There was a time when Gia Margaret wasn't sure if she would sing again. Thankfully, she did, and released one of our records of the year so far with her fourth LP, Singing. “I didn’t know who I was anymore," Gia says. "So it felt like beginning again, and reconnecting with these very old, old parts of myself.” Recorded across London, Eau Claire and Chicago, Gia worked with an impressive list of collaborators including Doug Saltzman, who plays on and co-produce most of the record, alongside Frou Frou’s Guy Sigsworth, David Bazan, Amy Millan, Deb Talan, Kurt Vile, and Sean Carey. We spoke to Gia about making her poignant and wonderful new album, Singing:

We love your new album, it’s beautiful. How do you think you have evolved as a songwriter since your last album in 2023?

Thank you so much. Well, my last record (and the one before that!) was mostly instrumental so returning to lyric writing required me to express myself with words again. I was faced with having to think about what I wanted to say again. It was hard but felt so necessary. The thoughts that turned into lyrics were living in my head for a long time.  I wrote the bulk of my first lyrical album in my 20s, and a lot of growth and life has obviously happened since in my 30s. I think the songs feel so much more reflective to me, whereas in my younger years they almost felt more careless or wreckless. Lyric writing felt more careful this time around. Maybe that comes with age, you’re more careful. Maybe a little too careful!

Tell us about crafting this project. Was there a specific place that felt conducive to your writing? Or brought something out of you that you hadn’t explored yet?

When I wrote this album I was living in Evanston, Illinois. Very close to the lake. (Lake Michigan). I think of the little music room in my apartment and sitting at my piano late at night or with a guitar and the window open. Taking walks near the lake while listening back to my demos felt like such an important and magical part of the process too. And like.. sitting on a rock with my notebook and staring out at the waves. :)

What was inspiring your writing?

Returning to joy. That sounds a little cheesy but finding beauty in my small life felt like the biggest inspiration.

You worked with some great people on this album. How did they help shape your sonic world? What did you learn from them?

They each brought their own immense strengths to the project. Whether it is Guy Sigsworth’s spacious string arranging and distinctive glitchy drum production or Sean Carey’s knack for building ethereal worlds with his thoughtful arranging. I think a lot of their contributions brought some familiarity into what felt like a huge scary leap forward. Stepping out of my comfort zone with people whose music I had spent countless hours with made it feel a little more grounding in a way. I think my music taste has always shaped the music I make in some way, so marrying my passion for music with the process of making it felt so good at the time. Above all I felt so lucky to see some of my heroes at work and to be in conversation about their process. I think I will take some of these lessons learned with me for the rest of my life.

What did you learn about yourself through the making of this album?

I know I just rambled on about the things collaboration brought me, but I think the biggest thing I learned about myself is that I love producing and recording. I think going into studios and working with others strengthened my relationship with identity as a producer. I would almost feel jealous that an engineer got to set up the microphones or I’d feel a bit anxious if I didn’t feel like I was active in the mixing seat. I genuinely love that part of the process! Some of these moments felt really telling to me, when previously I might not have felt so confident calling myself a producer.  The encouragement I received from Guy Sigsworth, especially about one of my demos, felt so affirming. I would get so inspired by our sessions together and go back home and keep the ball rolling on my own. Guy and I  kept most of my demo intact for Everyone Around Me Dancing (which he then added to so beautifully.)

We love the visuals, too. Tell us about creating the visual world to these songs.

I think I knew I wanted two things to be represented: the grit of my city and the beauty of having access to a big body of water within it. I think there’s a lot of duality about living in Chicago and that definitely has influenced my work. This record feels so dense, like the city feels, yet there are moments of respite and airiness. Sometimes when I’m by the water I forget I’m in the city at all! I think I wanted the visuals to reflect that– both the album cover and the videos.

You’re touring North America and hopefully Australia soon! What is a Gia Margaret live show like?

It’s a blend of a lot of things. I think because I didn’t get the chance to tour my first few records, those elements are represented. Whether it be through nature sounds or more mellow moments. And then there’s a new element that has more of a pulse. I’ve been performing with Ryan Hemsworth, who is providing a lot of electronic elements and triggering samples from Singing. Which feels like new territory but also something I’ve always wanted to do! There usually is some kind of harmony represented. On this US tour, I have one of my favourite voices, Deb Talan, singing alongside me. And then I will usually have some kind of woodwind or brass element. Saxophone, trumpet + flute are all over the record, and that definitely feels like a grounding element to the set. I’ll usually throw in a few piano songs as well.

Is there a song you’re especially proud of on the album that might have been a challenge to finish or release for you?

I think the whole record was generally a challenge for me. It felt like a huge undertaking and like I couldn’t pick a lane or didn’t want to! But making it all sound cohesive was a big challenge for me. I think it overall was a challenge to finish for so many different reasons, haha. BUT. I would say the song I am most proud of is E-Motion.

Which other artists have you been listening to? Who is exciting you right now?

I’ve really been enjoying the band Caroline. I recently saw them here in Chicago and their live performance really inspired me. Yesterday I listened to Croz Boyce’s self-titled album after hearing it in a record shop. It’s sprawling and meditative and weird and gorgeous guitar driven ambient/experimental music. Feels like a good summer record. Watery and warm, like the sun spilling in through a window.

What’s next?

Lots of touring yet this year. West Coast in a few weeks, then Europe in Early Fall. Been enjoying figuring out what performing means to me again and honing that craft again. There’s this thing that happens when you get back from tour too… and that is usually a little burst of inspiration. I’ve been writing again. :)

Listen to Singing HERE.

@giamargaret