Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rebekah Gilbert is fresh off the release of her new EP, Secret Keeper.
Secret Keeper offers a collection of seven tracks that dig deep into themes of generational trauma, addiction, domestic violence, and the search for healing. Instrumentally, it delivers a rootsy, honest blend of warm Americana, with the raw intimacy of late-night confessions. From the aching vulnerability of “Sober,” to the chilling family secrets of “Somebody Else’s House,” each track tells a cinematic, lived-in story that navigates between silence and truth.
Produced by acclaimed songwriter-producer Nicole Witt and recorded at Sun Drop Sound Studio in Florence, Alabama, Secret Keeper captures emotional truth with lyrical precision. At the heart of the project is Gilbert’s gift for vulnerability. Listeners might get a vibe similar to that of Gillian Welch, Brandi Carlile, and Jason Isbell — where heartache, heritage, and hope collide.
Secret Keeper features talented artists in Jimbo Hart (bass), Sol Philcox-Littlefield (guitar, banjo), Jon Davis and Justin Holder (drums), and Grayson Wright (keys).
We got to chat with Gilbert to learn more about her as an artist, the new EP, and much more.
What are three things people should know about Rebekah Gilbert?
The first thing people should know is that I started my music career in my mid-life years. I began writing songs in my thirties, and started taking guitar lessons in my forties. It’s important to let people know that it’s never too late to chase a dream.
Secondly, I want people to know I’m content. I spent many years feeling discontent and searching for something to settle me. When I finally began to intentionally live the life I knew was meant for me, the angst quieted. For the first time in my life, I feel at home. Maybe there are people who are familiar with the lack of fulfillment and joy in their lives, and I want them to know it’s possible to create a life they love.
I’m also a writer. I self-published my first poetry book in 2024, Poems From the Back Pew: A Journey from Faith to Doubt and Beyond. I also write a newsletter on Substack where I share everything from music news to my spiritual journey.
Finally, if I can add a fourth, I’m a mom to three grown daughters who are great humans who inspire me to be a better person. And I’m married to a wonderful man who supports this crazy music dream of mine and who literally shows up and sits for hours to watch me play my songs.
Let’s talk about the new EP, Secret Keeper. What’s the inspiration and influence behind this collection of songs?
This collection of songs was inspired by a need to speak my truth, to say what I’ve been afraid to say aloud. They were written over a period of several years, and at the time, I didn’t realize I’d be recording an EP. I was simply writing what was on my heart. However, as I began looking back through my catalog, I realized these seven songs share a similar theme that would work well as a compilation. They were all influenced by my past, places I’ve been, stories I’ve lived, and my search for healing.
Is there a song on the EP that was the most difficult to write/record for one reason or another?
“Stay” was the most difficult song to write. It came from a conversation about chasing dreams and the honesty doing so requires. I’d been stuck in a life I created where I no longer belonged, and that song was a reckoning — the moment I realized I had to choose to stay or to chase the life I’d been dreaming about for years.
What has been your favorite/the most rewarding part of making this EP?
There have been so many favorite and rewarding moments! I had the opportunity to work with my friend and mentor, Nicole Witt, who produced the EP. She brought so many great ideas to these songs, and the session players brought them to life in a way I couldn’t have ever imagined. Hearing them for the first time was magical!
It’s also rewarding to receive messages from people who’ve listened to the EP and reach out to share how these songs relate to their own stories. Overall, my favorite part was the writing process. It’s always satisfying to craft words and melodies and bring a new creative work into the world.
What messages or feelings do you typically try to convey in your music?
While I often write lyrically-dark songs, they come from a place of wanting to speak what most of us are afraid to say out loud. I try to convey a message of raw honesty with hope for healing. At the core, I think it’s a message of empowerment — that we don’t have to let our pasts or the stories we tell ourselves define us.
While my songs are for everybody, I often write with women in mind. I know what it’s like to take care of everybody except myself, and I want to remind women that it’s important to take care of ourselves and to chase our dreams, too.
What are one or two pinnacle moments for you as an artist?
Honestly, the pinnacle moment is a very personal one. It was the moment I stood on a stage and played guitar for myself. Learning guitar in mid-life hasn’t been easy, and took much longer than I expected. So when I was finally able to play and sing in front of people without having to depend on anyone else, I knew I could do whatever I set my mind to, as long as I was willing to work hard.
If you could tour and open for any present-day artist, who would it be and why?
If I could tour and open for any present-day artist, it would be Brandi Carlile. Both her songs and her presentation mesmerize me. Her lyrics inspire me to craft songs that are honest and that authentically connect with people. Her vocals are both haunting and powerful. And what I think she does best in her live performances is connect with the audience on a genuine level. She’s an inspiration, for sure!
What are some of your goals – whether musically or otherwise – for 2026?
I have so many goals for 2026! I plan to continue connecting with other songwriters in my new hometown of Nashville, collaborating to create new music. I’d like to book more live shows and do some small tours, including house concerts. I love the intimate connection those offer. I plan on releasing a few singles in 2026. I’m interested in pitching songs to artists and seeking out sync placements, so those are at the top of my to-do list for next year.
Finally, and most importantly, I want to spend as much time as possible with the people I love because life is short, and I don’t want to take my time with them for granted.
Featured photo by John Elrod
