The only GIRLI: Artist Spotlight
- Kirsty Bright
- Oct 16, 2019
- 4 min read
We at More Than A Millennial believe in uplifting everyone, particularly women, showing that we can achieve anything. Set to celebrating women in all industries and the power their creativity possess, especially in the music industry. The music business is a powerhouse of genres, it brings us conveyed emotions into a 3 min track. However the industry is also awash with male musicians from bands to rappers, look at the biggest UK festivals this year and you will see a 90% line up of males. Why is this? Well we talked to GIRLI, a fantastic artist who surrounds herself with creative women and uses her music to empower fans. We chatted about collaborations, her debut album, and advice on being yourself!
More Than A Millennial: As a female musician in a male dominated industry, why do you think a small proportion of women seem to be represented in the music business especially in regards to festivals?
G: Because while it’s still men at the top, label staff at festival lineup board meetings are still going to be majority men. We need more women and non-binary individuals in positions of power in the music industry - starting their own festivals, being managers, label execs. But it’s changing, because people are noticing and demanding representation. The industry revolves around the artists, so the artists need to make noise about it.

MTAM: For you, what women influence you to be headstrong and confident in a male dominated environment particularly when it comes to touring?
G: I always try to surround myself with strong women. I employ mostly women as my photographers, videographers, musical collaborators. When I work with men, they have to respect women and the privilege that they have as a man. If they don’t, then they won’t last long with me!
MTAM: You collaborated recently with Dorian Electra on a one minute track. How did that come about?
G: I love Dorian’s music and their community and brand they’ve created around their music. I was following them on Instagram for a while and messaged them out of the blue to see if they wanted to do a collab. Turns out they’d messaged me 2 years before and I never saw the message! Talk about late replying.
"I just hope that people listening to my songs can feel less alone. I hope they can go “Hey, I feel like that sometimes, she gets me.”
MTAM: Following that fantastic track, who would be your next dream collaboration?
G: On my next EP there’s a bunch of dream collaborations that have been made a reality, and I’m so happy to be able to work with people who inspire me and collaborate with them. For future collabs, I’d love to work with Grimes. She’s a badass.
MTAM: This year saw the release of your debut album ‘Odd One Out’ what is your favourite part of the process, do you have a set sound idea when going in?
G: No, not really. My music is like my diary entry, which is like my head and my mood - very changeable. I used to really fret over the fact that my songs didn’t always sound cohesive sonically, it used to make me worried that I lacked a musical identity, a “sound”. I still worry about that. But I’m coming to realise that the thing that ties my songs together is that they’re all unmistakably me. I’m still figuring out what my sound is!
MTAM: Your debut album saw a mix of themes, allowing fans to relate to your music. Do you feel the younger generation has more of voice when dealing with these issues and look up to you as their role model?
G: I think social media, as much as it has negatively affected this generation, has also normalized the conversation around themes like mental health, feminism, the struggles of being young, so I think yes this generation are way more able to talk about this stuff than perhaps previous generations. I don’t know if I see myself as a role model - I just hope that people listening to my songs can feel less alone. I hope they can go “Hey, I feel like that sometimes, she gets me.”

MTAM: You can only listen to three songs for the rest of you life, what would they be and why?
G: I CAN’T POSSIBLY IMAGINE HAVING TO DO THIS but here’s some ideas:
Hand In My Pocket - Alanis Morisette. This song makes me feel like it’s okay not to have my shit together. It’s cool as fuck.
Lizzo - Truth Hurts. This song makes me feel like I’m a bad bitch who can do anything and love myself.
Pienso En Tu Mira - Rosalía. This song is just perfect. This would be for crying, too.
MTAM: If you got to create your own festival who would you have on the line up and what would the set theme/vibe be?
G: I would get all the bands I listened to when I was a teenager to play and I’d invite all my friends and fans to the festival. I’d sing duets with all the bands and cry the whole time from intense nostalgia.
MTAM: What advice do you have for women who want to pursue music, and to feel confident in that particular industry?
G: Make whatever the fuck you wanna make. Wear whatever the fuck you wanna wear. Take advice and support, but only if it’s from people who want you to thrive being authentically you. Surround yourself with supportive people and with FEMINIST people!
MTAM: And finally, what can we see in the future any sneak peeks what to expect?
G: Wayyyyy more music. And videos. And tours. I’ve recently gone independent from a major label and so the next wave of stuff I put out into the world is the most authentically ME stuff I’ve put out in a long time. Brace yaselves!
*On Thursday 14th November 2019, Rock Against Violence will host an exciting evening of live music. Returning for the 9th year, this year's event will be at Oslo in Hackney, this night to remember, will feature local bands selflessly helping raise much needed funds for Solace Women’s Aid, a leading charity in providing a range of support for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
Tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/2kaEtZI, featuring these amazing UK bands:
Be sure to follow the fab GIRLI on the following Social Medias below:
Instagram: @girlimusic
Twitter: @GIRLImusic
Official Website: https://girlimusic.com/

Published for More Than A Millennial October 2019 here
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