GIGI RICH — Exclusive Interview
Today I interview GIGI RICH, an incredible singer / songwriter.
We gonna talk about her new project for 2021, her inspirations, and her best advice on the music industry. let’s do it !
(E): Hi GIGI ! (G): Hi Ericka !
1: Tell me about you? How can you describe yourself as an artist?
I grew up in New Jersey, and after I recording my first EP spent most of my teens in NYC playing in places like Rockwood, Bitter End, Bowery Electric, and Pianos. In 2017, I moved to LA and continued to write and release music. I was there up until the middle of last year, when I moved back to the east coast to be closer to my family when LA shut down due to the pandemic. I am hoping to get back there soon. In terms of my artistry, I love pop music and consider myself a pop artist sprinkled with a lot of older and alternative influences!
2 Tell me about your music, what’s your inspirations?
My music is a combination of everything I have experienced in my life so far. My first inspiration was Alicia Keys, who truly inspired me to pursue music as a career. I was, and still am, totally in awe of her. Lyrically, I like to write about things that are affecting me in that moment. It’s very cathartic for me, and when people listen to my music, I like that they can get a sense of who I am.
3:What are your plans for 2021 ?
I’m currently writing an EP that is coming together nicely. I’ve been kind of hiding away working on that, as well as cowriting. I’m hoping to be able to play shows again soon, and that will definitely be on the list :)
4: When and how did you start music?
I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock and soul thanks to my parents. I always naturally gravitated towards music, and remember listening to Christina and Britney on the radio when I was little. I loved to write, and had notebooks full of little haiku poems. I watched my sister play the piano, and begged my parents for lessons. I would sing these random songs I created to my grandma, and she told me I should take some vocal lessons. Long story short, it all came together at around 12 years old when I started writing music and recording my demos!
5: With which artists do you feel your most inspirational connection?
Along with Alicia Keys, my other huge inspirations include Queen, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Joan Jett! I loved Amy Winehouse around the time I was really getting into my writing. She is an incredible artist. I really feel a connecion with Lady Gaga because she’s also from the east coast and was such a force as she was trying to break into the industry. I’m a huge fan of hers.
6: What would be your best advice to the youngest artists in the industry ?
My advice for young artists would be to not be afraid to put your music out. At times when I was younger, I delayed releasing my music because I was waiting for the perfect time, however I realized there really is no perfect time in music. This is especially true for someone who is just starting out. It is so important to show people what you are creating as your career progresses.
7: What is your goal as an artist ?
I would love to be able to make albums and tour on a large scale, and I’d also love to write for and with other artists. I want to make a big impact musically, and also have plans to one day start a charity foundation with the goal of raising money for people in need.
8: How do you write your songs what is your process of creation?
It can start all different ways! Sometimes it’s a melody that pops into my head when I’m out and about, and I’ll record it into my phone. Other times, I sit down at my piano and mess around until I find a chord progression I like. Or it could be a lyric that I think of and I’ll write it down — my notes app is full of random potential lyrics, lol.
9: How did you experience the first months of the Covid pandemic ?
It was really tough. I had to move out of my apartment, and like a lot of people in the music business, I lost the ability to make money. It took some time getting used to being at home, but I expanded my home studio and created my own safe space to create amidst what feels like a whole year of chaos.
10: Do you plan to collaborate with artists this year for a featuring or other projects?
Yes! I love collaborating with artists and writers. I’m always open to working with new people. It’s been harder to meet a lot of new people since the pandemic started, but I’ve had some really great zoom writes and I’m excited to see what comes to me in the next year!
Thanks you GIGI see you soon !
you can follow GIGI on instagram: @iamgigirich and youtube
