Gabe Simon: ‘If I do things I love, and I don’t put pressure on them, that’s the key’
Gabe Simon, the songwriter and producer best known for co-writing and co-producing Noah Kahan's last two albums, has spoken to Music Business Worldwide about the unlikely breaks that shaped his career. He initially expected a co-write on Dua Lipa's debut album to let him quit driving for Uber, but the track earned little money, teaching him a harsh lesson about songwriting economics before a solo song later licensed for an advert finally gave him financial stability.
The turning point came when Simon, close to giving up after three years of Uber driving alongside songwriting, wrote a despondent track called Tambourine for his solo project Mr. Gabriel, which was subsequently licensed for a Marshalls advert and earned a million dollars. Since then he has worked with artists including Dermot Kennedy, Lana Del Rey and James Bay, co-produced Kahan's 4x Platinum album Stick Season and his chart-topping follow-up The Great Divide, and launched his own co-publishing venture, Abide By The Vibe.
- Songwriter Gabe Simon discusses his breakthrough with Noah Kahan's hit albums.
- A Marshalls ad licensing deal for his song Tambourine changed his career.
- He has since launched publishing venture Abide By The Vibe.
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Songwriters can earn money in several ways, including fees or royalties when their work is recorded, performed or used in adverts. A co-write on a major artist’s album may bring little income if the song does not generate many sales or streams, so a credit alone does not guarantee financial security.
Gabe Simon is an American songwriter and producer who has worked with artists including Noah Kahan, Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey. He also releases music under the name Mr. Gabriel, and his experience reflects how different routes — writing for other artists and licensing his own songs for adverts — can shape a career.