Galia Arad
Galia Arad is the latest artist to take on our Guestlist series and chat about the 10 songs that shaped her and her music. The Dublin based singer/songwriter made her name touring the world with Jools Holland, performing in iconic venues around the world.
Galia's latest song ‘Lion’s Den’, which was released in recent weeks, is a heart-achingly powerful Americana track that showcases Galia's striking vocals. Check it out below, along with the ten songs that influenced Galia and her music.
This Is America - Childish Gambino
The power of art. This song and video, and really the reaction to it, blew me open.
Britney Spears - Perfume
This is a double hitter for me because this song was actually written by one of my biggest music inspirations, Sia. I have no words to articulate how much I love Britney and her music and the joy it’s brought me.
Let Him Fly - The Chicks
I love how the Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks) have always stood up for what they believed, despite having to deal with consequences in their career. How to be a true artist! This song in particular got me through high school heartache and I refer to it when I find myself getting needlessly complicated in my own writing (which is constantly).
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright - Bob Dylan
Perfect song - nothing else to say.
24 Etudes, Op 10: No. 3 in E Major Chopin - Evelyne Brancart
My parents are both classical musicians, so that’s what I was raised listening to mostly. My mom always says that the first time she didn’t have as much stage fright was when she was pregnant with me during a concert where she played these Chopin etudes. She said she felt less alone going on stage. So I’d say that concert was probably my first concert ever. Front row seat in the womb! This etude is my favourite!
Delicate - Taylor Swift
I love this song. I love how it’s upbeat and somehow emotional at the same time. I want to learn how to write/produce like that. I use this as a reference track all the time.
Ain’t That The Truth - Kirsten Thien
Kirsten has been my partner in crime in music since I met her in NYC at a gig of hers at an Irish Bar on Bleecker Street called the Red Lion. This is my favourite song of hers, and it truly changed the way I started writing around that time. I love the space she leaves in the song. I’ve always been one to cram as many words possible.
After the Storm - Mumford & Sons
I actually cannot listen to this song often because I find it too upsetting. My dream is to write a song this sad.
When The Ship Comes In - the Pogues
My older sister left a Pogues CD at home when she went away to college. This changed my life because Shane MacGowan changed my life. His songs represent joy and pain and beauty and ugliness, all at the same time. Magic.
I’ll Cover You (REPRISE) - from the musical RENT (original cast recording)
I saw Rent when I was in high school and I can’t explain the power it had in every possible way, other than it connected me to everything. I miss that feeling of loving something so much you can’t deal with it. I’m listening to this song now for the first time in maybe a decade, and it’s doing something to me so I gotta go!
