Momoko Gill is a self-taught drummer, producer, songwriter and vocalist who grew up between Japan, the US and the UK, where she now lives. Though it was studies in anthropology and sociology that first brought her to the capital, south London’s vibrant music scene set her on an artistic path – specifically, dedication to drum practice, alongside the development of her unique musicianship through self-teaching and live performance.
In 2020, Gill committed to music full-time and since then has collaborated with the likes of Coby Sey, Tirzah and Alabaster DePlume, refining her skills through session work and collaborative improvisation while evolving as both a soul-jazz composer and producer.
Drums and vocals are central to her artistry but Gill’s multi-instrumental chops were to the fore on 2024’s “An Alien Called Harmony” EP, which saw her teaming up with poet and rapper Nadeem Din-Gabisi. The same year, Gill joined Matthew Herbert’s Horse project, forging a close creative partnership that led to the release of “Fallen” and in 2025, under the new project name Herbert & Momoko, the pair’s first full-length collaboration, Clay.
Gill released her debut solo album, Momoko, in February this year.
“My main inspiration for creating music comes from the world around me – my own experience of its beauty, contradictions and horrors, as well as the experiences and stories of others also travelling through this realm.
As a listener, I often choose silence over music. Because of this, a playlist intended to introduce me in some way will always contain some music I have carried with me ever since I started really loving music; I usually can’t resist including Aretha Franklin and Wayne Shorter, for example. On the other hand, London is where I became a professional musician and music creator. One of the main ways I have been musically inspired in this process of becoming has been through collaboration, and being inside of my friends’ music as a player.
I hope to be able to offer different snapshots of this at different times – something of a duality between music that has long been a part of me and music that shapes me primarily through deep engagement, collaboration and closeness. Whoever is listening – I hope you enjoy this moment’s snapshot.”
- Momoko Gill
