DROWNING - Album Art for Gio
When two or more artists work together on a project, the creative potential is boundless. So when Gio called to inquire about an underwater photo shoot to create art for his upcoming single release, I was thrilled! Underwater themes and visions flooded my mind when I listened to “Drowning” for the first time. I knew our collaborative efforts would result in imagery very fitting for the song.
Gio already had a clear vision for the types of images he wanted to get, (thanks to his creative nature and extensive background in art), and during our initial consultations, I was able to help him understand how those could be achieved. On the day of the shoot, we had a clear direction of how the shoot would go. We both agree - it was a big success!
I interviewed Gio so you can learn about him, his music and this underwater album art project.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into music!
It’s a funny story actually! It was around this time of the year; close to my birthday and I went to BestBuy with my mom and I saw this Yamaha piano keyboard and I told her I wanted it for my birthday. And time passed and my birthday arrived, and after cake, my mom brought out this big box. So I thought this was my big moment to receive my first keyboard! I opened the wrapping and it happened to be a keyboard stand, and being polite I just smiled. A few minutes later my mom brought out a bigger box and I found out that that box was a piano! So that is when I started writing silly little songs that I would be embarrassed to show now! I taught myself piano and then I got into band where I played clarinet for 7 years. Eventually, during my freshmen year of high school I was introduced to the world of electronic music production and my ideas took flight. I started spamming my friends with simple tunes I wrote asking for feedback and direction, and eventually I started to get a following and support from them.
What inspired you to write Drowning?
I wrote drowning after a breakup in early January. I sat down at my piano and started writing the song with raw feelings in mind. The song is basically about a person that wants attention from their lover so they do something drastic. In this case the character swims out into the ocean expecting this person to care enough to throw a life raft at least. Through the progression of this characters emotional journey, he realizes that his previous lover doesn’t care enough to do the bare minimum.
D R O W N I N G L Y R I C S
“I swam out far into the sea
in hopes to find a better me
but I didn’t realize the waters hold
and no one said it would be this cold
I chased you miles for attention
and threw myself into the surface tension
I always wanted you to be my hero
but when you had the chance
you didn’t even spare a glance
and now I’m drowning
I’m drowning”
Talk about the metaphors you use in the music video.
I actually struggle from major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder and I am medicated. The music video contains a euphoric scene with water-like lighting. As the character walks into the running bath tub, he is carrying a pill bottle to resemble a high or hallucination. As the character steps into the bath tub he hallucinates that he is stepping into a much deeper body of water. The idea of drowning in the water imagery also resembles one drowning in their own mind. As the song progresses the character wrestles with a chain and picks flowers in a “loves me - loves me not” fashion. During the bridge of the song, the character downs what is supposed to resemble antidepressants (actually tic tacs). For a moment the water imagery reverses to resemble the antidepressants working and saving the character from drowning in the mind. Unfortunately since the character takes all of the pills, the effects of the medication goes too far and leads to an overdose. There have been times where I struggled with suicidal thoughts, but I am doing better and I am finding the pleasures of life.
Were you nervous to do an underwater shoot? How did it go?
At first, I knew in my heart that the cover art needed to be an underwater image, but I didn’t even know if this was a thing! I went to Google and after inquiring with several other water photographers and not getting a response I came along Flashpool Productions page! I called Sarah with a prompt answering of the phone and explained to her my vision. I wasn’t nervous going into the photo shoot at all! After viewing the gallery and FAQs that Sarah has listed on her website I knew that her artistry was worth every penny and I felt safe knowing that she was confident enough to work with clients of all swimming experiences. I felt so comfortable during the shoot that I opted for a metal industrial chain and pocket weights to sink me further into the water.
Do you have a favorite image from the shoot?
My favorite image from the shoot is the one with the chain simply because had video of that pose forming and to my viewers that saw the still image in my advertising also saw that picture form in my music video. I also do really like the image of myself on the side of the pool holding the roses with my head above the water because it really shows the extent I was going through for that relationship to work; to deliver those roses to the one I loved even though I was gasping for air at the surface.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself living in Los Angeles California living my life as a freelance music producer and artist, hopefully I make the necessary connections to become successful and work with a professional studio as a recording engineer.
How can we follow along and support your journey?
You can follow my journey by following my social media platforms and most importantly on the places where my work is displayed (i.e. Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc.)!
IG, TWITTER: @GXCMUSIC
YT, SPOTIFY, OTHER STREAMING: @GXC
CASHAPP: $GXC27 (for donations)
