Conversations with Giovanna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Giovanna.

Hi Giovanna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started writing songs when I was in middle school – about crushes, friendships, life, but also about trauma and dark times. It helped me get my feelings out when I had no means or freedom to do so in a safe manner. Starting music was hard since my middle and high school never had a music program. I didn’t have money for music classes and I had a fear of performing (one reject from an elementary school talent show and anxiety will do that to you). It wasn’t until my middle school humanities teacher came with a background of musical theater and decided to throw “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” that something happened. I decided to try out just as a fun challenge and ended up getting the lead role as Charlie Bucket. Musical theater broke me out of my shell to not be afraid to sing in front of people anymore. Though I was still unsure if I’d have my own songs ever see the light of day or if I could even complete a song, I still wrote by myself as a release. It wasn’t until I found my place at Chapman University where that dream came to fruition. It pushed me even more to face my fears. I’ve never led a rehearsal before, shared my music I kept close to my chest with other musicians, performed it to others, and made me learn the ins and outs of what the music making process/language is like with talented individuals. I was so scared and felt so inadequate that I almost quit the first day. I’m glad I didn’t because now my music is out in the world! I now use it as a way to dissect tough emotions and have it as an outlet.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all and still isn’t! I didn’t have any music background besides trying to teach myself and writing alone. When I tried to study some music theory at school, I had a slower time grasping it than most, gets me frustrated, and lots still don’t make total sense to me. Because of that, it’s been a struggle to make music in a different way – MY way, but thankfully it is still possible. I’ve worked on my ear, am still trying to teach myself focusing on what I can do well, and finding different ways to communicate your ideas. You can still make good music without theory or rules – Billy Joel and many other very talented musicians have done it just by practice, teaching themselves, and their ear.

Money, access, and networks are also a big struggle in music. Of course the more money you have, the better access/networks you have to making music and promoting it, and more time to do it all (I’ve been learning that time is such a precious resource). I am a fresh out of college girl that is used to having 3 jobs while studying, so you can see how these things can be an obstacle. Lots of artists do it DIY until they have some income to put it into music which is what I am piecing together how to do.

The biggest obstacle will always be yourself. The insecurities about yourself and your music, the limits you put onto yourself because of fear, the numbers, the comparisons, the industry itself, the wondering if people around you like you or your music…. Sometimes you make the road harder than it needs to be and have to remind yourself to smooth it out, take it easy, keep throwing things out there, and take those who really value you along for the ride.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My area of specialties is directly in the phrase “singer-songwriter”. I want my lyrics to be as strong as my voice. My songs tend to follow themes of complexity of love, heartbreak, contradictions, trauma, and turning it into personal growth. I try to be very honest in my songwriting and it is something I’m trying to put as a first step forward in my art as it allows me to fully understand what I am feeling.

Another thing I am proud of is the element of stories in my songs. “Persephone” is a mashup between the love I’ve witnessed in my life and the Greek Mythology story of Persephone and Hades. “Rewiring” is the red messy yarn that needs untangling when you break up from someone who was bad for you yet can’t help but miss. “Movin’ On” is the “put on your boots, black leather jacket, and go out on the town” anthem to remind yourself of who you are. Having some kind of intertwining of a larger story, visual, concept, or theme is what hooks me onto continuing a song.

I think what sets me apart is how raw I get when I am doing music, whether that’s on the stage or writing by myself. When I’m performing songs, nothing else matters but me, the music, and how I feel. I transform. I’m also not afraid to dive into the messiness of feelings when I’m writing and knowing I can find myself and some form of understanding somewhere in the lines.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a shy but bubbly once you got to know her kind of girl (sometimes hard to crack to I wouldn’t stop talking to my friends so much that it pissed off my teachers, but they still loved how much presence I was bringing into my classes. I still am shy sometimes in a new environment, but not shy to the point where I had to make my mom turn around before I sang to her. I’ve always loved stories where I could lose the world around me in. Series like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games, and more let me do that. Me being a huge nerd is still a constant today.

Music was a constant in my life. I was sharing how my favorite song was “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt in preschool when everyone else’s answers were “Mary Had A Little Lamb”. I watched Mamma Mia over and over again, blasted Taylor Swift until I could hear the background singers very clearly, screamed out Avril Lavigne’s “Goodbye Lullaby”, printed out guitar tabs, and played til my fingers hurt. It was all I wanted to do. It’s been a slower process than I wanted to build up my start, even as a I was growing up I was aware of it, but you make do with what you have and I’m excited to keep building. In my past i’ve either kept that music part of me inside or had no where to take it. It took me a while to learn that my voice and words are the most powerful tool I have.

Pricing:

• Stream my songs and check out some music videos and lyric videos I’ve made!
• https://linktr.ee/giovannasmusic

Incoming Show:

• LA at The Viper Room on Sept 5th
• Price: $15 presale, $25 at door
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dirty-mondays-presents-dame-tickets-1485161571239?aff=oddtdtcreator

Contact Info:

• Website: https://giovannasongs.wixsite.com/giovannamusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovannag0d0y/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiovannaMusic.
• Other: https://linktr.ee/giovannasmusic

Image Credits
– Jonas Gage Productions