“It was pretty immediate for me…” says singer-songwriter Wrabel, of when he knew he wanted a career in music, having started playing piano and writing songs in his late teens. “Once I started writing, I knew this is what I wanted to do forever.”
Along with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, he notes his Great Uncle Carl as one of his earliest influences: “My Great Uncle Carl had an incredible voice. He truly could’ve been up there with them, but never followed singing as a career path. He recorded songs as a hobby and shared them with friends and family, so I still to this day have hundreds of his songs on a hard drive. We’d listen to him every morning on the way to school.”
With a long collaborative resume that includes Kesha, P!nk, Marshmello, and Backstreet Boys, Wrabel released his long-awaited debut in September. these words are all for you showcases his trademark, beautifully intimate performances and powerhouse songwriting. “It’s different every time,” he says, of writing music. “Most of the time chords/music comes first. Whether from me tinkering around on a piano or guitar or a collaborator or producer. Then I like to free associate mumble to find melodies and hope and pray that a word or string of words comes out of my mouth by some miracle. I depend a lot on what I call the ‘mystical magical’ muse that floats around. Some days it’s just not there, some days you can’t stop it. Rarely, but on occasion — especially when writing for myself — I’ll come up with an idea first. A title or concept or story I want to tell.”
The new album took 10 years to write and perfect. “There are so many times I could have given up,” he says. “So many times I could have just surrendered and accepted as fact that it would never see the light of day. I’m most proud that, with the help of so many people around me, I saw it through.”
The constant search for meaning is a perpetual inspiration. “Finding love, losing it, repeating that process a few times…and finding something beautiful.”
Here’s a day in the life of Wrabel.
Date October 28, 2021
Time I woke up 9:30 a.m.
Every day starts with Coffee in bed and then coffee on the couch.
Breakfast consists of More coffee and maybe a smoothie or bowl.
To get going I always Wash my face even if I don’t shower. Have to do my whole face routine before facing the world.
I don’t feel dressed without A watch and a fragrance.
Before I start working I must Have some quality time with my dog Super. Fetch in the hallway and a nice walk and some snuggles.
Currently working on Writing with a few artists for their projects. And putting together an art book. I just released my debut record, so I’m trying not to put any pressure on myself to create for myself through the end of the year.
But I’d really love to be On vacation (haven’t been in 6+ years).
Book I’m reading Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Knowby Alexandra Horowitz.
I don’t know how anyone ever Wakes up before 8:00 a.m.
If I had to play one album on repeat, it would beStrange and Beautifulby Aqualung.
The perfect midday consists of A nice walk with my dog Super. Maybe a pop into a shop.
To help get through the day I need Lots of water and something sweet.
Not a day goes by without speaking to My boyfriend, mom, and manager.
My daydreams consist of Traveling and things I want to buy (lol).
In a perfect day, in a perfect world It would be clear blue skies, 70 degrees, and we would all be kind to one another.
I’ll always fight for LGBTQ+ people that have had bad experiences with religion/church.
Currently in love with The year+ of purging my closet and Harloe’s song “Crush on You”.
Hoping to make time to watch Season 9 of Blacklist.
By my bedside I always have Hand serum, a lip mask, and a 1.5L bottle of Evian.
To help get through the night I have a teddy bear named Peter.
Bed time 12:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
When I think about tomorrow, it’s always Dreams of a family and writing songs forever.
