Photographed by her girlfriend and frequent collaborator Melanie Lehmann (@melony.lemon), we caught up with one of our predicted breakout stars for 2021, London-based ethereal singer-songwriter Gia Ford (she/her).
Since her debut single Turbo Dreams in 2019, Gia has been on a journey of self-discovery and exploration with her sound and is fast becoming a queer icon in London’s underground music scene.
BRICKS Editor Tori West catches up with Gia Ford over email to discuss her inspirations and hopes and dreams for the future.
Blue and black fur hat by Florentina Leitner
Grey asymmetric jacket by Tianyu Li
Blue stripe shirt by Petja Zorec
Flower shirt by the Rune, Sheer dotted top by Foam of The Days, grey waist skirt by Tianyu Li, green check trousers by Naya Rea grey tie by Thomas William, England Silver ring by IN GOLD WE TRUST, black and neon yellow bag by Scotria and black tote bag by AMUAMU
Hey Gia, how are you today?
I’m good thank you! Enjoying the onset of the winter months.
Could you please start with telling us a little bit about yourself…
I’m a 24-year-old singer, songwriter, musician and producer from Sheffield living now in London.
I also definitely have visual pulls when I’m writing, I submerge myself in worlds and come out to tell the story.
When did you first start making music and why is it important to you?
When I was about 14 – I started just playing covers I’d learned online. I’ve been surrounded by it on both sides of my family my whole life – it’s always been a necessity to everyday life. It always brought me through bad moments and gave extra poignancy to the good ones.
What was the meaning around your new track, ‘This Town’?
It’s about wanting more for someone you love, who maybe doesn’t see they deserve it. It’s about trying to convince them that there’s much more than they see in their microcosm, their current path.
For those who haven’t listened to it yet, how would you describe its sound?
It’s a classic stripped ballad, very different from my other work up until now.
Who inspires you musically?
Many differing people. The artists I’m pulling from at the moment are Fleetwood Mac, Lana Del Rey’s most recent record, always portishead, sometimes even people like Robbie Williams.
Grey stripe overcoat and Grey stripe tie by Thomas William, England. Plum colour long stripe shirt by S.S Daley. Black leather shorts by Acne Studios and black leather bumbag by AMUAMU. 
Your accompanying visuals are regularly praised, especially your video ‘Turbo Dreams’. For this interview, the images were also shot by your girlfriend Melony, who you collaborate with regularly. Could you tell us a bit about your visual processes?
The visuals are key to the projects. They punctuate the mood of whatever I’m working on whilst retaining my image as a whole. Melony and I work together at home, so she often hears what I’m working on and starts building images around that from early on. I also definitely have visual pulls when I’m writing, I submerge myself in worlds and come out to tell the story. So I try to get involved with the story as much as I can.
What would be your dream collaboration?
Probably Quincey Jones, or Portishead. Or Stevie Nicks
At BRICKS, we love discovering new people. What emerging musicians do you like listening to? Who should our audience be keeping an eye on?
I say this every interview but 404GUILD are the most exciting up and coming collectively for me at the moment. I know them personally but I’m not biased – they’re amazing! Also keep an eye out for Albert Gold – amazing singer, once everyone hears him it’s over
It can feel quite lonely working on your laptop in your headphones over and over again. I took gigs for granted.
This year has halted so much when it comes to the events and music industry. What are your hopes and dreams for 2021?
To resume my plans to start playing live and meeting musicians for my band. I want to expand into the recording world with live musicians and be more present with the process. It can feel quite lonely working on your laptop in your headphones over and over again. I took gigs for granted. I want to go and be inspired by them more often, meet new people, keep growing!
Mixed colour mesh top by Petja Zorec
White see-through top by Foam of The Days
Grey check trousers by S.S Daley
Black shoes by CONVERSE X A-COLD-WALL*
Black long shirt with gloves by DHENZE
Black mesh top by Dylan Joel
Dark grey trousers and Grey puff skirt by Tianyu Li
Listen to Gia Ford’s ‘This Town’ below, keep up to date with her music by following her on Instagram.
STARRING: Gia Ford
WORDS: Tori West
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE: Melanie Lehmann
STYLING: Innes Woo
HAIR: Chloe Frieda,
MAKEUP: Ella Carter-Allen