What is your name?
Golda
What is your genre of music?
Americana/folk/folk pop
Give us a little bio about you.
I grew up in a town just outside of NYC on the south shore of Long Island. As a teenager I would take the train into the city all the time, mostly to hear music and sometimes just to walk around the Village. Now I’ve lived in NYC for over 20 years. I think being a New Yorker and watching the city change over the years has had a big influence on my music. I’m like an NYC bagel – hard on the outside and soft on the inside (and delicious!). I’m tough but I’m really tender. I think my music has those elements.
What made you go into music?
I had always dabbled in music. I played a few instruments in school, and as an adult I was in a chori and spent a few years doing musical improv comedy. But I finally committed to learning bass a few years ago and I found myself writing tons of songs. My bass teacher (Tony Calabro of Astoria Park Recording) encouraged me to record and became my producer. My husband, Jeff, who’s played guitar for decades, loved my songs and we formed an acoustic duo. Now it’s such a huge part of my life.
Are you signed?
No. But that would be lovely!
You are set to release a new album, tell us more about it.
“Be My Satellite” is my second album and my first full length album. I feel like I made my first album partially to see if I could really do it. I’ve grown so much as a songwriter since then. I think listeners will really connect with and relate to this album.
It was recorded at Astoria Park Recording here in Astoria. Tony Calabro produced it and plays all of the instruments except for bass (me) and harmonica
What is the meaning behind the single?
Some of the songs on this album are really about finding yourself and figuring out who you are in the world and in relationships. “Planet of a Girl” is one of those songs – to me it’s about deciding to love and accept yourself and hoping that the person you love will come along for the ride. It also has a subtle fat-positive message: that you can feel like a “Planet of a Girl” and still go for what you want in life.
Describe each track in two words.
Planet of a Girl – self love
Head in the Sand – political avoidance
Invisible Ink – untold stories
Tryin’ Too Hard – let go
Shield – self protection
A Sunny Day Like This – life / death
Reject You First – closed off
Touchdown – long-term love
Hang On Until Then – political hope
Your Way Back When – 90s NYC
What was the writing process like?
I love writing songs so the writing process is a pleasure for me. Since I only play bass, I usually start with lyrics, a vocal melody and a basic bass line and what I think makes sense in terms of chords. Then we build from there.
What was the recording process like?
By the time we decided to record this album I had over 20 songs in consideration. So the recording process was quite long, and we spent a lot of time producing certain songs and then deciding if they would make the cut. I’m really happy with the 11 that made it!
Who did you work with on the album?
I worked with Tony Calabro. He’s my bass teacher/producer/engineer/instrumentalist/arranger/all around great musical partner.
Will we see any videos for any of the tracks?
I have one up for the single, “Planet of a Girl.” I hope to do more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CsC_RNQ7Y0
Do you have any shows coming up?
Yes. We have a few coming up in Brooklyn and Queens.
If so where will you be heading?
For now we’re just playing locally, but we have plans to do more shows in the northeast later in the year.
What else can we expect in 2019?
Some more east coast shows and maybe even a new single for my next album.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
Nothing’s in the works right now but I enjoy collaborating with other artists.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Definitely! They could contact me directly through my website (www.thatgolda.com).
Do you play any instruments?
Yes. I play bass. For the last year or so I’ve mostly played a Fender Kingman acoustic bass.
Who are your influences?
Lucinda Williams, Joan Osborne, Jenny Lewis, PJ Harvey. My whole life I sought out female songwriters and that’s really who I listen to most.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
For me it always starts with an emotion that I’m feeling. I want to convey that emotion in words and music. And I want to paint a very full picture. Sometimes I use a technique I learned in improv comedy called “if this is true, what else is true.” Like, if the character in my song is feeling this feeling, what else is happening? Where is she? What is she seeing/hearing/touching? What is her life like up until now? And so on.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I hope to still be making albums and playing shows! I’d love to write songs for other artists as well.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Well, I’m still a practicing lawyer, so I do a lot of lawyering! But other than that, I love period movies, going out to brunch, and going to the beach when it’s nice out (or even not that nice).
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
When John Moreland’s High On Tulsa Heat came out in 2015, I was obsessed with it. I listened to “You Don’t Care For Me Enough To Cry” on repeat. I’m not going to say I felt like I could write like him, but I felt like there was something in me that wanted to try. I’m really glad I did.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Do the easiest thing first. I often get overwhelmed by a very long to-do list. My mom taught me that doing the easiest thing first gives you a sense of achievement and that positive feeling of crossing something off your list. It’s the best advice.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Creativity is a worthy endeavor in and of itself. Even if your music isn’t commercial, if it speaks to you and other people than it is worth pursuing.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“If you will it, it is no dream.” – Theodore Herzl
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Astoria Park. It’s a beautiful, though sometimes a bit unkempt, park right on the East River. It has a huge pool too that is the most lovely place to watch the sunset in the summer.
You’re coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Home. To my apartment for a good sleep.
2/ Who do you see first? I’d already be with my husband, so I’d love to see my sisters, niece and nephew and my parents.
3/What do you eat first? A really yummy Greek salad.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
High fun / low stakes – It’s something I learned from my old improv coach and it really helps with any bit of stage fright
Connect with the lyrics
My bass
Extra batteries
A solid tuner!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Website
Youtube
Instagram
Facebook
