Singer-songwriter Gini talks about her journey, inspirations, and what lies ahead

She started writing poetry when she was barely six. By the time she was 15, singer-songwriter Gini was out with her first song in 2021. Over the next three years, she released seven songs with the latest coming out earlier this year. At just 18, Gini is redefining the soundscape of Indian music with her heartfelt compositions that weave stories, emotions, and nostalgia into each melody. From learning instruments on her own to drawing inspiration from India’s cultural diversity, Gini shares her journey with Bazaar India that is as dynamic as her music.

Harper’s Bazaar:What inspired you to create music at such a young age?

Gini: There’s this phrase I use a lot—I collected skills like Pokemon while growing up. There were a lot of different things that I have tried. But somehow, I just kept coming back to music. I think around the age of 10, I had gone to my grandparents’ house and woke up in the morning wanting a guitar! My granddad got me a blue guitar.When I held it the first time, something felt right. I started playing the harmonium when I was six, guitar when I was 10, the piano when I was 15, and whatever other instruments I could get my hands on. Again, collecting instruments like Pokemon.

Then it occurred to me that I could combine the poetry that I had written earlier and the music I learned to play. And somehow I started turning my poetry into songs. It was fascinating how a story that I could tell seemed all the more interesting and alive through music.

HB: What kind of message do you want to give to your audience through your music?

G: To slow down—I only realised this after I moved to Mumbai. Life is really fast over here, nobody has the time to stop and stare at that one leaf on the ground of the park. It’s actually sad because everybody is so busy trying to take the next step. I would love my music to be a pause, a comma—one that allows you to escape, even if just for a moment, and look around a little bit. The message is simple:You don’t need to stop, but you can slow down a bit because it’s going to be a long journey, so might as well take your time and enjoy it a little bit more. I want it to be a patchwork quilt wherein all the patches are the experiences—of mine and others’ too. And I want this quilt to be warm enough to keep a person cozy on a winter morning.

HB: Most of your songs have a very nostalgic feel to it. How would you describe your music?

G: I have a really hard time trying to find descriptors for my music because I don't think about it while creating. Afterwards, I look at it and wonder how to categorise it. My music is raw, cinematic, and story-based.The lyrics are perhaps the most important aspect to me because writing has been such a huge factor in conveying stories.

HB: Top five songs on your playlist currently.

G: Exit Music (For a Film) by Radiohead, Misty (the Samara Joy version of it), Varajashree Venugopal’s Harivaa Jhari, How Much A Dollar Cost by Kendrick Lamar, and Chaar Kadam [from PK]. It’s a very interesting mix.

HB: What is the best advice you have received?

G: It’s a marathon, not a sprint—a friend told me this. You have ample time. Stop trying to fit everything into the shortest period of time possible because whatever you’re trying to achieve will happen. If you rush, you’ll find yourself exhausted and unable to enjoy. We have a long way to go.

HB: You mention moving homes a lot as a child. How did that environment shape your career path?

G: My father is in the Defence Services, and due to the nature of his job, we would move homes a lot. These homes were never in cities. It was always very rural, very culturally rich places. It would teach me a lot about the incredibly diverse cultures and languages of our country.The only thing that would remain consistent was music—there are only 12 notes. Moving around taught me how to learn on my own because I wasn’t able to get a teacher for anything since these weren’t urban settlements. I would often find myself surfing the internet for hours trying to learn how to play a particular song or read sheet music. I don’t think I’d be this independent if it wasn’t for the constant moving between cities.

HB: Any artist you turn to when creating?
G: The first names that come to my head are Kendrick Lamar, Swanand Kirkire, Jacob Collier, and Geeta Dutt. I don’t think one person can inspire you enough to create music.

HB: What’s next for Gini?
G: You never know, actually. I thought I was going to go to college, but that did not happen, and my life quite literally changed within a few weeks. I’m somebody who likes to believe in short-term goals. I cannot wait for the next chapter that life has in store for me.What’s next for sure is diversifying my sound.Also, play as much live music as I can because live is where I truly feel alive (pun intended). It’s a different feeling when I am on stage.

 

Lead image: Vishnu Nair

This piece originally appeared in the December print edition of Harper's Bazaar India

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