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Exclusive interview with Indie Electro-Pop Vocalist GIIA

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Point Park chapter.

Photos courtesy of Catalyst Publicity Group

Emmy Giarrusso, who goes by the alias GIIA, is turning heads and breaking out into the electronic music scene with her songs that perfectly combine soul, electro-pop, trap and powerful, soaring vocals. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and studying contemporary voice, GIIA went on to work local producers before deciding to create her own music. Her fiery debut single was “Burning Game” [prod. MEMBA], and she recently released her latest track “Fade to Grey” [prod. MEMBA] which is written from the “perspective” of Mother Nature describing the “fading to grey” from the harm we have caused. Check out our exclusive interview with GIIA below!

HC: Who has been your biggest inspiration musically and in every day life? How have they made you grow as an artist and as a person?

GIIA: I was lucky enough to go to Berklee College of Music and study with many talented musicians. Watching my friends create and perform their own music has been a huge inspiration for me. Many artists in the electronic genre helped me become the musician I am today. George Maple is by far my biggest inspiration. Her melodies are infectious and I love the way she uses her voice. There is something so natural and real about it.

 

HC: What made you choose the electric-pop genre?

GIIA: ​The truth is, I am still molding my “sound” so I don’t like to limit my music to one genre or style. I have always wanted my sound to mimic the music that I listen to. Electronic/ trap music has always been my favorite so I think my style of music came out naturally from there.

Photos courtesy of Catalyst Publicity Group

 

HC: Your new single, Fade to Grey is awesome! It  has a very distinct story behind it. Have you always been passionate about the simpler things in life and the beauty of mother nature?

​GIIA: Thank you! This song is really special to me because I really believe in its message. My dad is an environmental lawyer so I grew up learning about the effects of human harm on the earth from a young age. I am so thankful for that. I feel the most like myself when I am by the ocean. ​

 

HC: If you were able to give your 16 year old self one pice of advice, what would it be?

GIIA: ​Don’t be afraid to start creating.

 

Photos courtesy of Catalyst Publicity Group

 

HC: How did you know that music was the path you wanted to go down? What was the deciding factor?

GIIA: Music has always been everything to me. I always say that it’s because my mum used to play so many amazing classics while I was in her belly. I came into the world with a great taste in music because of her! I knew shortly after my first voice lesson that I really didn’t want to do anything else with my life.

 

Check out GIIA’s electric new track, “Fade to Grey”.

Junior public relations and advertising major @ PPU | hockey enthusiast, crazed cat lady, lover of life, spontaneous world traveler | Forever a Naked Brothers Band fan & the future BFF of Gregory Polanco.
Casey McGaw

Point Park

Social Media Manager - Her Campus at Point Park Casey McGaw is a second semester senior at Point Park University hoping to pursue a career within sports and social media. Casey is an unashamed Harry Potter enthusiast (#TeamRavenclaw) and enjoys long, romantic walks to the fridge. She hopes to make a positive impact on the world around her through social justice advocacy and good puns. And as a social media professional, she is eager to share her "GIFs" with the world.