The L.A. musician shines on the latest track off her forthcoming EP
Despite holiday music permeating the airwaves on all fronts, additional music is still making its way out there. Take, for example, LA songstress Gianna Alessi. This musician not only lives up to her locale as a Californian artist, but thrives under its influence. Her music matches her bubbly nature while holding true to the vulnerability that comes with it. Gianna welcomes newcomers to her intimate sound and consistent fans will smile with ease with her new single, “It’s Only Heaven”.
“It’s Only Heaven” eases in with a dreamy twinkle that is then pushed forward with Gianna’s elegant vocals. The track is immediately operatic and filled with a gospel feel that conveys a sense of holiness. Her vocals lead the charge and prepare the foundation in which that groovy bass line can support. Listeners will sway and tap with each listen. An encouragement to recognize Gianna’s mixture of angst and wishing is hard to ignore. A supported chorus allows the message to hit home with a clear goal. Let Gianna rekindle the power of connection this holiday season and remember to be seen.
The Californian gave more insight on it all below.
This new single, as you characterized, is a play on “the quiet tension between desire and genuine understanding,” can you elaborate a bit on this?
“It’s Only Heaven” is really about that strange space of being desired but not fully seen. It’s that feeling when someone tells you you’re an angel, a goddess, a deity, but they’ve built you up in their mind without actually taking the time to know you. The song explores the tension between the admiration or lust someone projects onto you and the reality of who you actually are, wanting connection that goes beyond fantasy and surface-level desire.
What was it like working with Gavi Grodsky and were there any specific memories that come to mind?
Gavi and I go way back, he’s a great friend, and our connection actually started when he began playing guitar for me live. Later, I found out he also produces, and this single is the second song we’ve worked on together. For this one, I approached him with chords and lyrics and told him I wanted a repeated, hooky guitar line on the choruses. We ended up building it together in a really organic, collaborative way. We also brought Dan Fernandez on to add live drums, who has played with both of us in my live sets, which added another layer of warmth and energy.
What is your favorite holiday event to partake in and what holiday, if any, does your music thrive in?
Every year, the lighting and decorating of the Christmas tree gets me. Or even a quiet moment with a good glass of wine by the fire after a big holiday meal. I actually think “It’s Only Heaven” would be perfect for this season – it’s intimate, dreamy, and lush, pairing well with a snowy evening watching a blizzard outside your window. It’s music that complements those reflective, cozy holiday moments.
4) What hopes do you have for the new year and why?
Personally, I’m looking forward to continuing to roll out this new EP and sharing my ongoing work with listeners. I want to continue to hone my craft and find my audience authentically. More broadly, I hope for a year where we listen more and talk less, where there’s greater understanding and care for each other’s needs. Creativity and connection are powerful, and I hope we can foster both in the year ahead.
What advice would you give musicians entering the space that you wish you had learned early on in your career?
One person’s opinion really isn’t going to make or break your path. Work hard, create music that feels authentic to you, and cultivate a community that supports and champions other artists, you’ll go much further lifting each other up than thinking of it as a competition. Focus on authenticity and collaboration, and the rest will follow.
