Exclusive Interview: Gia Ford

Tara speaks with alt-pop artist Gia Ford as she embarks on her first tour, talking about writing new single ‘Poolside’, her musical journey, influences and navigating social media as an artist.

Kicking off the new year, alternative pop visionary Gia Ford has released her new single ‘Poolside’ via Chrysalis Records. Recorded in LA, at the renowned Sound City Studios with legendary producer Tony Berg (Phoebe Bridgers), ‘Poolside’ demonstrates how Gia is able to craft songs like no other artist of her generation. Listen to ‘Poolside’ here and watch the video here.

Told from the perspective of a poolboy working under the glare of the LA sun, ‘Poolside’ taps into a feeling of disconnection that, in some way, everyone can relate to.

Poolside was first inspired by an image from a coffee table book, depicting affluent 60’s Los Angeles. A birds-eye shot of houses with pools in the hills. I imagined a poolboy, disillusioned and angry at the world, and began describing what he felt and saw, working in a well-to-do LA neighbourhood. There’s this separation between him and the people he’s working for. He’s invisible to them.

With those images of clear blue water and lush green palms, and the bitter voice of the poolboy as he toils away in the luxury homes of his employers, Gia makes a simple but masterfully executed point about class, wealth and aspiration in the modern age.

Gia’s previous singles ‘Alligator’ and ‘Falling in Love Again’ received critical acclaim from tastemakers including Rolling Stone UK, DIY, NME, Clash, Dork, The Line of Best Fit and 6Music. She has been tipped as a One to Watch for 2024 by The Independent, The Sun, Record of the Day and Celeb Mix, and featured as an artist of the week by Ticketmaster.

Gia will celebrate the release of ‘Poolside’ with a headline show at London’s The Lower Third this evening and earlier this month, she was announced to support Marika Hackman on her March UK tour. Gia will kick off her summer playing at Brighton’s The Great Escape Festival in May, following her spotlight as one of The Great Escape’s First Fifty. Keep your eyes peeled for Gia’s upcoming sessions with The Independent Music Box and BBC Introducing coming soon.

With her timeless sound and ability to convey raw emotion through her haunting lyrics and vocals, and exciting live shows in the pipeline, Gia is on course for a meteoric rise in 2024.

Check out our Rising Spotlight Podcast featuring interviews with other emerging artists. Plus listen to Channel R Rising, our 30min curated playlist featuring the best emerging artists playing Mon-Sat at 5pm PT/8pm ET and Sundays at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on Channel R.