Following on from the rousing success of her debut single 'Almost Real' earlier this year, London-born but Brighton-based singer and songwriter GIYA has now returned with her highly-anticipated sophomore offering 'Blood'.
Working alongside long term producer Ali Bla Bla, 'Blood' looks to blend the worlds of ethereal RnB and dream-pop to create a truly soothing release. With its pulsing beats, warming atmosphere, and her own sweeping vocals, her latest gem is sure to spell a very promising career in the years to come.
So with her new single available now, we sat her down to find out more about her earliest beginnings and what has influenced her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar, after watching School of Rock when I was about 4. Still in pursuit of that dream of being able to play like the little kid Zak. One day.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Looking back, it would be all the lyricists I listened to that really influenced how I write; from Eminem to Bob Dylan, and even more local artists like Jamie T who grew up around me. It was their total obsession with lyrics that wired my brain into thinking that way too. I’ve never understood people who say they don’t listen to the lyrics, it’s the soul of any song.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I started getting proper into music whilst the indie phase was still lively, so might be surprising, but the several bands I was in at school, we’d be playing Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Vaccines stuff, Palma Violets, Jaws, Swim Deep, Spector. We’d buy an NME every week and rinse all the bands front to back, that was how we found all our music, so it ended up basically being all indie rock. I know, I’m cool.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
It would have to be a Zepp song; they were definitely the first band I heard when I was a kid that made my ears prick up. Dazed and Confused or Since I’ve Been Loving You, still struggle to top those tunes.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Feel like there are some unreal artists out there at the moment; I really love this guy Joesef, also Hak Baker who's a bit of a wizard of a songwriter, Biig Piig, Arlo Parks, Greentea Peng and Olivia Dean too. Willie J Healey’s new album is also great. Feel pretty spoiled for choice at the moment.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Indirectly, all of them. Sorry folks.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
More surreal to be honest, but just the entirety of the Hak Baker tour in 2018. Unusual in the best way as it was my first supporting tour, I was 19, it was an absolute blast. Very fond memories indeed.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
Probably food. And the pub.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I’d like to think it would be something interesting, but I’d probably be doing marketing somewhere realistically.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Write good songs, and don’t act like Mariah Carey.
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GIYA's new single 'Blood' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.