We were lucky to catch up with Gabriella Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriella, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up struggling to make friends because I always felt a little different, like I didn’t quite fit into any category. Therefore, when I entered middle school, a time when emotions run even deeper and more intense, that feeling of not belonging became even stronger. I often felt unwanted and left out, and it was devastating. The only thing that stayed with me was music. Songs whose lyrics seemed to encapsulate and understand exactly how I felt. That comfort made me realize the incredible power of music, and it led me to wonder how many people are out there, probably feeling the same way, without anything to turn to for relief. That thought inspired me to start writing my own songs, especially ones that are vulnerable, healing, and understanding.

Gabriella, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

how you got into your industry

I grew up in a very musical household where my mum is a vocal coach, so music was always a big part of my life. From a young age, she took my musical education seriously and constantly surrounded me with all kinds of music, from classical to pop, R&B to musical theatre. That early exposure sparked a deep passion for music, which gradually developed into a love for songwriting.
My time at Berklee truly deepened that passion. The environment constantly challenged and inspired me, and I am deeply grateful for how much it shaped me as an artist. Later, when I went through a difficult period in my life and felt like music was the only thing I could hold on to, it became the catalyst that helped me realize how meaningful songwriting was to me. Those three years at Berklee also opened my eyes to everything that happens behind the scenes and gave me a much clearer understanding of the music world and all the work that goes into it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The ability to turn thoughts into lyrics and melodies, to transform emotions into art, is something I find incredibly powerful. Music has this beautiful way of making people feel heard, seen, and understood, reminding them they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through. I’m forever fascinated by how one song can hold a thousand different meanings, depending on who’s listening and what they’ve lived through. Knowing that my music can reach someone halfway across the world and make them feel connected to me, even just for a few minutes, is one of the most rewarding parts of being a creative person.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Being creative isn’t always just fun. It’s a lot of thinking, feeling, and constant internal chaos. Your mind rarely shuts off; there’s always an idea forming, a melodic hook, a fraction of lyrics, or an emotion waiting to be turned into something. It can be mentally overstimulating, almost like you’re living with the volume permanently turned up. You feel everything more intensely than most people, such as joy, heartbreak, nostalgia, and you’re constantly processing double or triple the amount of emotions others might experience in a day.
What people often see is only the polished surface: the three-minute song, the performance, the finished art piece. What they don’t see are the months of invisible work behind it — the writing, revising, producing, designing, and doubting — the endless cycle of creating and rebuilding until it finally feels right. There’s beauty in that process, but also a kind of exhaustion that’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_gabriellalin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-lin-6a233b371
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gabriellalinnn?si=a7Lz8swfz3UlZafc