Raised in Pompano Beach, Florida on a steady dose of surfing and classic rock, Gobe hasn’t had a linear path to alternative pop. He performed in piano recitals as a kid, picked up the guitar in high school, began rapping, and then learned to engineer his own tracks from watching Youtube videos. 

After setting up a home studio, it was time to tap deep into a side of himself he hadn’t shown before in his music. “I had to get real with myself and make music that feels like me, feels like my hometown, feels like the beach and all of the experiences that I went through,” he explains. “That’s when I started really taking it seriously.” 

Like the title itself, Gobe’s new single “Sun Leaves Scars” is the balance of a bright, upbeat production and lyrical warnings about how what’s bright can also burn. “When you’re in love, it feels like the sun is shining on you,” he says. “But when that all ends, you feel burned. Scarred even.”

It’s is a trail of Gobe’s past and present- representing the complexities of his ethos and vulnerabilities. 

Culture Flux: What were your experiences with music like while growing up in Florida, and do they still resonate with you as an artist today?

Gobe: Growing up in Pompano Beach, Florida, music was an integral part of my life. The coastal environment, with its vibrant energy, influenced my musical sensibilities. I began making music in high school, experimenting with various genres and learning to engineer my own tracks. That DIY spirit and emotional connection to music still fuel everything I create today.

Can you talk about the process of finding your sound and how that’s led to “Sun Leaves Scars”?

Finding my sound was a journey of self-discovery. I didn’t want to be boxed into one genre, so I pulled from indie pop, hip-hop, and even punk. That mix of influence helped me land on a style that felt authentic. “Sun Leaves Scars” is the result of that—something real, layered, and emotionally charged.

How did “Sun Leaves Scars” come about, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?

The song was inspired by the idea that not everything that shines is good for you. Just like too much sun can leave you burned, some relationships and experiences can leave emotional scars. I want listeners to know it’s okay to feel, to hurt, and to grow from it. Healing isn’t always pretty, but it’s necessary.

Your music explores quite serious topics. Have you always felt comfortable being so vulnerable with your lyrics?

Not at first. I used to hide behind the production or metaphors, but I realized that the more vulnerable I was, the more people connected with what I was saying. Being open with my lyrics helped me heal, and I think it helps others too.

You have a DIY approach as a musician. How much input do you get from others when creating a song?

I come up with concepts and engineer most of my own stuff, but I do keep a small circle of people I trust for feedback. Sometimes a different ear can help push a song further or bring in a perspective I hadn’t considered. But I like keeping the core of it personal and hands-on.

Has learning how to engineer your own songs had an effect on the connection you have to your own music?

Definitely. Engineering gave me full creative control, and that made my connection to each song way deeper. Every effect, every mix decision—I’m in it from start to finish. That makes the final product feel more like a piece of me.

You’re also a tattoo artist. How does tattooing and music allow you to express yourself in a different way creatively?

Tattooing and music are both deeply personal for me. With tattoos, I’m helping someone wear their story forever. With music, I’m helping people feel something in the moment—or sometimes forever too. They’re different forms of storytelling, but both allow me to connect with people in a meaningful way.