Georgia English is a songwriter and performer residing in Nashville, TN. Her unique songwriting voice blends the tangled roots of Americana music with a contemporary female perspective, flourishing in the space between humor and melancholy.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Georgia about the latest music, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’ve been living in Nashville the past 7 or so years, but I grew up in San Francisco. I’ve always considered myself Americana, but have been reflecting a lot on if that’s even a genre, or just an amalgamation of appropriated styles. I’ve been a lifelong student of “traditional” American styles, like Blues, rock n roll, classic country, etcetera, so I think a lot of that comes out in my music. I think what I make is a bed of musical recycled matter garnished with the most truthful thing I can say in a given moment. A lot of my recent work explores mental health, systemic structures, and personal spirituality — all themes that are perhaps more contemporary than the styles of music I’ve studied. I’m a little rock, a little soul, a little pop, and a whole lot of feelings.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
From a young age, whenever I met adult working musicians, I would just remember thinking “oh yeah, like me.” I was remembering recently that as a kid my favorite thing to do was spin my Beatles collection on my boombox in my bedroom. I had this tiny little orange bouncy ball, and I would spend hours bouncing it against my door to the beat of each song. It was a world I would just disappear completely into. I think that the realization that music is a space one can inhabit really got me addicted.
What motivates me is really the same thing as what lead me down that path. Lately I’ve been most motivated to reconnect to that feeling, especially after going to music school, and being a working musician for about a decade now. It’s so easy to become jaded and ungrateful and to just start going through the motions. But through the grind, there are sacred glimmers of that original childlike feeling, of disappearing into a world. That is really what made me want to write “Pain and Power” my new full-length Illustrated Book Album.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
So this release is a full length album AND an illustrated book I wrote. To fully experience the project, I recommend listening and reading at the same time. Like a musical for bookish introverts! Ha! It loosely follows the Hero’s Journey archetype, brought to light by Joseph Campbell, and chronicles a time in my life where I had to fight for myself and my truth.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Just two?! I think being heard can be a challenge, since there is so much music! And also the role of self-promotion in being an indie musician has always been my biggest challenge since it can feel awkward and icky in a world where there are certainly bigger and more urgent things to be advocating for on our platforms.
Technology has helped musicians like me in our ability to be autonomous though, I think. In some ways I think it’s become a more even playing field, which is good.
What was the last song you listened to?
Hands, by Jewel. One of my favorites.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I love Vinyl but struggle with the maintenance of it all. My partner’s Astro van only plays CD’s, so we’ve gotten into sweet habit of hitting second hand stores for old classic cd’s and taking them on roadtrips. So I guess I’d say… CD’s!
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I’m a Bandcamp person, because it allows me to support musicians I value. I love the playlist nature of Spotify, especially in my music education work with kids, but I just wish the payouts were more dignified for musicians.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
My website is www.georgiaenglishmusic.com! You can also find me on instagram at @georgiaenglish, on Twitter at @georgiabenglish and facebook at www.facebook.com/georgiaenglishmusic. Come for my music, stay for cute pictures of my puppy.
