Gia Woods breaks every rule. The 21-year-old queer Persian songstress can provoke one moment and comfort the next. Casting a striking and exotic presence, her undeniable sex appeal translates beyond music and into each performance and visual, while thoughtful songwriting and impressive instrumentation threads the vision together.

Enamoring the LGBTQ community out of the gate during 2015, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist now stands primed to become breakthrough talent in 2019. Her 2019 debut EP for Disruptor Records introduces a singular style representative of her enigmatic experience and bold persona.

“I really know what I want to say, and the songs fit my personality and what kind of artist I want to be,” she affirms. “I want people to listen to my music and feel empowered—like they can come to me for support. I want to represent for young adults growing up and figuring out who they want to be. I think I can be their voice.”

She certainly positioned herself to do so. Raised in a traditional Persian family, she gravitated towards music. She went from playing violin in school orchestra to learning piano, guitar, and drums. Rifling through her older sister’s music collection, she became obsessed with artists such as Madonna, Green Day, Björk, Prince, and Radiohead. A self-described “loner in school,” she spent countless hours playing guitar as a child before joining choir in senior year. Encouraged by a friend, the shy talent performed at a local open mic night and attracted management as a result. Choosing the moniker Gia Woods, she assumed a newfound confidence and charisma. “Gia” after iconic model Gia Carangi and “Woods” for “growing up in Hollywood,” she built a strangely soulful sound carried by the grit of her raspy delivery and organic instrumentation.

2015 saw her make headlines with the breakout “Only A Girl.” Not only did it generate millions of streams, plays, and 10 million views and counting and earn praise courtesy of Billboard, its cinematic video would also be her “coming out.” In the aftermath, she performed in front of thousands of people at LA Pride as her first-ever show.

“In my culture, people don’t come out to their families as quickly as I did,” she goes on. “They also typically don’t do music. The culture can be very closed off. The video was actually how my parents found out.”

As Gia quietly attracted a following, she wrote and sang on Matoma’s 2017 hit “Heart Won’t Forget,” which generated over 32 million Spotify streams. Along the way, she crafted her first proper body of work.  Embracing meditation throughout the process, she attained a deep level of clarity. It informed the likes of 2019 single “New Girlfriend.” Backed by handclaps and a funky strut, the track builds towards an immediately irresistible refrain as she croons, “I like your new girlfriend more than you.” Taking the reins, Gia steered the music video’s creative, handpicking the cast and upholding an unwavering vision.

She goes on, “There’s a playful attitude, but a lot of honesty as well.” 

Lead single “Jump The Fence” leaps off percussive snaps into a driving cadence during an energetic chant, so allow the anticipation to build as Gia continues to release music this year.

In the end, Gia tosses the rules out the window and arrives as the subversive voice pop music desperately needs, by simply being herself.

"My biggest thing is being genuine, and always being honest with who I am and what I’m about,” she leaves off. “There are so many people who put on a façade. "People need to be reminded to embrace themselves.”

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