GIUNGLA: Q&A + Cold (Bronson Live Session)
That knock on the door is Emanuela Drei a.k.a. GIUNGLA here to deliver a basket full of forward-thinking "camouflage" pop offerings. If you ask me, they're more welcoming than a welcome mat. From well-received warm-ups shows, to early online endorsements from the likes of NOISEY and NYLON, something tells me she's charting a course towards endless viral charts. Lucky for us, we not only had the chance to host a short Q&A with GIUNGLA, but also have the honor of premiering a recent live session where the artist performed a stripped down version of her song "Cold." Here’s the shakedown:
1. Thanks for taking the time out to talk with us! For a new artist, you're already racking up notable accomplishments from blog coverage, climbing the Hype Machine charts, and now we're hearing more performances are in the works? How do you divide your time to tackle everything on your plate? What’s a typical day in the life of GIUNGLA look like?
I really can't wait for the next months to come, soon I'll be back in the studio working on new stuff and I'm very excited about some of the next live dates. This weekend I'll play Le Mini Who? in Utrecht and right now I'm on my way to my first gig in Austria for Europavox Festival. A typical day in my life usually involves spending a lot of time in the car like today, but when I'm home every day can be pretty different from the other; one day I'm shooting a video, another day I'm working as graphic designer or I'm working in my rehearsal room. The only thing I need to do in order to keep focused and not mess with my routine too much is a morning run with my shameful pop playlist!
2. Speaking of your upcoming trips and shows, what do you keep in your travel survival bag? Any peeks into your set that you can share with us?
One thing I can't tour without lately is a ginger root. I chew it while doing some stretching (or sometimes “nervous jumping”!) before the show and it gives my voice a bit of boost.
Then I always carry a Yashica T5 camera for all the cool and weird stuff I see on the road; I like using it because it's so different from taking a random picture with your phone and when I get the film finally developed it always feels like a discovery.
My current set up basically consists of a guitar and some pedals. There are no particular secrets about it, it's the perfect solution for this "first phase" since it gives me the chance to be as free as possible.
3. As an artist, what’s been your most memorable moment to date?
Last summer I had the chance to play a festival alongside two of my all time favorite acts: Grimes and Blood Orange. If I hadn't been on the bill, I would have bought a ticket for that festival. Feeling part of something bigger and get the chance to chat backstage with artists you love, nothing can't beat that. It was a very good day.
4. Will you be attending 2017’s SXSW in Austin, Texas? If so, what are you most excited about doing/seeing while you're there?
I'm really looking forward to playing SXSW. I've been there two times already with different bands and it's definitely one of a kind festival, the atmosphere is unique. One of the most exciting things about it is that every year there are so many new good acts to discover, so many musicians to meet; I haven't checked the whole line up yet, but I'm very curious about seeing SURVIVE live.
Then I can't wait to catch up with many bands and people in the music business I've been in touch for a while and finally meet them!
5. Is there a particular venue (anywhere in the world) that’s on your bucket list to play?
I actually have many venues in mind that I'd like to play but none of them can't really beat the other. On my bucket list to play I'd rather put some unordinary places, like a museum, a cruise festival or somewhere in the desert. But my very ultimate dream is a tour in Japan.
6. I’m sure there are many, but who was your all-time favorite pop act growing up? Why were they everything to you? Would you say they were your biggest influence to date? If not, who holds that crown and why?
I grew up listening to a lot of different stuff and I like to think that my influences are a weird mix of all of it, from day one to now, so it's kind of difficult to name just one, especially thinking about pop acts, who sometimes - I have to admit - come and go.
Madonna was probably a constant presence, but I'm pretty sure that if I hold a guitar on stage it's thanks to Alanis Morissette since she was one of the first acts I saw live and my first music crush. But I'm afraid the crown goes to PJ Harvey, who's definitely not a pop act in the traditional sense, but is the only one I can name if we are talking about major influences. Her work is so bold and she's one true artist.
7. Lastly, the obligatory question of What can we expect from you in the coming months/year ahead? Anything exciting on the horizon we should know about and share with the universe? Any plans to come through Los Angeles?
Soon I will finally release an official video, then I'll go back to the studio to work on new music and get my live set ready for some festivals and other European dates. I love LA so much, I definitely want to come through and I'll do anything to make it happen soon. Fingers crossed!