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PREMIERE: Georgia VanNewkirk “Blue Velvet”

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Georgia VanNewkirk released her second single “Blue Velvet” today and got to chatting with us on how she initially kept music a secret.

What is the story behind your new song “Blue Velvet”?
The story of “Blue Velvet” is the story of how I fell in love. It details the first time I met my love, the day he asked me to be with him, and the day I knew I loved him. The song is about my journey of succumbing to my feelings and allowing myself to truly give my heart away. I’m not the best at sharing my feelings directly, so cloaking love in a blue velvet metaphor is my way of saying I love you.


You’ve previously been a costume assistant. What was that experience like?
Being a costume assistant was one of the best experiences of my life. The movie was filmed in a small town called Natchez, Mississippi so I lived there for two months by myself. I worked from 8-8 everyday running errands, organizing clothing, and assisting on set. I thought that living in an unfamiliar place would be terrifying, but working the hours I did with the people I did, made the time fly by. I felt that I was a part of some fantastic bigger picture, and working under Tate Taylor, a legendary director, ensured that the set was always full of energy. I learned so much from my superiors, gained valuable experience on a movie set, and gained so many friendships that I will always cherish.

Why didn’t you tell anyone you were going to pursue music?
I didn’t tell anyone I was going to pursue music because in the great words of Lil Wayne, “real G’s move in silence like lasagna.” I was not really sure where my music career would go so I kept my head down and continued to work all day, and then would go home and write songs all night. I was hired to do a task regardless of my outside passions, so I figured that when the time came, I would bring it up. Until then, I was going to work as hard as I could and prove that I was the most helpful costume assistant they could have ever asked for.


What has their reaction to your music been?
I mentioned before that I kept my music pursuit quiet while working on location in Mississippi, but I did partake in karaoke one night with the crew. Tate hosted a karaoke contest at a local bar and offered some grand prize for the winner of the contest. This was only about a week into the shoot, and I only knew a few of my superiors in the costume department. I reluctantly went to the contest after persuasion from my mom and decided to sing “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. I was so nervous I don’t even remember signing half the song, but when I finished, people were cheering and standing. I was so shocked that anyone had even listened. The next day on set, different people from each department would come up throughout the day and we would bond over our love for Stevie Nicks, or how pretty the sunset was over the Mississippi River. Singing that song was the reason I made friends, and it helped me feel so much less alone. When I told a few people I had grown close to that I made music, no one was shocked and everyone was incredibly supportive.

Can we expect an album or an EP in the near future?
YES, you can expect an album or EP in the near future! I am smiling as I type this because I get so BEYOND excited when I think about this project. I am such a conceptual person so I really want the album to take you on the glowing emotional journey that I have been writing about for the past year.

What is a typical secession with The Moon Brothers like?
A typical session with the Moon Brothers is truly an experience. I call Dan and Mike my music “gurus” because they are so knowledgeable and have such calming energy, that I truly feel like I am in a meditation session, not recording music. Dan is an amazing vocal mentor and is always pushing me to try new things to enhance each song even more. Mike is a production master and never fails to cultivate my vision with a beat, a synth pad and a one of a kind slide guitar section. Dan and Mike always enter each session with respect for me and all of my wild ideas, and I am honored to be able to record with such legends.

Do you have any inspirations your listeners might find surprising?
An inspiration my listeners might find surprising is the inspiration I gain while driving. I live in Savannah, Georgia and my family and loved ones live in Charleston, South Carolina. This is only about a two-hour drive, but this journey has always held significance in my life. I am either excited on the way there, or melancholy to be leaving on the drive home. Two hours of uninterrupted alone time allows for a lot of reflection, and most of my songs have started while driving my little white Prius and humming a melody into the voice memo app on my phone.

What is your biggest goal career-wise?
My biggest goal career-wise is to make music that helps people feel like they are not alone. I know this answer is incredibly vague, but it is the overarching theme I always consider. Often times musicians are so wrapped up in the lights, plays, and glory that the real goal becomes blurred. I want to continuously remain focused on my purpose, making music about real emotions, and hopefully reaching others who feel the same. This entire journey started with me turning to music as a way to comprehend the way I was feeling, and if I can provide an outlet for others to process their inner-most thought, I will be beyond fulfilled.

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