Crash Test is out now!
Image: renata.jpg.
Eora/Sydney performer and songwriter Gia Darcy has shared her new EP, Crash Test. To celebrate the release, the singer is giving us a glimpse into all the work that went into creating the collection of songs.
“My EP, Crash Test, is the most personal body of work I've ever created, featuring five songs that each tell a different story from my life" she shares. "Each song captures a unique emotion and moment. One song deals with the grief of losing my grandma, while another is about the pure joy and love I have for my best friend. Two tracks dive into the anxiety and excitement of starting a new relationship, despite all the fears and uncertainties. The final song is about feeling broken after a relationship ended and questioning why someone would choose to hurt and use me like that… Musically, Crash Test blends pop, indie, and singer-songwriter vibes, reflecting the variety of emotions and stories in the EP. Each song is designed to evoke a specific mood and take listeners on a journey through my personal experiences, hoping to resonate with anyone who’s faced similar highs and lows in their own lives.”
This is a selfie I took on the plane to America. A trip I decided to take in order to finish my EP. I wrote two out of the five songs on this trip. At this moment I couldn’t believe I made it happen. I booked 3 Sofar shows, countless sessions and I was flying half way across the world to help make my dreams come true. Big step but it majorly paid off.
The day we shot the cover of Next Life, I had a clear vision in mind. I wanted to recreate an image I’d seen where a second pair of arms appeared to embrace me, almost as if a friend was there in that moment giving me a hug. But as it often goes, sometimes the execution doesn’t match the idea. We had to pivot, and that’s where having an incredibly talented team makes all the difference. My photographer, Renata, came up with the brilliant idea to incorporate a mirror, and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. It’s a great reminder that no matter how much you plan, sometimes you have to stay open to new ideas and be willing to adapt in the moment. I’m so proud of the final photo we chose for the cover! This one here was one of our earlier attempts that didn’t quite work out—just a fun little behind-the-scenes moment!
This photo was taken on the final listen through of Crash Test. Listening back to a finished song in the studio is always such a euphoric feeling. Walking in with a very basic voice-memo of a sketch of a song and leaving with a 3-4 minute fully produced track that captures your deepest emotions is an incredible feeling. Songwriting and creating music takes a lot of hard work, but hearing the final product makes every moment worth it.
This photo captures a really special night when my friends and I recorded the Spotify canvas for Next Life. Pictured with me are my two best friends from high school, Allie and Georgia. We’ve been through so much together, and that night was a beautiful opportunity to reflect on all the incredible moments we’ve shared—the mischief, the fun, and the unforgettable experiences that have shaped our friendship over the years. It was a night filled with laughter and nostalgia, celebrating the bond that has only grown stronger with time.
For the Crash Test shoot, I had the pleasure of working with the incredible Holly Rayner on hair and makeup. My vision for this shoot was to embody empowerment and strength, reflecting the idea that no matter what challenges come my way, I will survive and thrive. The hair and makeup played a huge role in bringing this concept to life. I drew inspiration from Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, specifically her long blonde braids, which I feel symbolise strength and resilience. We wanted to channel that fierce energy, using the braids as a powerful visual statement of endurance and power.
The final track on my EP, 'In The Next Room,' is dedicated to my grandmother Jan, who I lost last year. We lived together for over six years, and even after she passed, I continued living in the apartment we shared. The emptiness left by her absence was deeply felt. Jan had a profound influence on both my life and my music. She was always eager to hear about my latest studio sessions and was the first person I’d talk to after every gig.
This is a behind the scenes look at the Nice Things shoot. The main lyric of the song is “why can’t I let myself have nice things” so my concept was to be holding a very aesthetically pleasing ice cream cone and letting it drip down my hand, as if I’m not allowing myself to have it. In order to help with the dripping my beautiful Aunty stood there with a hair dryer to speed up the process.
This is a photo of me recording the first pass of vocals for Nice Things in LA. I walked into the studio not knowing either of the co-writers, but after sharing my life story and my emotions in that moment, we came out with gold.
Crash Test is out now!
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