Artist of the Week: Gigi, singer and songwriter in Port Orchard

Gigi is a singer, songwriter and producer from the Pacific Northwest. She collaborates with her brother, Sigfried, who co-produces her music. You can follow her on Instagram @gigi____music.

Seattle Refined: How long have you been writing/performing?
Gigi: I've been writing and performing my whole life, but I began writing music seriously when I was 19, so it's been a little over a decade. I've always been a writer and a music lover. I grew up performing in many forms: dancing, acting, singing but interestingly, I've become shyer about performing as I've gotten older. So far, I haven't performed my original music live, but who knows, maybe one day I'll be a little braver and a little less shy!

Tell us about the artistic process and the different stages that work into it.
This is the most beautiful and fun part! Writing music is pure therapy and so much fun. Inspiration strikes in so many ways. Sometimes it starts with lyrics, sometimes a melody, sometimes just hearing a beat and adding your own ideas. I often feel like the songs come from somewhere else, and I'm simply the vessel. It's a visceral, emotional and human process that just happens to come out through music.

Where does your inspiration come from? What artists have influenced you?
Not to be too cheesy, but I draw inspiration from within! I have a deep urge to create that keeps me connected to my inner child and also to others. I've always found life and the different experiences endlessly fascinating, and there's something magical about what music can bring out of us. There is nothing more powerful than a story — I think that's what keeps us all connected.

Artistically, I've been influenced by Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith, Sade, Sheryl Crow and No Doubt — a blend of 90s ska, alternative and soulful jazz-pop. There are so many more, but those are the first that come to mind.

What kind of genre is your music? What kinds of things do you write about?
I'd describe my genre as a combo burrito! There's jazz, reggae, neo-soul and a little pop in the mix. People have compared my sound to Sade or Sheryl Crow, depending on the song. My music reflects who I am, and one thing about me is: I'm different every day. I'm always evolving, and so does my music. Sometimes I want to sing a sultry Billie Holiday number, other times I'm channeling Alanis-style angst. It just depends on the moment. I guess you'll have to listen and decide for yourself.

Do you have one song that means more to you or is especially close to your heart?
They are all special to me, but "Baby Bird," my most recent single, stands out to me because I wrote, produced and recorded it myself in GarageBand. While my brother usually records my music, "Baby Bird" started in my living room over a rainy weekend. I recorded all the vocals and built the track solo. My brother helped polish and finish it, and my dad was able to play some guitar on the final track, but I'm proud that I took the first steps on my own. It was such a blast.

What experiences in your life have shaped your music?
My life is my music. Every song has a backstory, an experience, a feeling, a moment or interaction that inspired it. Nothing is random; it all carries meaning. My hope is that the listener can feel that emotion, because sometimes it's easier to say things through music than through words.

If we want to hear more of your work, where should we go to find it? Any upcoming shows?
No shows just yet, but you can find my music on all streaming platforms! Since "Gigi" is a common name, it helps to search with my song titles like "Baby Bird" or "Psychic in New York." Happy listening!

What's next for you? Anything you're working on right now that you're excited about?
Having the time and space to create art is such a luxury, so I'm always trying to find little pockets of time to write or record. It's a lifelong endeavor, and I'm just enjoying the ride.

Lastly, how do you take your coffee? We ask everyone!
Black or with a splash of creamer — depends on the day!

About 'Artist of the Week': This city is packed with artists we love to feature weekly on Seattle Refined! If you have a local artist in mind that you would like to see featured, let us know at hello@seattlerefined.com. And if you're wondering just what constitutes art, that's the beauty of it; it's up to you! See all of our past Artists of the Week in our dedicated section.