Georgia Parker: Shaping Sounds and Stories Across Continents

In the ever-evolving landscape of music, few artists manage to carve out a space that feels both intimately personal and universally resonant. Georgia Parker is one such artist. Born and raised in Kent, England, she began her songwriting journey at the tender age of 13, driven by a desire to create music that spoke to her heart when existing songs felt just out of reach. Her path took a transformative turn when she moved to the United States at 18, exposing her to a rich tapestry of musical influences that would shape her sound. From the haunting melodies of Jeff Buckley to the lyrical depth of Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette, Parker's artistry is a beautiful amalgamation of her inspirations, each note echoing her growth and emotional depth.

Georgia’s recent work, including her latest album "Same Time Tomorrow," showcases her evolution as an artist and her commitment to vulnerability in songwriting. With an impressive ability to forge connections through her relatable lyrics, she creates a space where listeners can reflect on their own experiences while being enveloped in her emotive performances. Georgia's journey is not just about music; it’s about storytelling and exploring the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery. In this interview, we dive into the evolution of her songwriting, the influences that have shaped her artistry, and the deeply personal narratives that resonate within her work. Join us as we explore Georgia Parker’s captivating world, where each song is a story waiting to be told and each performance a heartfelt connection waiting to unfold.

Nicolle: Georgia, you began writing music at the early age of 13. How did your songwriting evolve from those early years to where you are now, and what influences shaped that journey?

Georgia: In the early years of my songwriting, the main drive for it was other songs being too hard to learn; so I began making up my own. Over time this became my favourite thing in the world to do and as I practiced inevitably the song became slightly better. I drew a lot of inspiration from whoever I was listening to at the time and began trying to be more intentional about studying why I liked certain songs or artists. Notable influences in my teen years include Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Emily King and Crosby Stills Nash & Young.

Nicolle: Your move from Kent to the US at 18 must have been a significant transition. How has living and performing in the States influenced your music and artistic perspective?

Georgia: Moving to the US at 18 was a more jarring experience than I expected - the differences in culture and humour are maybe easiest to recognise as a teenager. Being further from home than many of my peers made me feel hyper-independent (for both better and worse) and made its way into my music. I have loved living and performing in the States; I was introduced to more American songwriters and performers from being here, some of whom have become my true favourites. 

Nicolle: Your vocal performances are often described as powerful and emotive. How do you approach translating your emotions into your vocal delivery, and what role does vulnerability play in that process?

Georgia: I think I love music mostly for the emotional effect it has on me. I was not always aware my vocal delivery was particularly ‘emotive,’ it’s just how connected to whatever I am singing.  

Nicolle: You’ve drawn comparisons to legends like Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette. How do you feel about these comparisons, and how do these artists inspire or influence your work?

Georgia: Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morrisette are two artists that I love - those comparisons feel like the best compliments I could get. I’ve spent a lot of time learning Joni’s songs and admiring her guitar work - I think I relate to the angst and emotion in Alanis’ voice most.

Nicolle: Your EP, "I Think I Know," has garnered significant attention with over 150,000 streams. What was the creative process behind this EP, and how does it differ from your previous work?

Georgia: I put this EP out in 2021 and have since taken it down from streaming services. I’m still proud of many of the songs on that EP and re-released one song ‘Caroline’ on my album ‘Same Time Tomorrow’. I made that EP over the pandemic so it was in some ways a lonesome creative process and just felt I could represent my artistry more effectively after the fact.

Nicolle: "Did You Get the Feeling?" has been praised for raising the bar in terms of originality and lyricism. Can you share the story behind this single and what you hope listeners take away from it?

Georgia: The story behind this song is about someone I had had a crush on, but hadn’t seen in a long time. I had wondered about a specific moment the last time we saw each other where it felt like he might feel the same as me. The title ‘Did You Get The Feeling?’ is meant to encapsulate that idea.

Nicolle: You’ve cited Folk and Indie influences like Adrienne Lenker, Jeff Buckley, and Phoebe Bridgers. What is it about these artists that resonate with you, and how do their influences manifest in your own music?

Georgia: I have admired Adrianne Lenker’s unique and beautiful guitar parts, as well as her lyricism for a long time. I think she is truly unique. I love Phoebe Bridgers's lyricism and unique production - her sonic world has been my favourite since Punisher came out. Jeff Buckley’s musicianship was just out of this world, and I loved the emotion in his performances. Watching videos of his live performances feels cathartic even on a screen.

Nicolle: Your lyrics are described as simple yet profound, often drawing from personal experiences and trauma. How do you balance the intimacy of your narrative with creating something that resonates universally with your listeners?

Georgia: I would love to become braver with what I share in my music - I love honest lyricism and as long as it feels unnecessarily hyper-specific I think it can be valuable. But, writing and editing, writing and editing etc. 

Nicolle: You’ve been noted for forging meaningful connections with your listeners through your relatable lyrics. How important is it for you to maintain that connection, and how do you achieve it in your songwriting?

Georgia: I think honesty in my lyricism is the best way for me to achieve a connection.

Nicolle: You have a new album out called Same Time Tomorrow that came out only a few days ago, what was working on it like? 

Georgia: The album took three years to make and release - it was sometimes a painful process but I love these songs and am proud of where they ended up. I wrote most of the songs by myself and worked with just one principal producer which I’m grateful for.

Nicolle: Looking forward, what can fans expect from your future releases, and how do you see your sound and lyrical themes evolving as you continue to share your life and experiences through music?

Georgia: I’m hoping to not wait too long before my next release schedule; I’m aiming for a sound that feels contrasting to Same Time Tomorrow but that’s all I can say with confidence. 

You can stream Same Time Tomorrow here and follow Georgia´s journey here.

Thank you again so much, Georgia for taking time out of your busy schedule.

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Nicolle Knapova is a 30-year-old young adult writer and freelance blogger from the Czech Republic. She has a master’s degree in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University. She loves to write about music, books and TV shows. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.