Artist Interview: Indi the Giant
Meet Indi the Giant, an emerging force in the Australian music scene. In just two short years, Indi has captivated audiences with her raw and deeply personal lyrics, sharing her journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery. We'll be diving into the heart of her creative process, the stories behind her music, and the vibrant community that has helped shape her sound.
Tori: Your lyrics are often raw and emotional. What is the most challenging part of being so vulnerable in your music, and how do you find the courage to share those deeply personal stories of addiction, pain, and recovery?
Indi: It's really scary. I think a part of me needs to express myself in this dramatic way because I struggle to find the words in conversation; if I lay it all out in my music, then I have said all I need to say. I also do it because I know someone else feels the same, and maybe I can help them.
Tori: Can you tell us more about the emotional journey that inspired your single, "I tore the fabric," and what it means to you?
Indi: Yeah, this one is personal. It's the fourth track on my EP “Amateur Hours Pt. II” and marks a turning point in my journey of recovery. My addiction was a really lonely battle; no one in my family or circle is or was an addict, so I went through everything in isolation. Then, my recovery began when I started expanding my life spiritually. No one in my family or circle was deeply spiritual either - I grew up surrounded by atheists. I felt conflicted because I came to believe in a power that really began to help and heal me, you know, I was torn, but I know I needed to stick to this to stay alive.
Tori: Your EP, Amateur Hours pt. II, is a five-track collection that explores themes of tension and release. Can you walk us through the creative and emotional arc of the EP, from the first track to the last?
Indi: Music entered my life as I got sober, so the EP directly correlates with that journey. The story goes, "things are bad → things are worse → oh God I am sick of this → wait a minute - there might be a way out → I have found peace."
Some songs, like “Merry-Go-Round” and “The Ghost,” were written literally one month into making music. Writing them was almost hypnotic. Songs like “Lost Minds (Bluey)” came about towards the end, when I felt like I had more to say and finally dared to say it.
Tori: You've collaborated with a number of talented producers like Pilot Kid, Chasm, Bluetounge, and Griz on your EP. How do these collaborations shape your sound, and what do you look for in a producer?
Indi: I got some of these beats from Beatstars because I wasn't in the music community when I started, so I would scroll through the app until I found something that stuck. But thankfully, I began to meet producers and work with them, so the beats by Chasm and Bluey are people I know. Honestly, I am not fussy with producers. If I like the beat, I will write on it. Simple as that. I am working with a lot of producers at the moment; the idea of closing myself off to people or experiences scares me, so I refuse to do it.
Tori: What's your process like when you're writing a new song? Do the boom-bap beats or the soulful melodies come to you first, or does it all happen at once?
Indi: It all happens at once! It just comes to me, I’m lucky like that.
Tori: You've quickly made a name for yourself in just two years. What has been the most surprising part of your rapid rise in the Australian music scene?
Indi: The love and the friendships. God, I love the underground scene. I absolutely adore jam sessions and freestyle open mics - I had no idea that they existed, but improvised music has found a real place in my heart. I am so blessed to have made so many friends through music. I genuinely haven’t met one person who didn't want to see others express themselves. It's so easy to get in your head with this stuff, but being surrounded by other artists makes it so much easier. I have realized that there are freestyle sessions all across the country, so I just want to keep going and meet more and more people.
Tori: Why is community so important to you as an artist, and how has it influenced your work?
Indi: It is EVERYTHING to me as an artist. I love the community. My music creation process is similar to how I get a tattoo - I bring my own inspiration and ideas, and the tattoo artist brings their own vision. We combine the two to create something truly unique.
It’s also magical having a shared passion to bond over. Everyone is there because of their love of music, so it's kind of the best icebreaker. All the shows I have gotten, I have gotten through my music, and all the songs I make now, I make with friends. The connection feels spiritual. There is so much love in community.
Tori: You've performed at a number of open mic events across Sydney and Melbourne. How have these experiences, from a finalist at "Pass the Mic" to performing at "Monday Jam at Marble Bar," helped you hone your skills and grow as a performer?
Indi: I was scared of my own voice at the start of my journey. I held the mic so far away from my face so no one could hear me, but they all said, “You were great - we just had no idea what you were saying.” I became obsessed with open mics pretty quickly, and they really helped me develop. Weirdly enough, the trick to freestyling is not to think about it. Going to these events and seeing others do it made me realize I need to let go to find my flow. I got loved back to life in the music scene. I could barely speak when I started coming, but they helped me find my voice.
Tori: What was it like to blend your styles with Katana and Threatnique on that track "777"?
Indi: So much fun, omg. They are both great friends. Katana and I were just yapping away about boys and astrology while Threatnique chopped away at making a beat. Then, after 2 hours, the beat was ready. We kept the wavelength going and made a song about it. It was such an easy process; we really made magic in an afternoon.
Tori: How does your music serve as a form of self-expression, and what do you hope listeners take away from that?
Indi: I literally cannot make sense of my feelings until I put them into a song. It's a transcendental experience for me. Something moves through me, and I am able to see things for what they are at that moment. I used to not think I was an angry person, but then I wrote raps that were furious. I used to think I wasn't emotional, but my music is deeply emotional. Music is a form of self-expression for myself as much as it is for others. It reveals me to me, so I hope it reveals me to others too.
Tori: What does the "Amateur Hours" concept represent to you?
Indi: This is just the start! I am not perfect, nor am I trying to be.
Tori: What artists or life experiences have been the biggest influences on your unique blend of alternative rap and soulful melodies?
Indi: Mac Miller & Little Simz are my all-time favorites. I love how they just get to the point yet say so much. I also love how playful they are with their lyrics.
Tori: What advice would you give to another emerging artist who is just starting their journey in the music industry?
Indi: Just go for it. Closed mouths don’t get fed. No one is looking at you as much as you are looking at yourself. You have to be bad to be good. If not now, when?
Tori: What does the term "Personal Success" mean to you, and what kind of legacy do you hope to create with your music?
Indi: Personal success to me is a life of connection and creation. I hope people can look back on my music and see a life well lived. On a more personal note, I hope I stay clean & sober for the rest of my life (one day at a time).
Tori: What are you most excited about for the future, now that your first single "I Tore the Fabric" is out and your EP is on the way?
Indi: I just want to have something out in to the world so I can move onto the next! I wrote this EP over a year ago and feel like I have already evolved so much. I am so grateful for the experience, and I cannot wait to continue to evolve.
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