advice and jumping into co-direction especially when i am behind the lens but I'd say I am quite a stubborn creative with my vision
God just a creative melting pot aren’t you. And I know you mentioned before about the slog that is being in the current music scene - can you elaborate on that more. What’s your honest opinion of the music industry right now in Australia?
Atrocious.
I thought you might say that.
Well ya know, it is such a privilege to play music. It's a privilege to get up on stage and have time to do the arts. You know that well yourself. But it’s just heartbreaking to see so much money go into football and things like that and see the music industry just suffer and dwindle. Everyone around the musician gets paid really well except the musician unless you’re mega, ya know. The whole culture is growing around the artist getting shortchanged every time. It’s really, really hard. I want it to be sustainable but it’s financially so tough to be a musician. And then you take on gigs, so it’s career zap and energy zap and this burn out cycle just continues on. It’s just really unsustainable right now.
What do you think could help with that? Like if you had a solution to put forward to the bloody arts government or whatever - what is the thing you would recommend?
My drummer Barclay, and I were talking about this recently actually and obviously we recognise it’s a pretty tough economy out there for everyone right now but it would be cool to see the government step in and create a bunch of free events. People can go to these events and find artists and it would be subsidised in part. The venues would then make money on drinks which instead of going fully to the venue, a percentage could then go to the artist. Create a more even split, instead of $50,000 to the venue and $500 to the artist.
Gotcha.
But yeah I think subsidised events would be the go. Make seeing live music more accessible and profitable for all parties, not just the big dawgs.
Great idea. Government guys if you’re reading this, you heard it here first. I probably should have asked this first but how would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music yet?
Jeez, I'm a bit of a mixed bag. That's exactly how I would describe actually - a mixed bag. Are you ready for a seventeen genre lineup right now?
Yeah, let's go.
I'd say indie rock, post punk, folk combo. Not too bad actually.
I love it. And what's on the cards for the rest of the year?
We are playing a festival soon in Tassie. We have a 7-track EP in the firing line ready to be released at the end of 2025 - beginning of 2026 followed by an AUS tour and our debut EU/UK tour. Pumped.
How exciting.
But for now we’re still on a bit of a rest break. Just been so burnt out hardcore, so taking most of the rest of the year off just to chill, but lots on the horizon.