GiGi FM
DJ | Producer
GiGi FM is a London-based artist who combines sound, dance and the art of mixing every conceivable genre while taking into account the colour, energy and general vibrations of any given situation. Having spent the last few years living in South East London, Giulia, who plays under the moniker of GiGi FM, is specific in her approach to movement and music. With a background in dance, her style has made her stand out since she first emerged into the stratosphere via a Low Heat Boiler Room in 2018.
Up until a couple of years ago, Giulia was spending her weekends going to techno events like The Hydra in Corsica between a weekly job selling high-end perfume in Central London stores. But it was a move to South London where she fully delved into sound through Peckham’s beloved Rye Wax record shop, DIY events with The Rising Sun collective, attending Block Festival and later on, a job at Rye Wax. Curious about music production, she started experimenting with Ableton for a possible performance project at the time while learning to mix on her housemate’s set of CDJs.
Soon with a string of sets at off-the-radar parties and casual B2Bs behind her, Giulia gained enough confidence to play at Rye Wax which co-functions as a space for parties and pushes local talent. It was here that she began to immerse further into sound and play out to intimate crowds in a close-knit and occasionally sweaty surrounding.
A residency with Netil Radio and a move to NTS Radio followed suit, leading on to a consecutive and more intense Boiler Room last year as her profile began to grow. She was then booked to head up a Boiler Room tour where she played in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Galway, Birmingham, Brighton and London, in addition to bookings alongside Hunee, Objekt, Clara Cuvé, Nur Jaber, Tommy Holohan and Dr Rubinstein to name a few.
A lot has happened in a short space of time and there’s a reason for that; GiGi’s sound is an unusual blend of psychedelic, percussive and cosmic melodies from techno to jazz to DnB, some of which take influence from current lunar effects and planetary observations. With such a myriad of genres and general weirdness to make up her collection, GiGi manages to tastefully merge them all into a sonic rabbit hole to share with her wide-ranging audience.
The last few months have been a whirlwind for GiGi, and she has used her knowledge on astronomy to remain grounded and to keep mentally in-check. For those who want to learn about how we're affected by what's going on up there in outer space, Giulia shares details below, as well as a happy memory from her last show in France…
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it?
This photo was taken in Marseille in November 2019.
I picked this picture because it was a beautiful trip, a nice memory of the dance which I miss so much. It was the last date of my Boiler Room tour and it was at home in France. It was special and I felt a real connection with the dancers. I played some groovy sassy techno into lush textures and mystic voices exploding into high energy cosmic techno.
How have you been getting on over the last few weeks? Lots has been going on around the world, and the pandemic restrictions are evolving even though they are not the most clear-cut instructions at times…
The lockdown has been a rollercoaster to be honest. In the last few weeks, it's been a bit more difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel but hearing my friends over in Europe is giving me hope. Things are restarting slowly.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with it all, do you have a go-to track or mix that significantly lifts your spirits?
When I feel overwhelmed I try to allow it and follow my flow ~ what would ease my mind? How can I let go? My NTS show from April was a bit of a therapeutic moment like that. But each moment has its soundtrack.
It seems like I always find myself either playing the piano, or listening to to Kelela Aquaphoria mix, which is a beauty to recenter your intentions, mind and body to, or Freddy K’s daily quarantine show which lifted my spirits on lots of mornings…bless Krzrzrz!!! I think he just did the last one, day 100, on Hör Radio in Berlin, and these days Tangerine Dream and psyche ballads.
Have you discovered any new artists or re-connected with forgotten records/sounds since the lockdown?
To be honest, I would’ve liked to however my boyfriend has been hogging the speakers resulting in me having to listen to Amy Winehouse’ live North Sea jazz festival in 2004 on loop for the past week.
We're in Mercury Retrograde at the time of this chat. Some readers may not be aware of or believe is a 'thing'. It can be an intense few days for some…how do you mentally navigate this time?
The term retrograde comes from the Latin word ‘retrogradus’ which literally means ‘backward step’.
As the name suggests, retrograde is when a planet appears to go backward in its orbit, as viewed from Earth. Astronomers refer to this as ‘apparent retrograde motion’ because it is an optical illusion.
Astrologers believe that the Moon, stars, planets, and Sun affect happenings here on Earth, and that each planet in our Solar System rules a different aspect of life. Like in the Greek and Roman mythologies, Mercury is the god of communication, travellers, literature, poetry and merchants.
This summer, Mercury goes retrograde in the sign of Cancer, giving us a total of five planets in retrograde.
This strong retrograde energy also greets us as we walk the Eclipse Gateway, which is the sacred and profoundly transformative time between Eclipses.
Collectively, this combination of retrograde and Eclipse energy will stir up some uncertainty and some deeper questioning about the direction of our lives. Our thoughts and the words we send out into the world all carry a vibration. This vibration helps to colour and paint the lens in which we view the world.
During this period I try and go with my flow, trust my gut as much as possible, and allow myself some me time.
Do you listen to certain sounds or genres during Mercury Retrograde?
Of course lots of ambient for zen times but no not really. Mercury Retrograde is always full of all the emotions therefore of all soundtracks.
Any tips on how to look after physical health and mind during this time?
Cherish what you have, take the time to observe and intake the abundance within and around you, trust your intuition and try to be at peace with yourself.
These times are to reflect and look into our intentions, wishes and desires. Take the time for you.
Listen to all of GiGi’s shows on NTS Radio here and follow her below: