THEAUSSIEWORD.COM special interview with Georgia Lines.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
Growing up I was always singing, performing, creating shows/circus performances for my parents and their friends, but I didn’t really start singing outside of sing star until my first year of Intermediate. A group of school friends and I had decided to re-enact one of the scenes from High School Musical and I landed the “role” as Gabriella singing breaking free for the school Talent Quest. This was the moment I can point to where it all began. Up until then I had never sung in front of anyone, including my parents and I think they were just as shocked as I was that I could sing. I guess my interest grew from there, and I started writing songs towards the end of high school. The choice to pursue a career in the music industry was more about my love for music and my lack of passion or excitement about anything else.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I often feel this deep sense of needing to create. It’s a little strange to explain, but it’s almost as if I become dis-satisfied within myself when I stop creating. I feel like my motivation to make great music comes from wanting to articulate how I see or experience something in my life, but it is also paired with a love of creating.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
One of my biggest goals, seems so simple but at the same time so hard to do. It is to work really hard at staying present in all the small and big moments throughout my entire career, however it may unfold. I have spent so much time getting carried away hoping, dreaming, chasing after success… that often I miss out on the fact that I am actually doing what I have always wanted to do – have a career writing music, performing and just creating rad things.
Of course I have other goals, but for now I am keeping those close to me and am working hard to make them happen (enjoying the moments along the way of course).
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
Obviously the landscape of Touring is looking a little different in the current Covid climate, but I am actually heading back into the studio next month to record my next project which we are planning to release in 2021.
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
Earlier in the year I released my debut EP (The week our NZ lockdown began.. thanks Covid) which has a bunch of songs that I feel so deeply proud of. Since releasing the EP, we have been working on a remix with Jack Burton for ‘Made for Lovin which is due for release October 30.
Hmmm, I always find this the hardest question but it is a combination of 70 inspired sounds, mixed with 90’s pop and many other things in between … the best way to describe it would be groove pop.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
My creative process often changes depending on what stage of creating I am in. I am trying to constantly find spaces, books, podcasts, places, art, fashion and other things to inspire and fill my creative tank. If I can fill myself up with creative things, when I start writing I often have ideas and inspiration to draw from. If I don’t pour into myself creatively, I often find that I don’t feel inspired or like I can create anything amazing. Aside from that, my songs are often written about moments/things/events/people/relationships in my life or observations that I have around something. I am trying to be more honest about what I say in my music and write in the hope that It really means something to me and the people that listen.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Not that I am aware of… I’ll let you know if I find one.
Success, what is the secret to it?
I think it depends on what your definition of success is. For me, success is simply doing what I love for a living. Within a creative industry, the bar is always moving and what it looks like for one person to succeed is completely different to the next. Writing music that I love, creating something from nothing and getting to do that for a job is success. If I get carried away with what success is painted out to be for another person, I am constantly competing with myself and everyone around me and the outcome is that I feel never quite good enough.
I am learning to be present and enjoy all the little moments along the way. Taking in each stage of the journey and being thankful for where I am at. To answer the question… I am running my own race, sticking to my lane and working hard to enjoy the race along the way. That is success to me.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
It sounds so simple, but my biggest career highlight has been recording my EP that I released earlier in the year. When I was in the studio recording, my initial plan and selection of songs were completely different to what is now on the EP. The reason why It was such a huge moment for me, was that for the first time I trusted my own gut and made the call to start again with some songs and completely throw out others. For too long I cared too much about what people thought hence why it took me over 4 years to release anything.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I am super inspired by Solange and have been for the past few years. Everything she does inspires me creatively, from her videos to live shows, to her music… I think she is wonderful.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
I am actually about to head into the studio in a few weeks time to record my new EP. It has been a busy few months writing new music and I am so excited to bring these new ones to life.
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
To be honest I don’t know what the next few years are going to look like with Covid dictating so much of what we are able to do. However, In an Ideal world I would love to be releasing music that is honest and true to me, still creating projects and music that excites me, and hopefully playing those songs to people all over the world.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
There are so many favourite parts… but my favourite part is making the ideas/songs/video concepts come to life. I love executing an idea and bringing it to life. I always get so excited by that! & of course live shows.
Currently my least favourite part is having to do my accounting and admin… ugh! I was terrible at maths at school so find it quite difficult at times.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
Troye Sivan, Matt Corby, Gotye, Kylie Minogue, Angus & Julia Stone
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Social media carries so much weight in the industry these days.. You can’t afford not to have a presence and be engaging with your fans. Especially now that the world has changed so much in 2020, the use of social media and continuing to connect with your fans using instagram/facebook/online platforms for live shows has been hugely important in staying connected throughout the strangeness of this year.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
Yes! I love collaborating with others. I am an extroverted human being who finds being in a room writing alone at times quite difficult and boring (not all the time). I would love to work with Solange, Emily King, Sampha… There are so many.
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
The best advice I can give is to keep going. At times pursuing a career within the music industry is really hard. There are many disappointing moments and hard moments, but there are also so many wonderful ones. You just have to keep going! Keep creating, keep writings, enjoy the journey along the way and don’t get weighed down by the stresses that the journey brings. Learn to enjoy all the little moments, work hard, write lists, get people around you and on your team who believe in you and who are going to cheer you on (you need those people).
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
I am so grateful that you would follow me along for the ride in this crazy, exciting, wonderful, nerve-racking journey. It always overwhelms me to think that you would listen to what I create and then love what I do. It’s always the hope that people would like what I create, and that It would speak to them in some way, but there is never any guarantee that what I create will resonate with someone else. So thank you for all the love and support and for listening. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on xx
Any last words?
Stay Safe Friends xx
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