Getting To Know: George Gianluca

Singer-songwriter George Gianluca has been making waves in the music industry with his latest single, "Love Of My Life". This soul-stirring pop ballad, featuring electric guitars and George's soft, emotive vocals, is a testament to his

songwriting prowess. The gentle backdrop of strings and acoustic drums adds depth to the song, making it a perfect fit for live performances. "Love Of My Life" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant track. We caught up with him as he reflected on 2023 and what comes next:

1. "Love Of My Life" is a beautifully crafted pop ballad that showcases your songwriting prowess. Can you take us through the inspiration behind the song and the creative process that brought it to life?

Thanks so much! I wrote ‘Love Of My Life’ about that gut wrenching feeling of falling out of love with something once treasured and the space it leaves you in. Though alluding to a romantic affair, this song is about my relationship with music. To personify music convincingly was the creative challenge that I needed. I initially wrote it on the guitar and of course it had a sad, soulful feel but I knew later that I wanted the production to add a lightness and a dreamy quality which I spent a long time working on.  

2. Your journey in the music industry has involved penning tracks for well-known artists like Cian Ducrot, Liv Dawson, Ruti, and Fabich. What prompted you to transition from being a songwriter and producer for others to stepping into the spotlight as a singer-songwriter? 

Deep down, I think I’d always wanted to write for myself and enjoy the creative freedom which comes with that, but honestly it was the pandemic which changed everything. Writing sessions moved over to Zoom, and I just couldn’t get on board with that, I really value connection and conversation and the experience of writing with others and that just wasn’t replicated online. So I figured if I’m not gonna sit and write songs for others, I might as well write them for myself right?

3. You started your musical journey at a young age, busking at 8 and forming a band in your teens. How have those early experiences influenced your current sound, and what lessons did you carry forward from those formative years? 

I guess playing in bands and having classic 80’s/90’s bands soundtracking my childhood means I am completely led by a love of the full, nostalgic qualities captured by Green Day, Kings of Leon, Nirvana and others. It’s definitely bled into my sound now! My biggest lesson I hold on to is that it takes writing a lot of average songs for the good ones to start flowing! All those years of absorbing great music and then getting out there and trying it in different forms make you a stronger musician. 

4. Your formal education at BIMM and self-taught guitar skills laid the foundation for your musical expertise. How did this blend of formal education and hands-on learning shape your approach to music production and songwriting? 

To be honest, the biggest thing BIMM gave me was a network. Having taught myself how to play guitar I never learnt the theory side of things, but I think that just made my ears stronger. I learnt and wrote everything by ear, and I see now how much of a benefit that is when it’s come to production - my ears are so well trained! Now, having a blended understanding of traditional music theory and my own ways of writing, I find I don’t feel constrained by the obvious or theoretically ‘correct’ decisions.

5. Collaborating with notable producers like Jake Gosling, Freedo, and Duck Blackwell must have been an enriching experience. How did those collaborations impact your growth as a musician, and what did you learn from working with such accomplished professionals?

In those sessions I’d always be peeking over their shoulders watching everything like a hawk. I wanted to see what plug in’s they were using and what tricks they were using, that was all super fascinating to me. I probably asked too many questions but I’m glad I did because I still use those tricks now. One thing they all have in common is speed. They all made sure that when a melody was coming to the surface they made a strong template around it quickly to keep the inspiration and magic in the room flowing. I really value that now. Understanding how to set up your own systems to optimise the creativity is fundamental. 

6. Shifting focus from writing and producing for others to pursuing an artistic career is a significant decision. What challenges did you face during this transition, and how has your background in production influenced your approach to creating your own music?

Definitely time management! Managing the additional workload has been an adjustment, and also learning to let go of a song when it’s finished. I write and produce everything myself so by the time the song is produced I’ve probably heard it 400 times and my ears need to hear new things. But my approach is always the same, I don’t tend to think about production until the song is completely written on my guitar or piano acoustically. I like to make sure the song is strong and then think about where I’ll take it after that.