3 minute read
Mia Giovina: “It’s Always Been a Dream of Mine to Release Original Music”
Interview By Lauren Elizabeth Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
If her original song's "Time Machine" and "Sirens" aren't already looping around your playlist, you have definitely come across a Mia Giovina video on TikTok.
Advertisement
The twenty-year-old New Jersey native grew her fanbase on TikTok, rewriting popular songs from different perspectives. Her relatable and catchy lyrics helped skyrocket her platform, which now has 181.3K followers and 6.9M likes.
Giovina now shares her beautiful original music, playing snippets of unreleased music with her followers on TikTok before releasing the songs to streaming platforms.
Her debut single "Sirens" explores leaving her hometown to chase a dream, along with the excitement and hurt that come with growing up.
"If I make it out to New York, will I miss the sunset drive?" Giovina asks herself in the first line of the song.
She released her second single, "Time Machine," July 2nd, which also explores what it's like to grow up - this time, longing for childhood.
"Everything's growing, and I feel left behind. Everyone's leaving, but I still want more time," sings Giovina.
Giovina's message of holding onto childhood memories resonates with fans, and her inclusivity creates a safe listening space for music lovers.
Giovina describes her music and growing as an artist:
How would you describe your music and sound?
I think my music is super conversational and lyrically driven. I take a lot of inspiration from artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift, who are all lyrical geniuses.
If you had a time machine, what memory would you go back and relive again?
I love this question. I think one of the most bittersweet feelings in the world is realizing you're gonna miss a moment that you're still in. As I get older, I feel like I recognize those moments more often and try to cherish them as much as I can. I would probably time travel back to the summer my cousins and I went on vacation to the shore. I just loved everyone being together and being so carefree. Those are my favorite moments. Many of your first songs published on TikTok were spins on popular songs written from an alternate perspective, e.g., One Direction's "Olivia" from Olivia's friend's point of view, and Taylor Swift's "Betty" from Betty's point of view.
When did you decide you wanted to start releasing original full-length songs?
It's always been a dream of mine to release original music; I just never had original music to release. I think doing those rewrites on TikTok was kind of the gateway to writing my own music. It was a way I could practice my songwriting without too much pressure. Then when I wrote one of my first full-length original songs, it just felt really right to release it!
With 181.3K followers on TikTok, so many of your fans have discovered you on the platform. How has TikTok helped you grow as an artist?
Tiktok has opened so many doors for me and inspires me to work hard every day. It's so motivating watching musicians on that app be so incredibly talented and passionate. I also feel like TikTok has made me discover what kind of music I like and what music I wanna make, and what makes me feel fulfilled. A year ago, I could barely even write half of a song, and now I have two originals released with plenty more to come. Tiktok has absolutely helped me grow in so many ways.
