We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Giorgi and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michael, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida- a city I am very proud to be from. Ask anyone that knows me well and they will likely confirm that being from Tampa is one-third of my personality. I still go back and volunteer as an Entertainment Coordinator for Gasparilla Festival of the Arts! I also have incredibly supportive parents. I’d say my passion for music was born through being in a city with a stellar creative presence, along with a family that was willing to foster my interest in the arts as I grew up.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a rock guitarist and vocalist, currently fronting my own band GIORGI! While relatively new (less than two years old), we’ve had the opportunity to play multiple cities, two festivals, and release three songs that I am beyond proud of. Over the years I’ve been able to open for some of my favorite internationally touring artists and play some of my dream venues (The Masquerade here in Atlanta was a major milestone).
It certainly wasn’t easy getting to this point and it will continue to be difficult to get where I’d like to go, but I don’t think it’s easy to take any artistic pursuit seriously. Thankfully, I’ve always been pretty resourceful! I tend to find creative ways to overcome the challenges that I’ve been presented with. That really presents itself when I need to balance my music, personal training business, and day job! Over the years I’ve been able to organize my life in a way that allows me to balance what I need to do and love to do. which rocks. I’ve learned that it’s okay to oscillate between your passions. You aren’t any less of an artist if you choose to dial back and grow another part of your life for a bit!
It’s taken a lot of work to recognize what makes my music special to me. I think it comes from a place of optimism, despite a lot of my songs being angry or cynical in nature. Both sonically and lyrically, I want to explore as much of the emotional spectrum as I can! I am so drawn to aggressive instrumentals, but I want the melodies to soar. People contain multitudes and I want that to be reflected in the music I write.
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?
I hope they are cool with crashing on the couch! I live in a little one-bedroom.
I’ll admit that I’ve only lived here a year but In that time I’ve found so much to love. As nearly all of my friends are creative in some way, that would drive a ton of my decision-making.
We’d likely plan this week around a concert or two, and Ideally I take them to The Eastern and Tabernacle- I really love both those venues and think that those rooms are selling points all on their own.
Breakfasts would absolute be at Emerald City Bagels and Joe’s Coffee in EAV. That combination has never failed me and likely never will.
As far as daytime excursions are concerned, I believe everyone needs to experience The Georgia Aquarium at least once. Everyone who visits me is also required at least one trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts. I personally try to go at least once a month! Many of my friends collect music physically so Criminal Records is a must-stop (though Disorder Vinyl has been calling my name recently). Another plus to Atlanta is proximity to the mountains- a lot of great hiking is only a day trip, and Blood Mountain is a blast!
Admittedly, I get stumped on dinner. I don’t eat out too terribly much but I LOVE El Tesoro, East Atlanta Thai and Sushi, and have had some excellent stuff at Krog Street Market. Can’t miss at any of those places.
As you can likely tell, I love living in proximity to East Atlanta! So if the night was young, we might pop on over to Trophy Room for a drink. There’s something about a bar you need to climb stairs to get to.
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 don’t think I can take any credit for my success without first mentioning my parents, who truly made me feel like I could do anything. They continue to support every interest I might find myself marinating in, and I genuinely don’t believe I would have made it half as far as I have in life without their guidance and encouragement.
Instagram: https://its.giorgi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/its.giorgi
Other: Spotify:
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/giorgi/57341419
Image Credits
Photos taken by Oz Billig (Main photo, stage photos holding guitar), Jordan Del Rio (photo in front of fence), and Jeremy McGuire (white t-shirt photo)