Many artists have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, especially with the closure of venues and live performances becoming a nostalgic memory of yesteryear. Here at Jejune, we are inspired by those who have found a way to pursue their art and continue creating during these times. For Georgia Black, her new single “Invisible Enemy” is a demonstration of both persistence of art and the unity felt amongst communities during quarantine and shelter-in-place across the world. We fell instantly for the sauntering sound of Black’s smooth voice accompanied by dreamy synths and violins (truly reminiscent of a James Bond Film), which come together in “Invisible Enemy” to positively depict citizens who stay at home as heroes. We speak to Black about her time in quarantine, where she draws inspiration, and about her day job as a Learning Support Assistant in the UK. For more about Georgia Black please read our exclusive interview below.

Where are you based?
North London, Haringey.

When and how did your interest in music begin?
My love for music stemmed from the womb when I went to my first MJ concert. Growing up, I was always listening to and surrounded by great different genres of music, as my parents had good taste. In terms of my own musicality, I just started singing along to music I liked around the age of 12 and realised I enjoyed how it felt, so kept going with it.

Your music has been described as being reminiscent of the music of a James Bond film. How would you describe your sound?
Well, that’s a huge compliment, as it’s always been a dream of mine to write a Bond theme song. I’d describe my sound as Bluesy Trip Hop.

Who have been your musical inspirations?
I have so many musical inspirations but off the top of my head: Shirley Bassey, Etta James, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, The Specials, Lauryn Hill, Fugees, Missy Elliot, Portishead, Gorillaz, and Amy Winehouse. To name a few…

You have a new single out called “Repeat & Play”. Can you tell us a little bit about the creation of this song?
I actually wrote Repeat & Play a couple of years ago, at a stage in my life when I felt stuck – in the same never-ending cycle, not achieving my goals, in relationships, seeing the same awful things happening in the world, and with general life satisfaction. I wrote it with my friend Dornik (an amazing artist), but kind of forgot about it, then during the first lockdown, it came to the forefront of my mind because every day felt the same, like a record on repeat! My producer Joshua Woolf then beefed up the production and the rest was history.

I think all of us in quarantine can relate to this song. What do you want your audience to get from this song?
I’d want my audience to understand that they are not alone in this situation, and to take comfort in knowing that the majority of the population are in the same position.

You end the song with “No, I won't keep quiet no more, won’t go down like that”. Can you tell us a little bit behind the meaning of this lyric?
In general, the song is about standing up for yourself and facing your fears and demons, in which ever context this may be. Whether it’s standing up to a man bullying you (or anyone for that matter), standing up to the doubt in your head that’s telling you you’re not good enough, or standing up to this bullshit virus and the mess that this Government has made – you cannot keep quiet or be happy knowing that if you died in a freak accident tomorrow, you went down without trying.

You also recently released “Invisible Enemy.” Can you give us your creative perspective of writing and recording this song? What inspired it?
The single was inspired by a conversation I had with a colleague of mine, Roberta - I work as a Learning Support Assistant in a college for my day job. Roberta said, “Don’t you think it’s crazy that whenever we’re usually unwell, we feel we have to be the hero and push ourselves to go to work, but right now, to be the hero is the other way round?” This really resonated with me and built up an image in my head of super heroes saving lives by staying at home, which laid the foundation for the song.

The recording process was done completely remotely. Me and my producer, Josh Woolf, were due to have our first writing session during the first week of the first lockdown, which we ended up having to cancel for obvious reasons. Josh sometimes leaks little clips of beats he’s working on on his Instagram story and there was this one day that I really felt a particular beat he’d put up. I asked him what he was doing with it and if I could write to it, and not long after, ’Invisible Enemy’ was written.

The lyrics “Heroes stay inside to breathe” hint at the unity that comes from taking collective action to stay indoors to keep each other safe during shelter in place. What sort of impact do you think having this positive mindset of being a “hero” will have on listeners?
I think it will encourage them to keep doing the right thing and give them comfort in knowing that together we can make a difference.

You teased the release of “Invisible Enemy” on Instagram with clips of people in capes and masks doing household chores like cooking, cleaning, and sewing. You also had a clip with people wearing their hero costumes on a video call. We would love to hear more about the work in putting these clips together.
When I initially came up with the concept for the song, during the first lockdown, I thought it was the perfect time to get people involved in making a music video, as everyone was at home and probably had more time on their hands. I sent out a group message to a load of mates asking if they wanted to be a part of it, explaining that all they had to do was film themselves doing mundane activities around the house dressed as superheroes. I was nicely surprised by how many of them were up for it, so ended up sending out a spreadsheet with individual tasks for everyone to do and some other instructions on how to film with their iPhones. Once everyone filmed their parts, they sent the footage back to me and I put the video together.

Having written this song at the beginning of the pandemic, what was it like to record the song while in quarantine?
I have a home studio setup and at the time had access to another studio that I could use with nobody else there, so it was no different to recording at home.

You have been able to perform some gigs during Covid. What was it like performing this song about staying home in public?
The minimal amount of gigs I’ve done during Covid have been bitter-sweet. Bitter, because of the many restrictions, not allowing us artists to have a proper audience - with no one being allowed to stand up and people being turned away from the venue if every seat is taken. Sweet, because it gives you a reminder of how it feels to be doing what you love and giving other people enjoyment out of it at the same time. The gigs have also been more intimate so people have truly listened. The one time that I’ve performed ‘Invisible Enemy’ went down really well and I could feel a sense of unity in the audience.

How are you handling the UK being in lockdown again?
To be honest, I’m so fed up of it now and am angry at how our Government have handled it. It’s mentally draining.

You also work as a Learning Support Assistant. Can you give us the details of what this job entails and what your day-to-day looks like?
As an LSA, I support students suffering with a variety of learning difficulties and mental health issues. This can be anything from dyslexia and autism to anxiety, depression and more severe issues, such as Bipolar Disorder. I support these students in and out of the classroom with their coursework and provide emotional academic support, while liaising with teachers and parents about concerns in college.

As a Learning Support Assistant, what sort of challenges have you faced as a part of the educational system during COVID?
Supporting students suffering with severe anxiety, when all of the staff members are suffering with the same kind of issues, fearing for their families by going to work everyday. I’m also finding it difficult knowing that the students won’t be getting the same kind of education, as if one person in their class gets Covid, they all have to self-isolate as well. Lessons still run online, which is positive, but there’s no way that it can possibly be the same as in a classroom.

What issues or complications in learning/education do you think go unnoticed or lack awareness in the public eye? What can be done to bring more awareness to these issues?
I don’t think people realise that we are putting our lives on the line and for that reason, the college should provide onsite Covid testing, which currently they do not.

How have you been able to balance your day job with your music?
It can be really difficult because the day job itself can be challenging, which makes me quite tired, but I seem to manage it ok, doing music in the evenings and on my days off. I just don’t have much time for anything else outside of work and music. Haha!

How have you been staying positive during shelter in place?
Making more music and video calls with friends and family.

What is your motto in life?
Always and only up!

To learn more about Georgia Black, please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: IAmGeorgiaBlack
Facebook: IAmGeorgiaBlack
Twitter: IAmGeorgiaBlack
YouTube: GeorgiaBlackMusic

Photography by Emily Moya.

Georgia Black - Heroes Stay Inside to Breathe