Gabby Start knows a thing or two about writing an earworm. Though the NYC-based Start, who used to be called Knapsack (no relation to the emo legends, though there is a bit of that spirit in the songwriting), makes brightly crushed electronic pop music in conversation with all of those internet-native genres you are probably sick of hearing about, it’s the artist’s way around a tune that will keep you rewinding. It makes sense that Start has collaborated with underscores, because both artists have an ear for melody and stylistic synthesis. We sent some questions over to Start. Read our interview, and listen to “Play that,” the artist’s newest single, below.

How did your new project Aretha Bangklyn come together?

Gabby Start: I made each song consecutively, over the span of three days. Something dawned on me at work one day in October, and I knew I had to just make it very quickly.

Do you have a favorite Aretha Franklin song?

No I don’t!

What are some of your formative memories on the internet? How’d you discover Monstercat music? 

I discovered Monstercat from the musical outro of CaptainSparklez Minecraft Hunger Games vids—“top of the world” by Stephen Walking. I met my first internet friend when I was 13, in a Splice remix contest for “The Girl.” We started a record label together on SoundCloud<~<.

On “Bae,” you sing “babygirl, you my bae.” What’s your favorite term of endearment? Is there another 2010s slang term à la “bae” that we should bring back in 2026?

bb.

In an interview, you listed the Olympics as “gabby start drip.” 

I’m not that into sports I always loved the uniforms though 💕.

What’s the greatest boyband of all time?

Big Time Rush 🎯.

Have people actually made anything cool with the stems on your website?

Yeah! Peep this.

How do you “Stay Lit”?

You just keep going. Keep the wind up in your sails. Don’t worry too much about the storm, there’s nothing you can really do.