Interview: Toronto's Gabi Epstein talks 'Gabi's Chill Mix'

Gabi Epstein is an up-and-comer on the Toronto theatre scene, and she is putting on a special concert this Saturday, February 20th entitled "Gabi's Chill Mix." A long time musical theatre performer, Gabi has performed in Acting Up Stage's "Edges" (which she co-produced with Sara Farb), Talk is Free Theatre's "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Napoleon", Smile Theatre's "Make ‘Em Laugh" and on Disney Cruise Lines in a variety of roles. Her brother Jake Epstein, is currently playing the role of Melchoir in the US National Tour of Spring Awakening, and Gabi is about to release her debut solo CD.

"Gabi's Chill Mix" is an event which will hopefully serve to showcase Gabi's voice to a wider audience ahead of her CD release. The idea was born out of an iPod playlist that showcased songs from her high school years. While listening to it one day, Gabi thought that it would be fun to recreate some of those songs in her own unique style. Some of the artists that will be featured include Counting Crows, Ani DiFranco, Hawksley Workman, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lisa Loeb. The event takes place at the Bread and Circus at 10PM on February 20th. Gabi took a few minutes to answer some of our questions and give us some more information on what we can expect to see from her in the future:

You have a Cabaret evening coming up called Gabi's Chill Mix...could you tell us a bit about what to expect?

Well, when I was touring a kids show this summer, I found myself rediscovering a lot of my old music on my iPod shuffle. And these great songs from this one particular mix I made in high school kept on popping up-- songs by Counting Crows, Ani Difranco, Pearl Jam, Hawksley Workman, and Lisa Loeb. It got me thinking-- instead of covering one or two of these great songs in a show why don't I recreate the whole disc in concert form! So that's what I'm doing. You can expect nostalgic late 90's songs performed in my own style on a cabaret stage.

For a lot of people, the songs you are featuring will bring them back to high school, do you think that's something people want to re-experience?

For me personally, high school was amazing. I had the great opportunity to go to a performing arts school in Toronto where not only could I take performance classes for credit, but I could also take advantage of the amazing facilities of all of the arts departments in the extra-curricular activities I was a part of. It was a really creative learning environment and was pretty integral in shaping me into the person I am today. So, I guess I have a little bit of a different experience than most. That being said, everybody can relate to the music they listened to in high school-- for most that was an escape, and the experiences we had outside of school usually revolved around the music in our lives. So, it's not about bringing people back to high school, it's more about remembering a very specific time in all of our lives I think we can all relate to.

What are some of your favourite performers from that time period?

Most of the guys from my mix actually! I'm a big Alanis (Morissette) fan-- I think she's a total individual. Pearl Jam, Our Lady Peace (I used to be in love with Raine Maida), Ani Difranco, No Doubt... I was never really into the teeny bopper stuff, but we all love SOME Spice Girls... don't deny it. And I had a really strange Weird Al phase when I was about ten... very bizarre...

And how about now? Any favourites on the pop music scene?

I'm actually thrilled with pop music right now. He's not really on the "pop music scene" but Hawksley Workman is one of my favourites. He's the real deal. And his live performances are unbelievable. I think I've seen him live six times. I also love singers like Alicia Keys and Joss Stone and Sara Bareilles. John Mayer's newer stuff is really great. And the fact that we can have somebody in the pop music world like Lady Gaga is awesome. She's such an individual and really pushes the envelope while still being a great artist and musician. I think audiences are really appreciating great musicians these days which is fantastic.

Cabaret nights seem to be increasing in the Toronto area, with a lot of great talent hosting wonderful evenings. Do you try and get out and support other artists?

That has to be a part of what we do. As a performer you almost have to budget to fit in other people's performances. The only way our theatre community is going to thrive is if we are all out there supporting each other. Not only do others return the favour when this happens, but you learn so much watching others. And I've made most of my friends in the theatre community by being at a show and meeting them there. So not only do I "try" to get out and support others, it's part of my job (in the best way possible!) and I love doing it.

There are a lot of great shows coming to Toronto for the 2010 season, anything on your "must-see" list?

I just saw two amazing shows in the past couple of weeks-- Acting Up Stage's "The Light in the Piazza" and TIFT and Birdland's "Assassins". These are not the big Mirvish money makers but they are the ones to see in my opinion. I love anything done by these two companies and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. And... well ... I'm going to be singing with the National Ballet's production of "The West Side Story Suite" in June... so I'll be watching that one every night! And I always get out to Stratford and Shaw in the summer. Their performances are fantastic.

You co-produced and starred in "Edges" for Acting Up Right with Sara Farb, who recently did an interview for us as well. Do you two plan to do anything together in the future?

From your lips to God's ears!! We are always talking about what our next "producing" project is going to be. Co-producing and performing in "Edges" was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life and so I am always up for working with Sara again. She is also one of my best friends so that helps too! We are in talks with someone for a potential project next season so that's a possibility, and then one day, we'll probably run our own theatre company! We like to think big.

Who are some of your favourite up and comers in Toronto? Or ones to watch?

Well, all of the people Sara mentioned in her interview are definite heavy hitters-- Michael Hughes, Jeigh Madjus, Allie Hughes, and of course Sara herself but some others are Kelly Holliff, Jeni Walls, Aaron Mackenzie (if I named everybody worthy of being mentioned this interview would never end) -- all so incredibly talented and amazing people. It also helps that they all happen to be my good friends.

When and Where?
"Gabi's Chill Mix"

The Bread and Circus

299 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON

$7 Cover, Tickets can be purchased at the door

For more information please visit Gabi's website at www.gabiepstein.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.