INTERVIEW: Stalking Gia on finding inspiration in NY, LA, & Finland

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Jake Craney

Favorites: Bloc Party, 3EB, Gaslight, Tokyo Police Club, The Kooks, Pete Yorn, Andrew McMahon

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Stalking Gia is quickly making a name for herself with striking, powerful songs like “War Paint” and “Born Free.” GroundSounds recently caught up with Gia to discuss her music and her time in NY, LA, and Helsinki. Check out the interview below and stream “Born Free.”

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How long have you been making music? Did you have a specific moment when you realized this was what you wanted to pursue? 

I’ve been creating for years and years..the whole creative process is all about trial and error. There’s no right way to learn how to write a song, you have to learn through experience. The last couple of years I focused in on songwriting and collaborating with other musicians, now I’m at the point where I have a catalog of songs and a sound that fully encompasses myself. I don’t even remember the point where I decided this was something I wanted to pursue.. once I started just I never stopped.

“War Paint” is a fantastic and powerful song. What inspired the track?

 The track started with the hook. It began with tribal powerful drums along with a chant vocal sample. After hearing the two together, the title War Paint immediately came to mind. I then built out the verse section, which in contrast is super minimal. As far as the concept goes, I really didn’t plan it out. I wrote how I was feeling in that moment, starting with the first verse.

Having spent a lot of time in LA and NY, what are the main differences you notice in regards to the music industry and music scenes?

I have this conversation pretty much every day. In LA, there is a whole lot going on. In the two years I lived there I was in sessions with new producers pretty much every day. I was constantly being thrown into different situations and environments, which really helped me grow as a writer. Those two years of hard work lead to me signing with Warner Chappell in New York… the perfect excuse to move back! I’m a New Yorker through and through. NY is filled with so much passion and life.. super inspired here.

Tell us a bit about your time in Helsinki. Most of us here don’t really have a concept of that culture. What is the biggest thing that stood out about it and what is the music culture like in Finland? 

The mood in Finland is extremely nostalgic and serious – yet not depressing. For the main portion of the year there is little to no sunlight. It is a very secluded and peaceful environment. The people I’ve met in Finland are extremely kind and up lifting. Sonically speaking, they aren’t tainted by any particular formula of what pop music should sound like. They just create to create.. and that’s exactly how it should be.

What are your plans this Spring/Summer? 

This week I’m releasing my newest song Born Free. From there I’ll continue to release more music and start playing some live shows. The exact detailed “plan” always changes in this industry, so no specifics to share at the moment! 😉

Are you currently working on new music? What is your writing process like – do you have a go-to spot to write & create?

Yes, I’m constantly writing. New York is my preferable spot to create. Nothings more inspiring than this city.

Where is the best place to stay updated with you online?

Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr / Vine / ect.. I’m everywhere.

Stalking Gia – “Born Free”