George VILLA on his debut EP ‘Empty Pockets’
With a fusion of elements between indie rock, soul, reggae, pop, and psychedelic, George Villa brings chill, mellow atmospheres with a dreamy underlying groove, raw delivery, and infectiously cheeky tone with this latest project.
Hey George, thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us! First of all, we'd love to know about your musical journey from when you first started singing & making music?
Thank you! Heaps of my family’s pretty into music so it wasn’t long before I started trying to write and make songs. I started busking pretty young to save up for instruments and things and eventually in high school started releasing some home recordings up on SoundCloud and Spotify under a solo project alongside a band ‘Casper’ that me and a few mates put together. We started playing more and more and I just fell deeper in love with the whole process and playing so I decided to dive fully in after school birthing George VILLA.
Congrats on your debut EP 'Empty Pockets' - we love your distinctive surf-rock-inspired sound! How did you land on the name of the EP, and what are the main themes you delve into in this project?
Thanks so much! Stoked to finally have it out. The title is a lyric from the intro track ‘Divine’ but I felt it encapsulated the time putting the full project together. I moved out of my parents a few years back and headed to Welly where the project was born before moving to Auckland, trying to do music full time in between lockdowns and saving for gear with rent and everything sucks. With the bank account dried up I was living as cheap as possible mainly on cheese toasties and 2 minute noodles while my homie Sean even battled it out in the lounge to get our rent down haha. Lyrically it follows that sort of space but also excitement and new environments which felt like stepping into the world for the first time. Building new relationships and dealing with the rush of everything.
Haha I think a lot of us can relate to the cheese toasties/2 minute noodles phase of life! What were your artistic influences going into this project?
Heading into this project I was very experimental and trying different sounds before getting to a place which is now ‘Empty Pockets’. We were really trying to make something fresh and unique. I was listening to a bunch of 50s/60s soul through to King Krule, Mac Miller, Bob Dylan etc. It was important to keep it pretty classic but revamp it with a modern twist.
'Running Free' is a fun summer tune with a dreamy underlying groove! Can you tell us a bit about the concept of this track?
‘Running Free’ came from a sunny day last year - my flatmates were out at work so I grabbed a couple beers and tried to put together a nice summer jam! Finished up the demo and showed a couple mates who rated it! Then took it to Dave Hammer who helped clean it up! The songs about a someone who’s out of your league and caught up in that world. “She thinks that I’m a loser, but at least I’m running free” - not letting others get to ya, sussing yourself and moving at your own pace.
Incredible! Plus, you've got two songs on this EP that we absolutely love featuring local legend Rhys Rich - ‘Addicted’ and ‘Denim Jeans’. How did these collaborations come about?
So lucky to have Rhys on two of the tracks! One of the most talented people I know - we actually met for a session and wrote ‘Denim Jeans’ that day! Both became good mates and felt the mix went quite well together so we ended up putting a bunch more together with Neil MacLeod in Wellys, which hopefully one day will see the light!
Amazing, fingers crossed! What were your main highlights working on this EP?
Had such an amazing time putting it together and had some awesome people helping out. I got to spend about a week recording in Sydney last year which was crazy! Putting together the visual side of things (vinyl, videos, cover art etc) has been super fun too. Hyped to be heading into the live realm of things and the first couple shows have been sick!
And you've just supported Summer Thieves on some shows and about to open for Australian outfit South Summit very soon! What part of performing live is most exciting for you?
Stoked to be on the line up with some great acts! A lot of the recording/writing process is just me alone in my bedroom so it’s always fun to have a little mish with the boys, bringing the songs to the live stage and giving new life and energy to them is such a good feeling. Always good meeting others trying to do the same thing and being able to connect with an audience in person!
Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you especially love?
Of course Rhys Rich who has just released a crazy EP, also my good mates Frank on Tap who have an insane EP coming later this year. Benji’s Palace ‘I Know, I Dont’ and JosiahXVI ‘The Heart’s Timeline’ have been on repeat!
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far?
Sometimes it’s hard to breathe when you’re constantly wanting to create and feeling the pressure from within. I get super stuck writing new things but feeling it’s not finished haha, it’s a constant roll and you gotta keep grinding but being true to yourself and stoked with what your making is all that’ll get ya through good. Things take time and you gotta remember you’re at your own pace in life :)
Lastly, we end every interview with this question - if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?
Be nice! Whatever you’re trying to do, the most important asset is the people around you and where your head’s at! Take time out for yourself when needed and show love to all!
Thanks so much George! Make sure to keep up with him on Instagram, Spotify or Apple Music.
