What is your names?
GZ Tian

What is your genre of music?
I tend explore different genres and see them through the lends of a hip-hop artist. Mostly bringing Jazz, Rock and world music influences into my music to create fusions of sorts. I particularly enjoy bringing my Chinese heritage into my tracks as I play several traditional Chinese instruments.

Give us a little bio about you.
I am a young artist from Manchester, UK currently living in London. I produce, rap and sing and also recently directed a single of mine called Yin Yang: (see below)
I enjoy all forms of creative work, but particularly enjoy my roles of producer and writer.

What made you go into music?
I hate to sound cliché, but being raised in a musical family, and feeling this pull from within me to create since a young age almost forced me to be a creative or make music.

Are you a signed?
My project ‘Another Artist’ was signed to Believe after I dropped my first song ‘Laid Back’ in 2018:

You set to release your new EP ‘Another Artist Mixtape’, tell us more about the EP.
The EP serves as an introduction to me musically. There are no features and only ‘Moody Kid’ and ‘Late Night’ are not produced or co-produced by me. It is a representation of how I want music to sound; truly me having fun.

What is the meaning behind ‘Another Artist Mixtape’?
The title is ironic and teasing out something subtle which I notice in artists. This is that we all feel unique and special, however, if we are all unique, does that not defeat the purpose? It’s this dichotomy between our connection to others and our alienation from others which interests me; the one thing which connects us (in being unique) is the thing which we feel sets us apart. Calling myself ‘Another Artist’ was a way for me to standout.

Describe the track in two words.
L.M.L – painful, interesting.

Will we see a music video for any of the tracks?
L.M.L Video drops on GRM Daily on 10th of April!

Do you have any shows coming up?
None at the moment due to Corona, but I will be doing livestreams on my instagram ,often, so tune in for those

What else can we expect in Early 2020?
After this EP, I will be straight onto the next one! I currently have a 6 track EP in mind which will be a lot of fun to create and listen to!

Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
A few from my city, Manchester, but we have not confirmed any dates so I won’t speak on them yet!

Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Of course, and they would have to contact my manager or me!

Do you play any instruments?
Er hu, piano, hulusi, gao hu (cantonese Er hu), and several other chinese instruments.

Who are your influences?
XXXtentacion, The Weeknd, Outkast as artists, but I love Roy Hargoves Jazz compositions and Bill Evans’ piano style – very understated, interesting and painful at times.

How do you get inspiration to write songs?
My daily life, sometimes it just comes, or other times by watching films – particularly anime or sad romance films which might trigger something in me, a memory or thought. When I’m stressed, I force myself to write them as well as I was late to finish this EP, my label weren’t happy with me, so I was writing everyday! I just wanted it to be perfect

Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Rich in Asia somewhere, or broke in Stockport. It’s one or the other.

When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Play football, watch films, listen to my own music, watch football, play call of duty or fifa now because of isolation, although its been a while.

What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I can’t remember one particular song, but Jcole’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ mixtape did a lot for me as a teenager.

What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Work hard, keep going, trust your intuition and your ear.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Exactly the same as above.

What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Distracted from distraction by distraction” – T.S Eliot.
We should focus on what is important to our Self; things on social media, the news, sometimes our own thoughts are just distractions.

Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Stockport County Stadium!

Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? My room to sleep probably.
2/ Who do you see first? My family.
3/What do you eat first? Chinese food, if possible, frommy Grandma…

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
I tend not to get overly stressed about these things, depending on the gig though, I make sure all the music I’m performing is with the sound engineer, and then I’m ready to go!

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
on instagram and twitter
Tian on Facebook.