Mix one part Hello Kitty with one part Minnie Mouse. Add a sprinkle of George Harrison and Bjork, then top with a healthy scoop of Les Claypool. This can only begin to summarize what makes up Gabby La La, Claypool’s new protégé. Not only is she the first (and only) new artist to be signed by Claypool’s Prawn Song records in 12 years, (since Charlie Hunter’s debut in 1993) but she is also the only non-Primus related act to ever be signed.
La La began playing piano at age 5, and by 12 she was also playing guitar. At 13 she began studying with classic sitar master Ali Akbar Khan, but it was her first Primus show at age 15 that inspired her to devote her life to music. Now, some 10 years later, she collaborates regularly with her childhood hero.
She started her professional career picking sitar over down-tempo grooves for San Francisco DJ Boogie and his Dubtronic Science outfit. Next she joined the Dakah hip-hop orchestra as one of several female MCs. From there, La La linked up with Weapon of Choice, where she would collaborate with Lonnie Marshall and eventually form the duo Love Balm.
