American composer, singer, songwriter, and sonic storyteller Gabriel Kahane uses pop, folk, and classical music to craft captivating works that illustrate the human experience. Gabriel discusses the importance of using music to create community, his song Sit Shiva, what type of opera he imagines he'd write if given the opportunity, and how he responds to humor that is ultimately empathetic. Reflecting on the influences of his psychologist mother, concert pianist father, and his musical childhood filled with violin, piano, guitar, and singing, Gabriel talks about his start at New England Conservatory as a jazz pianist, how his interest shifted to theater at Brown, and his ultimate arrival in New York with his cellist friend Alisa Weilerstein where he began to write songs. Check out Gabriel Kahane on Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram. Follow David on Instagram. You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web. Photograph of Gabriel Kahane by Jason Quigley. The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper. Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman.  This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format. Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.