By Colin 
At just seventeen years old, Gabrielle Aplin has already carved out a place for herself in the hearts of thousands of music lovers across the UK. Though unsigned, the Wiltshire-born singer-songwriter has achieved what many major-label artists dream of: a dedicated fanbase, a self-released EP, and a tour itinerary that has taken her around the country. With a striking blend of maturity and youthful passion, Aplin is a rising star whose music speaks louder than any marketing campaign ever could.
“I’ve been touring all over the country,” she says casually, as if it’s no big deal for someone who’s still a teenager. But her commitment to her craft, which includes writing, recording and performing her own material, speaks volumes. It is a path she began forging from a very young age.
“My earliest musical memory was my aunt giving me her old keyboard,” Aplin recalls. “I was almost frustrated with not knowing how to play it, and that’s what made me want to learn.” That initial spark of frustration quickly ignited a passion for music that hasn’t dimmed since. Instead, it has grown into a deep, personal connection to songwriting and performance, one that she nurtures with an almost old-soul reverence.
From YouTube Covers to Original Voice
When she talks about her musical influences, it’s with a kind of sincerity that’s rare in an era of curated personas. Asked who she would choose to work with in a dream recording session, Aplin hesitates, not for lack of options but because there are just too many. “Ahhh. I’d probably choose Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and Bon Iver, purely because they are three of my favourite artists and are influential to me,” she says. “I also love The Script and The Fray… I don’t know, there’s too many great artists to choose from!”
That list paints a vivid picture of her artistic DNA: poetic, emotionally resonant and grounded in a tradition of authenticity. Her own sound borrows from these influences while carving out a unique identity. “I’d probably say Joni Mitchell’s earlier work, about 30 years later, but structured the same way as a pop song… with real instruments!” she says, laughing, when asked to describe her music to a stranger.
That emphasis on real instruments is something she returns to often. “Obviously it’s been done before,” she acknowledges, “but at the moment, I love the idea of real percussion and real instruments as opposed to programming everything you do to get a cool sound. I prefer to use a real piano, and then put effects on it to make it sound quirky, as opposed to just using a synth.”
In an age where bedroom producers can layer a thousand effects on a track with the click of a mouse, Aplin is deliberately choosing a more tactile route. Her songs are built around acoustic guitars, pianos, and a voice that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s a sound that connects, not only because of the tools she uses but because of the emotion she channels through them.
On Her Own Terms
That emotional thread continues into her listening habits, which are as varied as they are telling. If stranded on a desert island for a year, Aplin says she would take Saved by Tinashe, For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver, and the latest album by The Script. “I think there’s every kind of song on Saved!” she enthuses, showing an ear for both lyrical depth and sonic versatility.
And while most artists would wince at revealing their guilty pleasures, Aplin embraces hers with a refreshing lack of shame. “Probably the fact I have my own songs on [my MP3 player],” she laughs. “If I had something on my iPod, I must like it for it to be there, so I won’t be ashamed to admit that I like it!”
That mix of self-awareness and unfiltered honesty is part of what makes Aplin so compelling, not only as a musician but as a young woman navigating the early days of a career in music. She is keenly aware of the industry’s pressure to conform, but she is choosing her own route instead. She describes her next steps as developing her sound to the point of feeling ready to share it with more people. That development will not come from studio gimmicks or radio trends. It will come from time, experience and staying true to the kind of music she wants to make.
She is not slowing down any time soon either. “I’m doing a second UK tour in November and December,” she says, already sounding like a seasoned pro. The dates are listed on her website, and her fans, many of whom discovered her via YouTube and have been following her every step, are eagerly anticipating the shows.
Despite all this early momentum, Aplin remains grounded. She is thoughtful, deliberate and, perhaps most importantly, hungry to grow. Her story is not one of overnight success or viral fame. It is the story of an artist steadily building something real, brick by brick and chord by chord.
And while she may not be signed, Gabrielle Aplin is far from unnoticed. She has already amassed a following that many major-label artists would envy, and she has done it on her own terms by relying on talent, tenacity and a genuine connection with her audience.
In an industry often dominated by polish and packaging, it is the raw sincerity of artists like Aplin that cuts through the noise. Whether she is singing into a webcam, a studio mic or to a room full of fans, she is the same person: someone who simply loves music and wants to share it in the most honest way she can.
As she prepares for the next chapter, with more writing, more recording and more live shows, it is clear that Gabrielle Aplin is just getting started. If her journey so far is any indication, the best is yet to come.
Colin