Getting To Know: GNS

The emerging futuristic, eclectic artist GNS has been meticulously crafting his latest single, "DONT MATTER," for over a year. This electrifying new track seamlessly blends a UK garage rhythm, an alternative RnB flow, and a groovy rap cadence, creating a unique soundscape that captivates listeners from the first beat.

"DONT MATTER" invites us into the world of GNS—a clingy and affectionate artist unafraid to express his emotions. Inspired by a heartfelt moment after a date, where GNS couldn't wait to text "I miss you" before even getting off the bus, the hook of the song was born the very next morning: "It don't matter when I saw you, yeah I miss you, that's a fact..."

Already a hit on social media, particularly TikTok, and resonating with live audiences, the catchy hook is quickly becoming unforgettable. This release is poised to solidify GNS's place in the music industry as both a talented producer and an innovative artist.

1. You've described "DONT MATTER" as a fusion of UK garage rhythm, alternative RnB flow, and groovy rap cadence. Can you tell us more about the creative process behind blending these diverse elements into a cohesive track?

The process of creating the whole track in general came through, first an expressive, rhythmic, soulful mumble of words, thoughts & feelings on the three chords you hear throughout the whole track. In April 2023, the track was just mumbles and chords for 4 whole months in total, but when one of my contemporaries heard it (McJordan), they told me I had something special there so I went back to it. In July (right before the release of my latest EP ‘YOU’) I decided to see it as a blank page with a set of colours and elements that were not tied down to one genre or thing. I sped it up, pitched it up, added drums that were almost way too fast for it. I had two drum patterns that I liked, and I couldn’t pick between the two so I kept both. One for the hook, the other for the verses. In November I decided to get back to my roots and rap again. Express how I felt back then when I wrote DONT MATTER, and who I am now and my perspective on love. I had to touch on my different skills as an artist and producer for this track.

2. The song "DONT MATTER" gives listeners a glimpse into your personal life and feelings of affection. How did your real-life experiences, particularly the story of sending the 'I miss you' text, inspire the lyrics and mood of the song?

I sent that ‘i miss u’ text right after the date, and the reply I got was ‘You just saw me what do you mean you miss me?’

I was so sure of how I felt. I was fully aware that it had been only minutes, hours since I last saw them but I knew what I felt. I missed them, and so the first line of the hook was what I had repeating in my head all night. ‘It don’t matter when I saw you, ye I miss you, thats a fact…’ It was the reply to her text that I never sent. The chords just came to me, and they let me feel what I felt. I didn’t over think them. From there I dove deeper into why I was feeling like this, was it right to miss her so soon? I started to think that I had ‘issues’ and being aware of that was what helped me develop the song. I knew what I wanted, even if it was wrong, that’s why I’m screaming repetitively ’NEED YOU NEED YOU!’

‘What I’m willing to do for you, what I’m willing to do for you, it ain’t right.

My mind is broke in two, my mind is broke in two, I won’t fight no!’

I would have done (I did to some extent) so much for this person, and it was too soon. I knew it wasn’t right, but I also knew that it felt right, so my mind was split in two. I chose to just do what my heart wanted to do in the end and not fight it.

The second verse was written months later after the whole ordeal passed & dissolved, so it is much more composed. I could look at the situation with a calm & collected mind. I touched on how I felt then, my want for companionship, ‘Love chilling on my ones, but I wanna make it twos..’ and how sure I was of the person I had in mind. After months of reflecting, I came to the conclusion that I probably have a misconstrued view on what love is.

3. Cover art is an important aspect of a single’s release. Can you share the significance of the cover art for "DONT MATTER" created by Daniel Isaac, and how it complements the music?

Daniel Isaac, the artist himself is someone that I have immense faith in. In their skills, style and vision. A friend for about a decade, and one of the only people I could comfortably go to and trust with what I envisioned for the track. The colours, the blues, the pinks, and overall look. I gave Daniel a reference image taken back when I was creating promo for my single (imadeYOUaboutYOU) and I gave Daniel free reign. He was able to animate me, exhibiting my emotional, affectionate self. With the colours that I believe scream, love, unreciprocated love, and everything else that comes with that.

4. Social media, especially TikTok, has played a big role in generating buzz for "DONT MATTER." How has the positive reception on these platforms influenced your approach to releasing and promoting your music?

The positive feedback has given me so much more confidence in releasing music, and continuing to be experimental and unapologetically myself in my sounds and words. People in Ireland discovered me with DONT MATTER and were surprised people in Ireland made music like this. I got to connect with people abroad that liked the music, other artists based in London that would give me advice as well. The Tiktok community has been very nice to me and has let me grow and be consistent, slowly growing my following and creating a community not just based in Dublin Ireland.

During my last promo run before the single release, I did actually get some hate or ‘negative’ feedback from on YouTube shorts. That humbled me, grounded me and reminded me that I am not making conventional music, or music that people will initially love or even like. These were strangers not liking the song on their first listen. They were still supportive and told me to keep going, and that was still great. The truest and honest comment that helped me realise that was;

Hearing this for the first time: "what is this?"

Hearing this for the 10th time: wait this is actually good whaat

This was a win. I just know to keep going because the music I make is undeniably good. I love my music and that’s why I share it, because I want other people to enjoy it as well.

5. As an emerging artist who both produces and performs, how do you balance these roles in your creative process, and what can we expect from your future projects following the release of "DONT MATTER"?

As a producer and artist, I have to sometimes flip the switch and get in my bag with a sweet verse or a sweet melody or drum pattern. It is hard for me to balance it sometimes, there are moments where I’m not making any personal music. In these moments I’m just producing for other artists, The Kyd G, Tara Devi, $ONA BLU€, DuckyProd and mixing singles and projects for many other talented artists based in Dublin.

I need to understand the time and place for me to be an artist, and to be a producer. I don’t write a 16 for every beat I make in cook up sessions with other artists. There are also times where I don’t touch the melody at all and just write a verse or hook. Sometimes clients just want my beats or mixing services and that helps me focus on either one.

What to expect from me??

More Music! I have been collaborating with other cool artists and have had multiple midnight sessions, and we are dropping them in June, July and August! I had a hand in the production, a verse and the mix! As these singles are being released I will be creating, cultivating my next Album. No release date set but it will be here in 2025! My next masterpiece!

Visual Projects! I shot a music video for one of my releases this year, imadeYOUaboutYOU, and it is set to come out in the coming weeks. Shot by Dir.George (@dir_george)

As well as that, I shot a quick music video/visualiser for a popular song from my EP, ‘YOU’ - LOCKED UP. A dark horse from the project, and a fan favourite, shot by JackMB (@jackmb_) a very talented videographer.

Thank you so much for letting me speak about my art, the work I’ve been doing with my contemporaries, and so much more. It was nice to express what DONT MATTER means to me and how I made it. I have immense faith in this song and I love how it makes me feel. It has my head bopping each time I listen to it. Thank you Josh and everyone else at The Baby Step.