Following on from a flurry of impactful releases these last few years, Lithuanian artist Gia Ivy is now looking to cement her dynamic legacy to date with her eagerly-awaited debut album 'Make It Break It'.
Featuring the previously shared gems 'High', 'Neptune' and 'Stupid', this eleven-track collection makes for an incredibly rich and riveting listen. With her spellbinding vocals sprawled across this emotive R&B-inspired aesthetic from start to finish, 'Make It Break It' certainly establishes her as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano, definitely. My brother and I went to music school when we were little - it was something our parents encouraged, but we actually wanted to go and got to choose our own instruments. We had a piano at home, and when my parents asked what I wanted to play, I said piano without hesitation. I started classical piano and music theory lessons at six and studied for seven years. My mom always said that whenever I got upset as a kid, I’d go straight to the piano - it was how I processed emotions. That makes sense to me now, because while I’m not super outwardly expressive, I feel very connected and open when I’m creating music. Piano was my first love!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was a kid, my cousin and I were absolutely obsessed with Lady Gaga - we’d learn the choreographies from her music videos and dance to her songs all the time. I was also really into Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars. A bit later, I discovered K-pop and became a huge BTS fan. Honestly, if they start making music again, I might fall right back into my K-pop phase haha - they’ve always inspired me with their dedication and passion. I eventually discovered K-R&B artists like DEAN and DPR LIVE, and later I started listening to a lot of American R&B - artists like SZA, Giveon, and Summer Walker.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I never really owned a CD, but I’d say Rihanna’s Unapologetic was the first album that made a real impact on me. Growing up, I mostly listened to music on YouTube watching music videos and later on Spotify. We had a CD player at home, though, and my mom always had jazz music playing, but I never bought any CDs. Diamonds and Stay were some of the first songs I sang! And Love Song by Rihanna and Future is still a track I listen to to this day.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I’m a simp for lyrics, and honestly, there are so many songs I’ve listened to and thought, “Damn, that was so smart - I wish I thought of that!” One song I consider a lyrical masterpiece is Best Part by H.E.R. - the story is just so well put together. And maybe a more recent one would be Last Heartbreak Song, it really hits! The lyrics are so simple, but they make sense and feel real, that’s why it works!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
In the middle of the night, I go to this enchanted forest we have in Lithuania and whisper spells to make my next song a hit haha. No but actually, I don’t really have a specific ritual, but one thing I always try to tell myself is that the song doesn’t have to be released. That mindset gives me the freedom to explore whatever I want, even if it’s not in my genre or something I think people won’t like. It’s not always easy to stop overthinking, but once I start creating, things usually begin to flow.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I don’t have one artist that really takes the spotlight at the moment - I’ve been enjoying some songs from various artists. Recently, I’ve been into tracks by Joji, FKA Twigs, Jennie, Ayra Starr, Raye and a few old Timbaland songs, along with a couple of Lil Wayne and Tory Lanez tracks. I still love listening to Chris Brown, SZA and Rihanna too, but there isn’t one artist that dominates my playlist right now.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ooo, one that popped into my head is Rosé! She seems like such a sweet person, and she’s absolutely killing it right now with her new album. I’d also love to open for Giveon - I’m a fan of his, and since he makes slower-paced music, I think our sets wouldn’t clash too much haha!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
So far, the most rewarding part is the act of creating itself. Those moments when a really good melody pops into my head, or I land on a lyric that just feels right - that’s the magic. When I start making a demo and get the shivers, I know I’ll be finishing that one. I also love those late nights with friends writing music and geeking out over different artists. The best part is truly the music. And of course, it’s an amazing feeling when someone connects with or appreciates what we’ve made.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The hardest part - especially in the beginning, which I’m still in - is feeling like you’re not really being seen for what you do. I wrote my first song when I was about 14, and when I started uploading music, I was always hoping that maybe one track would go viral, or that I’d get discovered and finally reach more people. But that recognition didn’t come easy. I’ve been rejected a lot, and none of my TikToks, whether it was me sharing my music or singing covers, went viral haha. You have to have this deep belief in yourself and a real love for the craft to keep going. It takes a lot to keep posting that 100th TikTok, to make that 100th demo, to work side jobs you don’t love just to invest everything back into your music. I’m really grateful to have a label behind me now, but I’m still working odd jobs and not that many people know who I am yet. That part can be tough - but it also tests how much you really want this. Like the universe asking, how bad do you want it? And for me, the answer is always the same.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
It’s maybe less about music specifically and more about life in general, but it’s something that’s really stuck with me. My best friend and I have always felt like we wanted more from life, and since our teenage years, we’ve always said: If the people we see at the Grammys or on TV made it, so can we. They’re just people who believed in themselves and went for it - and now it’s their reality. It reminds me that anything really is possible, and I shouldn’t limit myself.
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Gia Ivy's debut album 'Make It Break It' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.