Meet Gira Soul: Musical Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gira Soul and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gira, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote from scholar and activist Toni Cade Bambara: “the role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” This quote is what I believe and what I strive for. Among other things it guides my artistry, reminding me of what is most important: crafting a world of peace and harmony. In my music I talk about my hopes for the future. I talk about love, black joy, mother nature, racism and ignorance, capitalism, weed, etc. I present my ideas, what I see, what I learn. I keep the revolution (the rise of humanity and the fall of everything else) at the center so I don’t get distracted by what would sell, or what the people want to hear. That’s why I love this quote so much. It a simple direct charge. And honestly I think it’s wrong to take ($$$) from the people without giving in some kind of way. That artist-to-audience exchange is odd these days, so I’m extra careful to be intentional in my giving.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A black girl from Kansas who was raised in New Mexico ended up at an HBCU in Atlanta, and stayed to follow a hunch. That’s me. I came to ATL for school, and I didn’t leave. Even at the time I knew there was so much to be explored here-especially in the music scene. I had always been musically inclined. I grew up in Baptist church, singing in all the choirs and praise teams. It wasn’t until after college (after graduating into a weird ass job market) that I actual began to take music seriously. I ran into the homie Xeven Wolf (producer) and we started recording at his crib. There we made “Yellow Jeep,” my first track. After that we made “She,” then I started working on my EP titled “The Clay.” It’s a short 4 selection joint full of acoustic guitar and reverb (lol). I was beginning to produce my own beats as well as write and record, and so “The Clay,” became a compilation of my most favorite self-made tracks. It was an investment getting all of the recording equipment-I was living at the Magnolia Apartments in the West End, working at Local Green, trying to figure out my next steps- but it was worth it. Since those days I’ve gotten into producing heavier, and now I’m working on my next project. If the world should know anything about me, it is that I will always be authentically myself. That’s all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lol! I just had a friend visit, actually. We got Slutty Vegan and devoured it at Piedmont Park. I like chill adventures where you can really be in nature, eat good food, or listen to live music. As a vegan I’m hip to all the little gems of Atlanta, so whatever funs things I’m doing usually revolve around food. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout the fam! Thank you to my family for truly supporting and truly believing in me. Thanks guys. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to listen to my music. I appreciate it more than you know.

Website: www.girasoulmusic.com

Instagram: @gira._.soul

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTEDJsMZpHJJpM59rvIv3kA/featured

Image Credits
Brooklen McCarty, (aka Brookwaven) + GRSM Lifestyle