Obadiah Gamble’s inspiration behind his debut album

Impossible not to notice, junior Obadiah Gamble just released his debut album. Noticing and understanding different people’s perspectives is crucial; it’s important always to see the other side in conflict and seek common ground. This is the meaning behind Gamble’s album, Notice, released on January 9th, 2026.

“The word notice [means] you can find something that people usually wouldn’t find,” said Gamble. “If you notice each other in a relationship, [it can] better yourself and the person you’re in the relationship with.”

In Gamble’s songs, he writes about relationship struggles. These are not his personal problems, but rather things he has heard about, either through songs or conversations. 

Junior McKenna Johnson, who enjoys listening to Gamble’s music, describes it as very heartfelt.

“It’s very genuine…very meaningful and thought-provoking,” said Johnson. 

“It’s hard to put into words how I feel about you, you take them from my mouth,” are Gamble’s favorite lyrics from his song, Weight. Gamble is talking about past relationships and how you can still love somebody even when you are no longer together. That line “explains a certain kind of love you have for someone…[the] idea of, we’re distant, but I still really care about you.”

While writing his album, Gamble’s song, Late Night Thoughts, was the most time-consuming to compose.

“Late Night Thoughts took the longest to write because I couldn’t get the second verse. I didn’t know what I wanted to say, but eventually I got it,” said Gamble.

Along with working on his music outside of school, Gamble plays a huge role in the music department at school, including writing a choral piece for the choir. 

He leads worship during chapel, is in the jazz band, and “is an excellent member of the baritone section” in choir, said Karen Lutgen, MA’s choral director. Lutgen describes Gamble’s voice as having great pitch and a voice that she enjoys listening to. 

In terms of personality, Lutgen said Gamble is easy-going, fun to be around, and he loves to be with people. 

“If he has an instrument in his hand, he’s always leading songs,” she said. “He likes to get people together, he’s very people-oriented, [he] wants to make music with others.”

From learning piano at a young age to listening to musicals on road trips, Gamble has constantly been surrounded by music. At first, he often felt forced into music, but once he started to play the guitar, that’s when he started to enjoy music and take it seriously. 

“It started with my parents putting it [music] into our daily life,” Gamble said, “We’re always listening or playing it.”

Music has always been a part of Gamble’s life, and he is continuing to grow in his skills. Lutgen remembers how he has grown since joining her choir.

“He came in as a strong musician, and he was an asset to the [baritone] section right away. He’s grown vocally, in the strength of his voice, and as I’ve gotten to know him better, we’ve had more opportunities to collaborate.”

Gamble values various music genres, and that helps to influence his writing. As well as listening to several different genres, Gamble can also sing multiple genres, according to Lutgen. 

“He learns melodies and harmonies very quickly and can adapt to playing and singing to many styles of music,” said Lutgen.

He listens to many artists, but the main ones that inspire him with writing lyrics are Lizzy McAlpine and Adrianne Lenker.

 “Lizzie McAlpine finds more pop, cliché words, and Adrianne Lenker finds more poetic and deep words.”

 “Obadiah’s musicianship is about more than just his voice or his ability on the guitar. Music just emanates from him,” said Lutgen.

Lutgen said that Gamble learns things quickly and is not limited by a certain kind of music.

“He’s clearly gifted, but he’s also earned those skills through years of study and performance,” said Lutgen.

Promoting his music and perfecting his songs are stress factors for Gamble. At times, he feels his songs have to be perfect. However, as he finished his album, he learned to embrace imperfections that he couldn’t change. Balancing music and school can cause stress as well, especially with rehearsals and shows.

“I had two shows and a bunch of rehearsals finals week this year…I got through it and maintained my grades, but hopefully I never have to do that ever again. That was the most stressful part.”

As Gamble has produced his music, the Minnehaha community has been encouraging to him and was a big part of selling out his show in late January. 

“They all love my work, and I’m really happy about that,” said Gamble. “Everybody recognizes my music and listens to it too…I’m glad this community is so supportive.”

Gamble’s show was at Art House North, a church that can be rented out for different events. Johnson went to the show and said it was even better than she thought it would be.

“There were lights, and there were projections, and the acoustics in [the church] were awesome; the music resonated throughout the whole place.”

Looking into the future, Gamble hopes to continue to perform and to use his platform to spread awareness for topics that he cares about.