So Gigi, you started your music career at a very young age, what inspired you to try music at all?
I just gravitated toward it naturally. I have always loved music. I remember one day watching my older sister playing the piano and I decided that I wanted to try it, too. So I begged my parents for lessons and they finally gave in…the rest is history 🙂
How would you describe your musical style?
It’s definitely a mix of Pop/R&B. I love 60s pop just as much as I do 60s soul/funk, and I like to combine that with today’s pop music.
What artists do you look up to right now?
There are a number of them I look up to, however I really admire Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys. I love that they sing, write and play the piano. I really believe it’s so important to be able to excel in all three phases as an artist….and it’s inspired me to work on my craft. Their music has made such an impact on me!
What artist influences you the most and who do you aspire to be like?
Alicia Keys influences me the most. She is the reason I decided to experiment with singing and playing piano at the same time. I would watch her performances and be blown away when I was very young. I aspire to be like her because she is so successful and is so confident in her own self. I still listen to her first album to this day. Her music holds so many memories for me and I hope to be able to inspire others the same way one day.
What made you to decide to try out for The Voice? What was the process like to get onto the show?
They actually found me on YouTube! They were having auditions in New York the next week and asked me to come in and sing. I was initially a bit skeptical but the audition ended up going really well. From that point, there are actually about 4 or 5 more rounds of auditions before you even get to the televised part where you are singing your heart out hoping for a chair to turn! They fly you out to LA, where you get to meet the rest of the contestants. You form tight bonds with those people because you are constantly hanging out with them and everyone is working towards the same goal. Sharing that nervousness and excitement with someone else is so helpful. Overall, I had a great time on the show!
How did you feel performing on that stage and how did you prepare for it?
There’s a ton of prep that goes into performing on the big stage. Tons of lessons, rehearsals, dress rehearsal, etc. Performing on that stage was incredible! The feeling of being up there is something I will never forget. The energy is crazy, and having the coaches right there in front of you is surreal.
What feeling did you get when you decided to be on Gwen’s team?
I was just so happy. I’ve been a huge fan of her since her No Doubt days. So to even see her in person, let alone be on her team, was amazing. She was super helpful and sweet!
What did you gain from that experience?
I learned a lot about myself as an artist. How I truly wanted to portray myself. How I wanted to dress, the type of music I really wanted to create. The importance of a commanding stage presence. I came out of it more seasoned and refined.
You released your new EP, “All in My Head” earlier this month. How did this EP come about?
It all just came from personal experience. I either wrote or co-wrote everything, so every song is very personal to me. I met a really great writer/producer named Anthony Saunders who I collaborated with a lot on this EP. He was very patient and listened to my ideas and helped me create my vision. There were some bumps in the road when trying to release it, but it was a blessing in disguise because I ended up recording a song that went on to be my first single!
How did it feel to finally release the EP?
It was such a relief. It’s been in my hands for a while, and I just wanted people to hear it. I feel like so many new things have happened in my life since then, and I’m ready to start my next project! But I just feel happy that people can start to see who I am as an artist and where I’m going.
What’s the process for you to write one of your songs?
There’s so many ways an idea for a song can come to me. Most of the time, I have some sort of melody that’ll pop in my head, usually accompanied by a hook line or subject that fits with it. From there, I sit at the piano and figure out the progression and start digging in on lyrics. Or sometimes I’ll sit down at the piano and write to a progression I like!
You also just released your newest single, “Same Kind of Crazy”. How did this song come about? & What’s the meaning of the song?
This song I actually co-wrote with Stefan Skarbek out in LA, and it was really great getting to work with him. It’s about a guy I thought I had a real connection with, hence the title “Same Kind Of Crazy” but it just ended up not working out. I was pretty upset after it happened and writing about it helped me get through the emotional pain.
The music video just got released as well. What is the process of creating one of your music videos? How did the idea for this music video come about?
It was my first music video, so I had a lot of ideas but bringing it to life was a whole different story! It came about when I felt like nobody understood what it was like to be an up and coming artist. So that’s how the mini documentary type of video came about. I decided to just be honest about my personal struggle and probably the struggle of every artist trying to break in to the business.
The idea for the single video was basically a break up celebration. Instead of being sad, I wanted to break free of that negativity and have fun with cake and champagne 🙂
Can we expect any other new music soon? If so, can you spill any details about the new songs?
Right now I’m still in the writing process. I love to write about stuff that happens to all us in the course of our lives…and what happens and the lessons we learn seem to be a common rite of passage we all go through. So expect much more of that 🙂
Are there any other projects in the works you can tell us about?
Right now I’m just focusing on writing and cowriting with some pretty amazing writers for my next EP!
What is your favorite thing to do in your career? And why? – Recording, music video shoots, performing, etc.
Recording in the studio is my favorite. Creating and writing is the best feeling to me. I love being hidden away in the studio.
What’s your favorite song to perform live?
My favorite song of mine to perform live is Still Want You. It’s very easy for me to get back into that headspace since that song means so much to me. I also get to perform it by myself on keys, which I love.
Favorite cover song is Born This Way by Lady Gaga. I love to slow it down on keys…it’s one of my favorite songs ever.
What does it feel like to perform your own music live in front of your fans?
It’s exciting! It’s fun to just connect with everyone. Its fun to share with my fans different arrangements of my songs than they’ve heard on the record. It’s fun to talk about why I wrote the song or who it’s about. It’s personal and I enjoy that.
Does your fanbase have a name?
They don’t! I need to figure that out soon!!!
How do you want your relationship to be with your fans?
I want them to feel very connected to me. That they can relate to any aspect of me, whether it’s my music or personality, anything. I love fans that are so loyal to their favorite artist. Marina and The Diamonds fan base is amazing and I love reading their comments on her videos! I would love to have something like that
After auditioning for The Voice, you must have gotten a lot of publicity. What was that change like for you?
It was definitely different. I got a lot of positive feedback and for me, it was just reassurance that I’m on the right path….and that even if things didn’t absolutely work out the way I planned, it’s all going to work out one way or another.
What was the craziest fan encounter you have had?
I’ve had a few online stalkers. They are just relentless sometimes. And they’ll say ANYTHING to get your attention. I had someone somehow find my address and tell me they were going to stop by. That was a little scary. But besides that, nothing super crazy!
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?
I really like Instagram right now. I like the visuals and sharing when I’m in the studio or sharing the single cover of a new song.
Are you planning on going on tour anytime soon to support your new single?
I would love to! Still trying to put something together, but I do have some shows set up in New York and LA!
What’s an average day for you look like?
Hmm, well, it’s a lot of lessons, practicing, email answering, working on social media, trying to figure out how to work with different people, or at a gig! Lol.
What goals have you set out for yourself in your career and in your personal life?
I want a really big career. But I also just want to be content and happy. I want to tour and share my music with people and collaborate with some of my dream writers and producers. That sounds like the life to me.
How has this whole music career experience been?
So far, it’s been amazing. I’ve had some crazy experiences, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the good times as much if I didn’t go through the difficult times. It’s all worth it because I am doing what I love….and with persistence and perseverance I know I will achieve my goals.
What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?
Probably releasing this EP. I feel like it’s a big personal step for me because it’s been such a long road of writing, recording and trying to get it out there. I am really proud of it, and know it’s going to get better and better the more music I write and record.
What do you hope to gain out of this career?
Music makes me happy. All I can do is hope that I can connect with people and make them feel the same happiness. That’s what I would like to gain, just knowing I affect people somehow.
Whats the best thing thats come out of this career?
I have met some incredible people throughout this process. I am lucky that I can say that I have friends everywhere. I have learned something from every person I have met and am able to use that knowledge and experience and incorporate it into my life and music. Songwriter’s I have collaborated with have taught me a lot about the business, I would’ve been lost without them.
What’s the biggest struggle?
Balance. It’s hard for me to balance social life and music and having time for myself. It’s been a process trying to figure that out.
If your life was a movie, what would be the title?
My Life Is A Meme
Who would you want to play you?
Emma Stone. Because I love Emma Stone….and she’s a redhead!
What’s your favorite song at the moment?
I’m loving Hard Times by Paramore. I LOVE Paramore!!
What 5 words describe you the best?
Quirky, goofy, clumsy, artistic, ambitious
Many artists have a saying that represents them, what saying would you say represents you the most?
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
Do you have any other cool talents other than singing?
I love to write poetry 🙂 I can also make awesome banana pancakes.
Do you have any last things you want to tell your supporters?
That I appreciate each and every one of you!
Check Out Gigi’s New Music Video For Her Single, “Same Kind Of Crazy” Here:
You Can Stay In Touch With Gigi By Checking Out Her Website:
