Gia Ford Observes, Narrates, and Leaves Room
Gia Ford is about to release her debut album, “Transparent Things,” an album filled with observations and storytelling. But her real name is Molly McCormick. To what extent does Gia Ford reflect the personal life of Molly? A lovely conversation to explore that, together with the 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Sheffield, England.
She seems relaxed, whether she’s Molly or Gia. This time with a blonde look, but that’s always a surprise. She refers to “Transparent Things” as her debut. ‘I’ve made two EPs before, but I didn’t know what I wanted back then. With “Transparent Things,” it’s different. I had the Sound City Studios in LA at my disposal. I had a band and session musicians. Plus, I had a fantastic producer in Tony Berg.’ Indeed, ‘not bad’: a studio where one of her major inspirations, Fleetwood Mac, had worked, and the producer behind artists like Phoebe Bridgers. And immediately, a new, big label: Chrysalis. ‘I had played showcases, and they were interested. Through them, I also got to work with Tony Berg.’ And it clicked well. ‘I deliberately went into the studio without a fixed plan. I also wanted to use the ideas of others, from the guitarist, Conor Houston, and certainly from Tony. He often has surprising perspectives and discoveries.’
A few singles from “Transparent Things” have already dropped, immediately highlighting Molly’s versatility. ‘The album now gives those tracks context. You also hear the balance in my music, with both the light and dark shades.’ Shades that fit well with her songs, like “Our Mutual Friend,” the closing track of the album. ‘It’s about my grandmother, who had just passed away. The song ends with the line ‘Until we meet again.’ So, those are also the last words of the album. Fitting for the situation, and also that I’ll be back with more music in the future.’
This direct and fairly literal style is unique for Molly. ‘True, I don’t often write about myself. I prefer to tell stories where I create the characters. I can relate to them, and usually, I also have sympathy for the other person. So, in a way, it’s also a bit about myself… And when the songs become personal, I like to hide behind metaphors, like in “Paint Me Like A Woman,” or “Alligator”:
“I’m an alligator – Downtown, the water is rising – A navigator and I’ll sail, sail away.”’
So, it’s not always easy to discover the person Molly in Gia Ford’s songs. And she’s fine with that. ‘If you have a certain connection or feeling with my songs, does it matter if it’s me? It’s about your experience. I don’t put a message in it or anything.’
Time to dive deeper into Molly McCormick’s life. By listening closely to the music of her alter ego Gia Ford. And trying to uncover her influences. Like the album’s title, “Transparent Things.” ‘That’s also the title of a book by Vladimir Nabokov. My songs are often about the outcasts, the people on the fringes of society. They are barely visible to the world. For the title, I was looking for words like invisible or transparent. Then I came across Nabokov’s book at home. It’s about the secret life of the protagonist. That fit perfectly with my songs. They’re also about secret feelings and desires.’ It’s no coincidence that she turns to literature or poetry. ‘I love to read, and it inspires me. I like to be in another world for a while. And then you see things from a different perspective… Music is a feeling you can’t describe, right? A poem has that too, without you being able to put your finger on it.’ At the next question, she laughs, almost shy but excited… ‘Yes, you’re right: I would indeed like to write a book someday.’
The music world also brings Molly (or is it Gia?) plenty of inspiration. A lot because her taste is broad. One of them is Fleetwood Mac. ‘Especially Stevie Nicks is a huge inspiration. It’s her voice, but also her songwriting. She writes real stories. Often about real people, but often mythical as well. That’s what I like to do myself. Christine McVie wrote more about real life, about love. That’s a step further. I’m not quite there yet.’ Other influences? ‘Nick Cave, another storyteller, wonderfully dark and macabre. I feel the same way about PJ Harvey. And then, of course, there’s Kate Bush, ‘I love Kate Bush,’ such a storyteller as well. And in recent years, I’ve also discovered Joni Mitchell. That imagination, like in a painting. And maybe you wouldn’t expect it, but I also love Massive Attack and Portishead. That typical, almost mystical atmosphere.’
The word storytelling comes up regularly, especially when it comes to observing others. ‘I always wanted to be a psychologist. I’m interested in people and why they are the way they are. In high school, I even had an obsession with serial killers. I’m just fascinated by people who are different from me. I often talk about outcasts. Or about people who behave remarkably.’ For example, “Falling In Love Again” is about a man mourning his deceased wife and then asking his new partner to wear the clothes of the deceased… Or “Paint Me Like A Woman”: a woman who feels like she’s becoming a villain herself because she’s been abused by men in her life. ‘But actually, all people are interesting to me. Everyone has multiple sides. And we’re constantly influencing each other. Often, we even put on a temporary mask only to take it off later.’ And that’s something she also experiences with films. ‘Yes, David Lynch, of course, that atmosphere. Not just in his films, but also in his music and TV series. I love it.’
And then, perhaps (unfortunately) a more challenging point, even in 2024… She’s very open in her personal life and music about her love for women. Does that influence her music? Does she feel any pressure from the community to do something with it? ‘No, I don’t think about it. Only in marketing, it’s useful to make my sexual preference clear. But I don’t feel the need to talk about it. It’s just who I am. I don’t feel any pressure or anything, but if I could do something for the community, yes, I would do it. But I’m not an activist. It’s already very powerful to be myself, to be able to be myself. That says a lot about what has been achieved. I’m allowed to be who I am, and I can talk about it. That’s wonderful, I think.’
Molly radiates satisfaction. Satisfied with her new album, “Transparent Things,” her real debut. And with the psychological analysis of the creator, her musical alter ego Gia Ford. Who loves good storytelling, sometimes mystical, but always about people. People she wants to understand, with or without a mask. Meanwhile, she shields herself a bit under a blanket of metaphors. Gia Ford observes, narrates, and leaves some space. And she does it damn well.
Photos (c) Katie Malcolmson (live) & Melanie Lehmann
