Written by The Punk Darling for Mizery Magazine

In an exclusive interview GOLDI tells us about her latest singles, inspiration, feminism and the future of her music!

  • Thank you for your time. I’m so glad you’re our first artist to be interviewed and featured in Mizery Magazine. A couple of months ago you released your newest single ‘Issues and Tattoos’, how did you come up with the concept for it?

I’m stoked to be your first interviewee! “Issues & Tattoos” was inspired by the idea that being a “crazy” girl isn’t a bad thing. It’s a celebration of chaotic relationships and appreciating that significant other who might make you go a little nuts, but also makes sure you’ll never be bored. I hate the negative stereotype that gets tossed around when it comes to having the “crazy” girlfriend. I really wanted this to be the type of song you’d play for someone when you wanna say “yeah, I’m a wild ride, but I’ll be an amazing partner to you.” It’s flirtatious while simultaneously owning up to all your most outrageous flaws. Like, “you ready to have some fun? strap in”. And yes, before you ask - this song is very autobiographical.

  • Why did you choose to perform under the name Goldie as opposed to your normal name?

Goldie is actually my real name! Only problem with that is, apparently a lot of artists go by that alias. I never really saw myself as the kind of artist who would go by another name, I feel like my music is too much a part of my real self to be released under any other pseudonym. So I played with the spelling until I settled on “GLDI”, which I now really love. It does make asking Siri to play my music a little unideal. She only responds when you tell her to play “Gee-Elle-Dee-Eye” .

  • How old were you when you decided that making music was what you wanted to do?

I’ve been obsessed, really obsessed, with music since birth. My family tells me I started singing along to disney melodies before I could form full words. I’ve never been good at filtering myself, and as a kid I guess I used to sing at the top of my lungs in public, like, loudly and uncontrollably. You can imagine my parents’ embarrassment trying to lovingly shush me. Eventually they enrolled me in summer performance camps just to give me an outlet - I think they hoped that would get the public performance-outbursts out of my system. It kind of did, in the sense that from the performances I did there, I started landing opportunities to perform more professionally. By the time I turned 13 I was performing internationally and I got signed to a major label. I’m no longer signed, but the experience I got while working with a label pushed me to where I am today. Now I’m working as a totally independent artist and I love it. But honestly, if you had asked me when I was 5 what I was going to be when I grew up, even though I loved music I’d have told you that what I really wanted was to be an astronaut. Life is funny like that. Sometimes I think our passion chooses us, and not the other way around.

 

  • What´s the creative process like for you?

I want to tell this story of how I gain inspiration from all these poetic places, and process it into creative gold. I think a lot of artists feel pressured to say that because I think it’s kinda what people want to hear. But the truth is? I’m just miserable unless I’m making something out of the experiences I’m taking in. I mentioned how age 13 is when things kind of took off for me. It was at that age I really started to conceptualize that this is what I wanted to do with ALL my time. From there, music became a compulsion instead of a passion. I compulsively create because I can’t NOT create. My experiences and how I perceive the world around me is the inspiration I draw from. Partly because I just love the idea that someone can take a really bad situation and make something out of it.

  • We love that you´re not afraid to speak out about issues that women have. What was driving force behind your song ‘Quit it’?

Thank you! I can’t help but notice the struggle women go through on a daily basis, and it makes me angry. “Quit It” was born out of a desire to say out loud all the things I didn’t get to say to people who don’t respect females boundaries. I also had an uncomfortable personal experience that inspired the song. I don’t think the music industry has experienced it’s own version of a MeToo movement, but there is definitely a need for that to happen. I had an experience like that and it really kind of jaded me in terms of how I thought about the music scene. I took a break but when I started making music again, that wound was still kind of fresh. The day I wrote “Quit It” I came into the studio still trying to bury a lot of anger about that whole situation. Luckily, the creators I was working with that day could tell I was in need of some songwriting therapy, and instead of taking my mood personally or letting it affect our time together, they really encouraged me to write out what I was feeling. “Quit It” was the result. I’m thankful that they gave me the gift of helping me channel that bad energy into something positive and empowering. “Quit It” was written for every girl who’s ever had to go through something similar -the unwanted advance, that d*ck pic you didn’t ask for, exes who behaved vengefully when they got friendzoned, coworkers who crossed a line…Quit it is “no means NO”. That’s what that song is all about.

  • What is the inspiration behind your music videos? They tend to be violent, yet artistic.

This is a huge compliment! I’m really fulfilled knowing that you got this experience out of these videos. Thank you. The funny thing? I’ve honestly always kind of wanted to be a mainstream pop artist, who makes much more “clean” and even kinda cute, kawaii videos. But in practice, I think my most authentic self is a little too volatile - or yeah, violent - for that. I have an edge to my personality and my mentality that naturally makes my music different in that way. I used to try to change that about myself to try to fit a mold. But then I found other people who were hungry for that kind of edge and it really encouraged me to embrace that energy. From there it just bled into my music. Now, I feel like that edginess is the most valuable thing I can offer listeners. That’s partly how I shifted to making dark-pop, or punk-pop; it wasn’t a conscious shift, but when I took time off to find myself I realized this vibe is who I really am. I try to communicate that vibe in my videos because my hope is that I’ll create an outlet for other women who feel similarly “hushed”. The world is diverse and we don’t have to behave or fit the stereotypes others push on us.

  • Are you looking to start directing your own videos in the future?

“Issues & Tattoos” was a concept I had a very active hand in executing but I have to give credit where credit is due. It would not have been possible to make those visuals without Sonny and Angel (@_o93c and @del.cx). They’re FIRE. I can always call them with a very specific idea and they’ll find a way to execute it beautifully with their directions and editing. It’s artists like them that are the reason I love collaboration - sometimes it takes that outside perspective to execute an idea in a really dope way. That said, yes - I plan to have an even more active hand in all my visuals while I continue to grow as an artist.

  • After taking a year off to take care of your mental health you came back to release music. How has your style of music changed or evolved during that time? Which artists inspired you to keep going?

Taking that time off was huge. It’s discouraged in the music scene, there’s always this pressure to never stop, just go-go-go. But giving myself that space to breathe gave me time I needed to get back in touch with what inspires me. In my downtime I found that what excites me most in music right now is the resurgence that’s happening with “dark” pop or alternative pop. For a long time it felt like that sound was out of fashion but I’m sooo glad to see it make a comeback. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my first EP and everything I make is a part of me so I never feel like anything from my past is unauthentic just because I progress beyond what my last song or EP was built around. But taking that time off really inspired me to get back in touch with my Alt side and it was almost like I’d been waiting for that sound to come out again. When I got back in the studio that alternative sound came out so naturally. I’m stoked with how “Issues & Tattoos” came out as a result of that. It feels the most “me” I’ve been in a long time.

  • Your new sound fits your voice perfectly, what was it like for you working on this more rock infused sound and will we be hearing more of it?

Thank you! This sound put me back in touch with a creative part of myself that has always been present but was sort of in hiding for a while. I’m extremely excited about the new music I’m making. You’ll definitely be hearing more of that same sound in the next few months. My single “Sex Is Cool” is coming out on March 11. If you liked “Issues & Tattoos” I feel like you’re gonna love it. It’s about ruining your ex’s life.

  • You haven’t announced any live shows yet, will your fans be able to see you live soon?

I used to perform all the time and I desperately miss the stage. I had to stop performing live for a while, partly because of covid. I don’t wanna speak too soon but yes, I have plans for playing out again soon. I’ll announce updates on my Instagram and TikTok.

  • What should we expect from you in the future, an EP or even album?

Definitely wanna release a full album, but right now I’m really focused on my EP which is dropping later this year. Whatever happens I will always strive to create the best, most meaningful music I can for those who want to listen.