The queer pop scene has been bustling more than ever, with artists large and small coming out with all sorts of inspiring new music! From tunes that have you screaming the lyrics and dancing with your friends to melodies that hit deep while you’re laying in your bed, there are so many ways we can resonate with creative pieces – especially when they carry messages that hit close to home. While the big names continue to inspire people all around, it’s important not to forget the awe-inspiring works that come from our smaller artists as well. Today we will be interviewing Gianni Brini, a Swiss-based Italian-Hungarian singer-songwriter who has just debuted with their single “Won’t Be Home.” Brini creates pop and dance music for the glamorous, and expresses creativity through their captivating fashion and makeup looks alongside it. Dive into this sneak peek of Brini’s journey, plans, and goals as a small artist!
What got you into making music? Was there a significant moment of “spark”?
“Music has always been something which inspires me; and my love for female pop stars has always kept that excitement alive. I think it really sparked the moment I discovered Lady Gaga. The way she expresses herself throughout her sound and aesthetics really stuck with me and inspired me to create.”
Who or what is your biggest inspiration currently? What do you admire about them?
“For my songwriting: it’s my personal life. My songs tell stories about my own experiences. For me it’s like therapy. I also found out that once I finish a song, it’s pretty much captured within its own chapter, which I can open and revisit, but also put aside whenever I want. Other than that, I’m inspired by female pop stars like Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé or Chappell Roan. I love how powerful they are, whether it comes to their music, performances, or aesthetics; there’s just something about them that lights a spark within me. I’ve adored female pop my whole life.”
Your inspirations shine attractively through your work. How would you describe the energy you give off as an artist?
“Although there aren’t many songs out at the moment, I think it’s pretty versatile. I love to change up my look every now and then and [aim to do the same with] my music. I’m already working on my next era, which is gonna be completely different in terms of vibe and aesthetics. But for now, l’m in my glamorous-extravagant-pop star‘-era.”
What is your favourite instrument to play around with?
“Obviously, my own. My voice. I’ve worked really hard on it and I still am. Because of this process, I keep discovering new singing techniques that lead me to new melodies – which comes in handy for songwriting. Other than that, I love to play around on my MIDI keyboard. I’m not too experienced, but I can hit some chords and sing along to it. Recently l’ve also started to play the ukulele. I just love the sound of it and the vibe it gives whenever I hear it.”
What was your biggest challenge as a debuting artist – and what’s the best piece of advice you’ve learned or been given?
“Every beginning is hard. But I had never thought that there’d be so much to do, especially when releasing a debut single.
The best advice l’ve learned throughout this process is to be patient. Sometimes it might take longer than expected. What’s important is to keep going, but to also know when to slow down and recognise where your boundaries are.”
And what does that look like in practice? What is your creative process like when working on projects?
“Usually, I start with writing the song. The visual concept mostly comes immediately to me as soon as I catch the vibe of the song. After that, I try to find a way to turn my vision into reality with the set or the outfit. I love to express my art through different aspects, to me it’s more than just a song. I try to create a world around it, so you can hear but also see my vision for the song.”
The cover art for your debut single really stands out with flair. What went behind designing the concept?
“I bought the outfit about three years in advance. I just knew the occasion to wear it would eventually come. Early on in the creating process, I had the color pink in mind for the concept, so it was a perfect fit. The inspo for the set came from the meaning of the song. I wanted to create a fictional world. Another piece of inspo came from a scene from Miley Cyrus‘ music video for her single ‚Midnight Sky‘.”
Very evidently so, your experimentation with visuals and imagination forms a key aspect of your art. On a final note, can you tell us a bit about the meaning behind “Won’t Be Home”?
“Won’t Be Home’tells of farewells and new beginnings. It’s about letting go of the past and leaving the familiar behind, even if it’s hard sometimes. It’s a song that perfectly combines empowerment and emotion: danceable and profound at the same time.”
You can stream Brini’s single “Won’t Be Home” now on your favorite streaming services, and follow Brini on Instagram @itsmegiannibrini to support this artist on their dazzling debut!