In the enchanting realm of music, where melodies become the language of our souls, we find ourselves immersed in the ethereal soundscape of Gia Woods. With her latest single, "Somebody Else's Baby," unveiled from her eagerly anticipated EP, "Your Engine," Gia offers a glimpse into a world of sonic storytelling that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

For aspiring musicians who aspire to tread a similar path, Gia Woods offers sage advice. She encourages them to invest time honing their craft, navigating the realm of self-discovery, and fearlessly sharing their stories with the world. Her journey, from self-taught musician to chart-topping artist, is a testament to the power of authenticity and unwavering dedication.

As Coeval delves into Gia Woods' musical odyssey, one thing is clear: she is an artist who continues to evolve, push boundaries, and inspire change. With a promise to keep challenging conventions and an enigmatic wink at surprises yet to come, Gia Woods remains a force to be reckoned with in the ever-evolving landscape of music and self-expression.

Gia, your latest single "Somebody Else's Baby" from your upcoming EP "Your Engine" has a unique sound. Can you tell us what inspired the creation of this track and what you hope listeners take away from it?

I wrote this in 2021 when it felt like my life was falling apart, everything was changing dramatically. This is really personal and it was hard to talk about before, but I went through a huge loss. My dad passed away on Christmas and the music industry felt so unstable at the time. I was still healing from a 6-year-long relationship and I ended up meeting someone shortly after this, who felt healthy and right for me, but unfortunately I was so closed off and couldn’t offer even basic love because I was in such a low place personally. By the time I started to feel more like myself again and was ready to give that, it was too late and the relationship had run its course. I remember one day coming home skipping a party because I was too sad to go and I just went to my piano and started writing this.

Your music often explores personal and emotional themes. How has your background growing up in a traditional Persian household influenced your songwriting?

Growing up in a Persian household in LA was definitely a unique experience because a lot of my friends were much closer to their families and for me, there was a little bit of a disconnect having immigrant parents and I never really had anyone to vent to. I spent a lot of time alone so I gravitated towards writing and music. It was a way of expressing myself to myself if that makes sense.

Your music often reflects your identity as an out-and-proud queer icon. How important is it for you to use your platform as an artist to represent the LGBTQ+ community, and what message do you hope to convey through your music?

It’s extremely important to use my voice and be a vessel for anyone who needs it because I never really had anyone to look up to that represented me. All kinds of creators can change the world and I think it’s really important to continue expressing the change you want to see. We’ve come so far but there’s a long way to go and I feel responsible to always fight for that.

Your upcoming EP "Your Engine" promises to lean deeper into your Persian heritage. Could you give us a glimpse of how your cultural background has influenced the sound and themes of this project?

To be honest it’s still something I’m exploring. My song “Gia Would” is the first time I’m doing it in my music where we added a setar that’s an ode to my Persian heritage. The melodies I chose in some of the songs are very Persian-inspired. Persian music has a very specific type of rhythm and I incorporated more in the rhythms and melodies and less of the instruments, but I want to continue to experiment.

As an artist, you've cited influences like Radiohead, Green Day, Bjork, and Madonna. How have these artists shaped your musical journey, and what elements do you incorporate into your own sound?

One common theme they all have is their fearlessness and vulnerability. As writers, they all have been such big inspirations for me since I was a kid because they are the artists I always go back to because their music is so timeless and meaningful. Madonna is always unapologetically herself and made so many people who felt unseen, seen, which is something I try to do. Radiohead sonically and poetically is one of the best bands in the world and they always inspire me to push myself lyrically and take risks. Green Day is just the coolest band ever. I love punk pop. Even though I’m doing dance pop, I pull from some of that in the bass and grungier sounds. All of the artists have strong messages and that’s a big goal of mine.

Your music videos often carry powerful visual narratives. Can you tell us about the creative collaboration between your music and visuals and how you approach storytelling through your videos?

I like to reflect on my life and have moments where I’m trying to find meaning. When I do reflect, I think about all the things I want to do and the change I want to be a part of in the world. As I grow as an artist, I want to continue to push boundaries visually and have meaning within that tied to a powerful message. I want to keep saying “fuck you” to anyone who wants to judge people, control people, or tell them what to do. Everyone should just focus on themselves and let everyone else find their own ways of being happy on this earth.

Your journey in music has been incredible, from self-taught piano and guitar to releasing chart-topping singles. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to break into the industry, especially those who might be navigating their own identity and cultural influences like you have?

Before worrying about getting a label or manager or anything, I’d say the one thing people forget is that you need to “bake” a little bit and get really good at your craft, which means a lot of trial and error. Creating and writing a lot of songs and getting better and better. Once you feel like you know what you want to do and what you stand for, then you just have to take the risk of releasing music and telling your story. If it’s possible to open up to friends and family about your experiences I’d advise that and if you don’t have that support I’d say just put yourself out there and be your own support system as best as you can. There’s only one of you and that’s your gift. You have to be yourself because at the end of the day, that’s the truth and what makes you special.

And, can you tease any surprises or exciting plans you have in store for your fans in the coming months?

I’m definitely going to continue to push boundaries so you’ll just have to wait and see :)