BiB: Gavin Turek – “I Was Ready to Quit—Now I’m All In”: The Making of Her Boldest Album

What happens when an artist steps away from their craft, finds themselves again, and returns with a renewed sense of joy and creative purpose? On this episode of Bringin’ It Backwards, host Adam Lisicky reconnects with the incomparable Gavin Turek, just weeks after the release of her brand-new album, Diva of the People.

It’s been three years since Gavin first joined the show to talk about her debut album, Madam Gold—a time shaped by struggle, transformation, and the challenges of releasing music during the pandemic. In this candid conversation, Gavin shares how that era left her exhausted and questioning her path, leading her to take a much-needed break, travel abroad, and rediscover her passion for music on her own terms.

We dig into her journey growing up in LA surrounded by art, the all-in hustle of commuting to an arts high school, and how early MySpace connections shaped her career. Gavin opens up about fully trusting her vision, the power of working with new collaborators, and why Diva of the People marks both a return to her dance-focused roots and a reclaiming of the joy that first drew her to music.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your creative fire burning—especially through burnout, setbacks, and the pressure to conform—this episode is for you. Don’t miss Gavin’s inspiring advice for aspiring artists, her behind-the-scenes look at the indie album process, and her honest reflections on what it takes to sound exactly the way you hear yourself in your mind.

Listen now, subscribe, and be sure to follow us at @BringinBackPOD for more stories that bring you closer to the artists and music you love.