Georgia Lines Returns With Single / Video 'Monopoly' + Interview

2022 was a breakout year for Georgia Lines, who won the AMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year award, was a top 20 finalist for the Silver Scroll Award, hit number one on the Top 20 NZ Album chart with her debut Human EP and launched ongoing interview web series INTROS. The Tauranga-based songwriter today makes a big splash for Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa / NZ Music Month with her first single of 2023 'Monopoly', recorded with Finnish-US producer Jussi Ilmari Karvinen aka Jussifer (Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding and more).

Sparked by competitive board game memories and musically resonating with such touchstones as Prince, Haim and Michael Jackson, Georgia Lines dances up a storm in her hook-packed anthem's video — directed by Team Effort and made with support from NZ On Air. Joining Bic Runga on her Beautiful Collision 20th anniversary tour this July (details HERE), Georgia Lines kindly lifted the veil on the ideas bubbling through 'Monopoly', upcoming projects, and hinted at a debut album in the works. We hope you grabbed tickets for tonight's sold-out release show at Tāmaki's Big Fan — hit that play button and read our chat below...

Chris Cudby: Hi Georgia, congrats on your new single 'Monopoly' — which you've stated was sparked by a vivid childhood memory of playing the classic board game. Does the new song relate at all to your own experiences navigating within the sometimes quite competitive world of showbiz?

Georgia Lines: With music, I am learning that there is so much of this industry, and aspects of my job that are completely out of my control. What playlists a song gets, how a song is received, how many people turn up to my show, etc. I know those things seem trivial, but they can take up so much brain space trying to figure out how to solve the lack of ticket sales, or why a song didn’t get a playlist. Where I am at currently, is learning (underlining learning, as it’s a journey) that I can only control what I can control and the rest is up to everyone else. So in terms of how 'Monopoly' relates to my own experiences navigating the industry, as I kid I lost my mind and threw my toys out of the cot when I was doing so well playing the board game and somehow instantaneously managed to loose it all so quickly. Which is very relatable to how my inner child wants to react when things don’t go my way or how I would have hoped. So yes, there is a thread there… but I am learning to let go and focus on the things I can control and put my energy there. I’m finding that the perspective shift has been quite a game changer for stress management.

What was the process like making the new video with Team Effort?

The process was super fun! I always enjoy making videos, especially with the team of people I work with. I often work with a small, but wonderful team, which means that everyone often has to stretch outside of their ‘job description’ to help where needed, so it definitely is a massive team effort to pull it together. But, everyone that was on set for the new video was so kind, and willing to help out wherever needed, which makes the day less stressful and more enjoyable.

You had a hugely successful 2022 and 'Monopoly' is your first official single of 2023 — does it set the musical tone for the year to come? Do you have more releases with Jussifer on the cards, or is this a one-off?

I am so excited to have 'Monopoly' out in the world! It’s been brewing away for a little while. I am currently working on my album at the moment, which is full of different co-writes and collaborations with a handful of producers and writers. 'Monopoly' is currently the only one I have finished with Jussifer, however… I loved working with him and we worked really well together... so hopefully there are more sessions in the future.

You're touring with Bic Runga on her Beautiful Collision tour this July! What does Bic's music mean to you?

It is such a privilege to be a part of Bic’s tour! I am so so excited. Growing up, my parents would often play her album in the house… so it’s pretty awesome to have been asked to open the show for such a special tour.

How did you make the transition from artist to to interviewer with your INTROS series? Can we look forward to more episodes in the near future?

Firstly, yes! I hope that there are more episodes in the future. We have a couple more that we have already recorded up our sleeve that we are just finishing the edits on. Beyond that, we are looking for some funding/partnerships to grow INTROS so that it becomes a regular thing!

Mikee (my manager) and I came up with the idea of INTROS during lockdown. I couldn’t play any shows, and the ‘normal’ way of doing music, growing an audience and building momentum was pretty much non-existent. We felt like there was a massive gap for young artists / up and coming artists, who were writing and releasing incredible songs, but somehow were going un-noticed by a big chunk of people. Which is where INTROS was birthed.

I feel so deeply proud of what we have created, which has evolved into a safe space for female / non-binary artists to share their stories and their craft and talk about really important conversations.

'Monopoly' is out today on major streaming platforms via August Avenue.