An Interview With Giovanna
by Britney Henderson
Photos by Ruby Smallheiser
I sat down and talked with Chapman’s vocal powerhouse Giovanna to discuss her influences,
Personal Favorite Artists
“Taylor Swift is definitely my number one. But I also love listening to Fleetwood Mac and Billie Eilish. I’ve been getting into Willow, and I love Laufey and Olivia Rodrigo. I’m really into the pop world, but I also really love boygenius and Hozier and that area as well.”
“(Female artists) are inspirational to me because of how hard they work. I think female artists have to work a lot harder in the industry than male artists because we have to have a persona, we have to change it every year–like the eras–and everything like that. They have a lot more eyes and pressure on them. Seeing how they handle that and how they create music is definitely inspirational.”
Who (dead or alive) is headlining your ideal festival?
“I know they aren't all dead, but the group is dead, so I would really like to go to a Fleetwood Mac show, that would be really sick. And Michael Jackson. I grew up listening to him, and his music is iconic. Those are the two that come to my head because I will never be able to see them.”
Originals:
Persephone (released June 16, 2024)
“Persephone is about witnessing a toxic relationship from the outside perspective tied with the Greek Mythology story of Persephone and Hades, and hoping there is a better end of this tragedy for her Persephone.”
Movin’ On (released February 2, 2025)
“Movin’ On is an empowering bossa nova/jazz song about re-finding your identity, confidence, and strength after a breakup/heartbreak/let down.”
“I have two (more) in the works.”
Besides the technical aspects, what goes into writing originals?
“I feel like being honest is a very big part of my music because I am an honest person and I feel so very deeply that the only way to express it sometimes is through music. I told myself, as a songwriter, I have to be honest. If it's not honest, or I’m sugarcoating it, or not writing what I truly feel, it's not going to be authentic and songwriting is all about digging into the deeper aspects of you.”
“I told myself that I’m not going to feel bad if I write a song about somebody or my experiences because that’s what I felt, that’s honest, and I think people appreciate that in other artists.”
Outside of singing, do you play (m)any instruments?
“For composing, I usually just sit down at a piano and see what I can come up with. But I also play a little bit of guitar. I’m definitely trying to get better at both, but usually, piano is my go-to for composing.”
Artists or genres you see reflected in your music
“For me, I like to say pop-rock, but I am also in that singer-songwriter niche area.”
“I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from, of course, Taylor Swift, but I have also been getting a lot from Olivia Rodrigo, Beach Bunny, and I think a little bit of Willow, even though her stuff is really complicated.”
Do you have advice for your younger self just beginning her music journey?
“I was always angry that I never started (music) earlier but sometimes I see that as it had to have happened the way it did because of the people I have met. But I guess just to trust yourself more and put yourself out there more.”
Do you have advice for others pursuing music?
“I always asked for help with my music. I think that is very necessary just to ask for help and ask for people's opinions. Everyone is willing to help you, that’s the great part.”
Where can people find your music?
“Everywhere. Every streaming platform.”
What is the process behind publishing originals?
“You have to find a distributor–which anyone can do, you don't need a team or anything–you just research the one that you like, and then you send them your music, you pay for their subscription for a couple of years, and they will launch it into every streaming service ever.”
Did you meet your bandmates through Chapman?
“Yes, I met them in the commercial music ensemble and they are just amazing and super talented.”
How do you envision music playing in your career outside of being a solo artist?
“I’m trying to figure out that area still. I have prepared myself to go in the back end of music and the front side of technology, recording, and mixing because I thought that would make me a stronger artist overall if I knew how everything worked. I enjoy doing that process for other people as well, but the dream is always to have your own music out there and have a stable enough career for that.”
What is your sound or what you try to achieve?
“That is still something I am trying to figure out for sure because I noticed that I like to jump around a bit. I like to do pop-rock, but I just released a jazz song and I’m also trying to figure out some singer-songwriter acoustic things. So, I definitely don’t like to stay in one area.”
“As far as music itself, I think I’m always trying to make it honest and full of emotion. Whether that's anger, sadness, or confusion. I always try to put the most of that into my songs so you can feel it.”
What’s your earliest memory of music?
“My mom always likes to start with the story that I was always singing to stuff on the radio when I was a kid, especially during pre-school. She would share that when teachers in pre-school would ask the class, ‘Oh, what’s your favorite song?’ Kids would say ‘Marry Had a Little Lamb’ or ‘Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star’ and I would say, ‘You’re Beautiful by James Blunt’ and the teachers would be like ‘What? What do you mean?’”
“(Music) also helped me with speaking because I had some problems with speech and music was one of the ways I learned how to talk better and ever since then, I haven’t shut up.”
“Then I started to write more around middle school and high school.”
How has your music journey progressed from there?
“I started on guitar and started learning my favorite songs, but when I’m writing the instrumental part comes harder to me because I’m a lyrics and melody first kind of person. That’s always the thing that comes to my head. Then I try to sit down and figure out where I am at instrumentally.”
“I definitely have my bandmates with me. I can’t do music without them; they help me so much. I give them a simple structure of how I heard the song to be, then give it to them and say ‘do whatever you want with it’ or ‘what do you hear?’ and see what we come up with.”
How has your knowledge in composition and tech set you up for that?
“I think it helps me a lot because when I am in the studio creating, I have an easier time with using the systems and mixing, even though it’s definitely something I’m still trying to pick up on. But I know I’m growing with hearing things better or knowing where to go to get something within a system. I’m also picking it up from working with other artists as well by mixing and recording for them. I’m always like, “Well if I can record their stuff, I can record mine so it helps me and grows my confidence in that.”
Do you feel you have adequate resources at your disposal to make that come true?
“I wouldn’t be able to do this without Chapman because we have access to studios. The equipment there, and especially the people around you, makes a big difference. I would not have been able to do any of my music without them for sure. And that's also why I’m definitely scared to graduate and hopefully not lose access to everything.”
How much time do you spend in the recording rooms?
“I usually end up spending a lot more than I should. I go in there and am like, ‘Oh I’ll do work for like two hours’ and I’ll stay there for six hours and I’m very hungry, and I’m very tired, but I’m going to keep going.”
What visions do you have for growth or expansion, so to speak?
“With growth, I always want to be doing more. I want to put out more songs, I want to get gigs, I want to put myself out there and grow in my confidence and performance. Opportunities are definitely the hardest thing because it depends on the location, your music, and so many different factors. But I’m always that person–especially this semester–that I’m doing four things at once. I’m mixing two songs, I’m trying to write more, I’m trying to get gigs, I’m planning a music video. I’m trying to do it all and I’m always trying to keep going.”
“I want to get better at the guitar and piano. I want to get better at composition and theory, which has been a struggle for me, but I have learned how to create songs without having to rely on the theory aspect.”
Have you played many gigs?
“That’s still something I’m trying to do because (music) has been more of a Chapman-based thing, performing at the commercial ensemble concerts and the jazz combo concerts.”
“I did have one last summer that was my first solo gig and I was really nervous about that and learned a little bit more about the bad side of the industry.”
“I’m always asking people, ‘Where do you get your gigs?’ and ‘Who can I contact?’ and stuff like that.”
What can you tell me about the music video you are recording?
“I know of a person who has helped me with my past music video, and I met somebody else who does music videos, and I’m really passionate about one of the songs I’m making–even though it is going to come out way later–I would love to film it at Chapman and do it with my band. I have the vision; I just need to execute it. Right now, it has all been building up a shot list, outfits, and figuring out schedules, which is the hardest part, but I’m really excited.”
“I always say keep trying to create something. I have been going through phases of writing a lot and not really knowing what I’m saying, not sure where it is going, or not sure if I really like it. I have been trying to get okay with that you have to write some shitty stuff to write the good stuff. Maybe that idea will come back later on, or maybe it will form into something completely new. So just don’t try to beat yourself down, it only hinders you.”