An abacus of pitter-patter braided into a smooth rhythm. Gia Woods has a voice that slithers with both elasticity and gloss. Persian born; Gia describes her upcoming EP as the Heartbreak County…” a fucked-up paradise” where a pristine glamor prevails over self-pity. Glamour resulting from the navigation of superficial landscapes…Gia’s voice is stained with memories of exile and the difficulties of coming out as a lesbian. Next Girlfriend, Gia’s latest autumnal flower is like the popsicle that never melts—as tart as raspberry.
How have you arrived at the place that you are currently at, and how would you describe that process for you?
I got into music at such a young age, and I feel like since I started doing it professionally I feel like I started to figure out my sound throughout the last few years…It’s been amazing I feel like I’ve had the time, the space, and the awareness of where I want to go and where I want my music to be and I just feel like I’ve been growing all these years to get to this point.
How would you describe your current sound?
I would describe my sound right now as more dance but it kind of fluctuates, I feel like I kind of have multiple different styles. I play guitar, that’s the first instrument that I ever learned how to play so everything always goes back to the guitar. I love pop music, but I think it’s very dance right now.
Up until now, has there been a song that you’ve enjoyed making the most?
I would say one of the songs on the EP. That song definitely speaks a lot to me especially with what the projects about it kind of tie the entire story of Heartbreak County. It kind of wraps the storyline of what LA is about. We care so much about pop culture and fame and I feel like we obsess and idolize over people especially here in Hollywood, but we also don’t really care about them as humans, and we only start caring about them when they’re gone.
How did you feel after the release of your very first single?
I was so nervous, but so excited cuz I was obviously putting a very big part of myself out there and that was very scary at first. It was really relieving because I finally felt at peace with myself and the feedback that I received through that song was way more than I imagined, I didn’t know that there were millions of people in the world that were literally experiencing the exact same thing that I was experiencing. Especially coming from a Persian background…they’re so behind as a culture so it was really relieving to know that I wasn’t the only one and I feel like that song was kind of my journey to being confident and happy with myself.
How would you describe futurist pop?
I would just say that the music has so many elements of electronic sound, I feel like for me it means kind of trying everything…experimenting and having no boundaries cuz I feel like for some time in my career I feel like I was making music that I love. The developing stage was so important and now that I’ve kind of carved that lane for me and now that I know what I want, and I know what I wanna do. I got a little lost on the way there but now I feel like I’m heading back. Â
When you experiment with different genres, do you ever worry about getting lost in that process or do you think that it’s something that you must go through?
I think it’s a process I have to go through! I feel like it wasn’t really that I was thinking about what other people were thinking it’s just that I wasn’t aware of where I wanted it to go. I love so much music…trying to pick one thing is so hard. I think that’s why I needed to go through the process of trying everything until I realized it. Everything I’ve ever made is just a reflection of my age and where I was, and I think the reason why my music is expanding more is that I am expanding more. I always write from the most honest place, the writing is never anything that you can make up, it is exactly what I’m going through, so the sound is what carries it.
If you could say one thing to a person that is currently struggling with their identity, what would you say?
I would say that you should never take it personally because if someone is judging you it’s because they’re unhappy with themselves and I feel like anyone who has any judgment towards anybody…you’re clearly unhappy with where you are and what you stand for and you need to go and figure yourself out. I would say it’s not personal and do not take it personally, and to be your own advocate…because no one is ever going to be your own advocate but you.
What’s your favorite nail color?
Mine is black right now, but I honestly love a good French tip…I love a good clean French tip that I can just wear with anything.
What would you say is the future of pop music?
I think that’s just up to the artists that are making it! I think that the future of pop music is being honest and authentic and trying to not only express what you’re feeling but hopefully say things in your music that is a part of a movement. The future of pop is a future revolution!
Would you say that you believe in star signs?
Yes, but I don’t want people to prejudge me based on what sign I am.
I’m a Gemini! Geminis are crazy!!!
 STORY / Alexander Mays PHOTOS / Callum Walker Hutchinson
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