12 Questions With Gia G
We had a chat with Boston Native Gia Federico about her new music, what inspired her to pick up the guitar at a young age, her influences and much more.
Gia Federico is an instrumental guitarist and studio Guitarist out of Boston MA. With her solo Project as ‘GIA G‘, she is also in the Alternative metal band ‘Devil In The Mist‘ who are both signed to Slip trick Records.
NSG: Hello and how are you today? What have you been up to this morning?
GF: Hello I am good, ah, this is Sunday, just walked the dog, cleaned the house, and having a cup of coffee.
NSG: Your bio describes you as an instrumental guitarist and studio guitarist from Boston MA in America, how old were you when you first picked up the guitar and how did you learn?
GF: Yes, I grew up right next to Boston, a suburb, Somerville Ma, I started late, like when I was 17., I took lessons with Joe Stump for 3 1/2 years then went on my own and learned on my own and develop my own style and so on, yes instrumentals, but also have an alternative metal band ‘Devil In The Mist‘, and also do studio work for varies projects., I have my own commercial home studio
NSG: Your new EP “Cosmic Wave” came out on the 25 January 2022 via Sliptrick Records) can you tell us all about it?
GF: Yes sure, it’s a 3 song EP that went in a different direction for me, well actually not different, different than what I have released, I have played like that or those styles just not recorded yet and released till this EP.
NSG: So, the world has changed a lot after coming out of the pandemic, how has it changed for you and how did you personally get through the lockdown?
GF: It changed in a positive, I’ve pretty much built my entire fan base and everything from online, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Reverbnation, and Linkedin. Etc., I think the future will be more online and more, especially with the metaverse, and 5G.
NSG: I read that you also have an Alternative metal band called ‘Devil In The Mist ‘and that Gia G is your solo project. Can I ask how these both differ and what made you want to do something solo outside of the band?
GF: Yes, they’re both signed to Sliptrick, Devil is more Alternative metal, GIA G, is more open to every style, jazz, jazz fusion, blues, classical, acoustic, acoustic slap, pop, country etc, but that’s on hiatus, as the singer is no longer with that project, so I’ve decided to put it on hiatus, concentrating on my solo project
NSG: Who would you say have been your influences as a guitarist?
GF: Tons, Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Randy Rhoads, Ronnie James Dio music, voice and guitarists Vivian Campbell, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Alan Holdsworth, Ritchie Blackmore, Paco Deluca, Chuck Berry, Stevie ray Vaughan, Scotty Moore, Queen, Aerosmith, The Police, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Cars, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Blondie, Pat Benatar, Elvis, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Tool, Alterbridge, Motley Crue, some punk bands, Indie bands, 80s pop, I love too, ect.
NSG: As you know we are a UK-based music magazine. Have you ever played here in the UK? If so when and where was it? If not, then do you have any plans to visit in the future?
GF: Yup, I see that you are, no I haven’t, would love to, been asked to play Europe on some tours and festivals, I have been to England on vacation, Portsmouth, London, went to Stonehenge, and the forest that Robin Hood was hiding out in, in Nottingham, lol.
NSG: What is your favorite guitar and rig set-up and why?
GF: It’s tough to say cause it all goes with the song I’m writing and what amp or guitar fits it, live, I have been using my Custom shop Red Fender Strat, with a Marshall JVM, I have JCMs, but I don’t like taking them out, only in the studio, I also just recently purchased a Seymour Duncan Power, with My Boss GT 100, I use it for recordings to, but live it would great, I use my custom 7 string Jackson Live and record with, but the new Album I’ve been using my 7 string ESP, half scalloped guitar neck.
NSG: If you could sit down and have dinner with three people from history (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
GF: Ah, I think more people in business, and who invented or cured things, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, Actually I would love to sit down and talk to Jesus. 🙂
NSG: What music are you listening to at the moment?
GF: Like what’s on your playlist? Pop, blues, jazz, jazz fusion, Shred guitar, some metal, old metal.
NSG: Do you think it’s harder in the industry for women to make it and is there much support available?
GF: In My country yes. It’s harder unless you are connected or in that holly wood crowd sorry to say, and most want to use women for sex, Female Guitarist don’t get the same respect as the males, like everything else, nothing you can really do about it, I mean I don’t even talk or are friends with any of the female guitarists, seems to be a lot high and mighty attitude and competing, very sad to be honest.
NSG: How is the rest of 2022 looking for you?
GF: I’m concentrating on my recording my length. 8 to 10 song albums. For GIA G. For Sliptrick records, will be releasing some endorsement videos, some will be segments of 1 or 2 of the songs that will be on the album
NSG: What advice do you have for anyone young starting out learning guitar?
GF: Hmm, just look at it as a hobby and opening your mind, which music the best for, don’t concentrate on thinking you’re going to be a big star, it’s probably the worse business and most corrupt I’ve ever seen, just learn or play for enjoyment.
NSG: Thank you so much for your time, we wish you all the luck in the world! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
GF: You’re very welcome.
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