Q&A: Devon Gabriella on Tour Life, Self-Belief, and Bringing “The Garden” to New York City
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY ANNALESE NICOLE ☆
Photos By Annalese Nicole
WHEN SINGER-SONGWRITER DEVON GABRIELLA RETURNED TO NEW YORK CITY, it wasn’t just another tour stop, it was a full-circle moment. The last time she was here, she was seventeen, walking the streets and dreaming about the day she’d come back as an artist. Now, opening for Sombr on tour, that dream has come true, and it’s only the beginning.
Devon spent a day in NYC with the The Luna Collective to talk about opening for Sombr on tour, finding calm in chaos, and how her recent project The Garden has grown into more than just an EP, it’s become a community.
LUNA: How did it feel to share your music with a New York crowd?
GABRIELLA: It was incredible. I hadn’t been back to the city since I was seventeen, and when I was here last, I remember dreaming of coming back and performing. Last night, it actually happened. The way it all came together was amazing. I can’t even describe it , it was an out-of-body experience. I tend to block out the crowd sometimes, but looking at everyone’s faces… it hit me. It was the biggest show I’ve ever played.
LUNA: Do you have a pre-show ritual?
GABRIELLA: I do. Lately I’ve been doing guided meditation. I’ll go into the bathroom while everyone’s hanging out in the green room, breathe, and just center myself. I’ve also gotten into the habit of high-fiving myself in the mirror, and I kind of love it. It grounds me and connects me to myself.
It’s funny because you’re touching your reflection, but it feels real, like this reminder that you’re here. Sometimes I’ll throw in a little Sharpay Evans moment and give myself a pep talk. My friends make fun of me for it, but it feels so good. If the show’s going to happen regardless, I can either freak out about it or go onstage and do my best. It’s a good way of centering myself. And Lord knows I need it.
LUNA: How long have you been on the road for this tour?
GABRIELLA: We’re almost halfway through. I think it’s five weeks total, but I’ve never been on the road this long and never done this many shows in a row, or this size of shows. Nothing really prepares you for going from 25-cap rooms to 9,000. You just have to believe in yourself like you’ve never believed before. Honestly, fake it till you make it. In the beginning I told myself, “I’m going to go on stage like I’ve done this a thousand times.” The mind is so powerful , if you’re talking negatively to yourself, it shows. I try to focus on gratitude, like, How lucky am I to be doing this? It’s a privilege to do it on this scale, and I want to do it forever.
LUNA: I saw a video of you putting flower crowns on your band. What’s the story behind that?
GABRIELLA: When I released my song “The Garden,” it really came to life visually, flowers, frolicking, mystical energy. The whole world around it started to form in a special way.
Flower crowns were huge around 2015, think Coachella, and I thought it would be fun to bring them back, but in a more modern way. Flowers have always been calming to me, a source of beauty, and everyone loves receiving flowers.
I found an old flower crown in my closet and made a TikTok with it, and it just became a thing. When we did a live session, I joked about making all the guys in my band wear flower crowns. They pretended not to like it, but they secretly love it.
Now, when I introduce the band during shows, I crown each of them with flowers. It’s become this sweet little ritual. Fans have started showing up wearing their own flower crowns, and that’s how I’ve started recognizing people who’ve followed my music, seeing them in the front row with their crowns. It’s built this small community, and as an opener, that connection means so much.
LUNA: If you could perform anywhere in New York City, dream venue, where would it be?
GABRIELLA: Don’t tempt me with a good time, Madison Square Garden. I want to bring The Garden to The Garden. I like to be a little delusional and dream big. I’ve always had this feeling that I’m meant for a bigger purpose. Of course there were times I doubted how I’d get there, but never if. Every birthday and New Year’s, I light candles like a little séance and write in my journal, I will tour. I will have my biggest year in music. I will be the happiest I’ve ever been.
And this year, all of it’s happened. So maybe it’s working.
LUNA: How do you celebrate after a good show?
GABRIELLA: Honestly? I go straight to bed. As much as I love being on stage, I love my bed just as much. Give me a hot chocolate, a cozy show to stream, and I’m happy. Sometimes I’ll scroll through videos from the show, say hi to fans or thank people. They’re the best. But mostly I’m resting so I can keep my energy up for the rest of the tour.
My band makes fun of me because I’m always taking “wellness roots” and Emergen-C packets. I’m trying to keep my immune system alive! My parents remind me to take care of myself. They’ve seen how long I’ve wanted this and they’re so supportive. But they always say, “You have to prioritize yourself first.” I want to do this forever, so that means taking care of my voice, my body, and my mind.
LUNA: When you listen back to your first project versus The Garden, what emotions come up?
GABRIELLA: My first project was literally me DM’ing producers I admired, asking to work together even though I had no music out yet. I’d drive four hours to sessions just hoping it would lead somewhere. Those songs were my first real attempts at being in the industry, so of course I look back and think, I’ve grown so much since then. But I still love it for what it was. It captured where I was at the time, what I knew how to do.
With The Garden, I feel so much more connected. I understand myself as an artist now, and it feels authentic to who I am. It’s special to see old songs becoming full-circle moments on tour.
LUNA: If you could have everyone in the world listen to one of your songs, which would it be?
GABRIELLA: “The Garden”, for sure. When I wrote that song, I let go of all expectations. I just started from where I was. It’s the epitome of following my instincts.
That song feels like an introduction to my world ; the music, the imagery, the community. It’s a good place to start, and it feels foundational for everything I’m working on next.
LUNA: What’s next for you after this tour?
GABRIELLA: I want to tour forever. Before this tour, I was in a ton of recording sessions, and now I’ve got about seven new songs sitting in a folder. I even wrote one called “Old Times Sake” on tour, and people have been responding really well to it.
I just want to keep releasing consistently. I know every artist says this, but I’ve truly never been this excited. My next project leans into that Fleetwood Mac energy, a little timeless, a little ethereal. I want to keep growing and creating what feels good to me and my listeners. Hopefully I’ll be back soon for my own headline shows.
LUNA: If you could send a message to everyone discovering you on this tour, what would you want to say?
GABRIELLA: First of all, thank you. Being the opener can be intimidating, most people aren’t there for you, and that’s scary. But the warmth I’ve felt on this tour has been incredible.
Sombr’s fans are truly the best. It takes something special to watch an artist you’ve never heard before and really listen. I just want to welcome everyone who’s found me through these shows into The Garden. I’ve got a flower crown waiting for you.
