Emerging Georgian Artist Gains Popularity in Rome with Live Performances
Exclusive Interview
The roots of all great bands grow from underground; as is the story of a young passionate Georgian musician who paved his way in a foreign country through gigs and club nights. Lado Gigaia is a student of the Tbilisi Conservatoire and a fledgling musician who has captured the hearts of Italian audiences in Rome with acoustic guitar performances and songs.
Currently, the gifted singer is studying electronic composition at Saint Louis College in Rome and working on his new EP entitled Big White Mountain. The young musician composes songs and has his own band ‘On The Road’ which has performed at several festivals and gigs in venues around Tbilisi.
“I’m very pleased that Lado was accepted to the Saint Louis College of Music in Rome,” says the proud Director of Tbilisi State Conservatoire and well-known musician Rezo Kiknadze about his student. “After the completion of the course, he will have the opportunity to continue his work in the music field, based on his own personal preferences and interests. I believe that exciting and interesting experiences await him in his life and career. Although I have been acquainted with him for just a short time, he managed to distinguish himself with his passion.”
On May 17, Lado will deliver a solo concert in Wishlist Club, Rome. Additionally, Saint Louis College will release his single on its own label. While listening to the most popular songs by his band, ‘Tents In The Rain’ and ‘Cold Fireplace,’ one is able to capture the synthesis of a beautiful melody, natural sounds and guitar strings; whilst having the feeling you are sitting at the fireside with friends, or are about to set off on an adventurous journey. The music is both tasteful and positive, so it is no surprise that the Italian audience enjoys listening to the live performances during the peaceful evenings of spring.
The young musician shared his success story with GEORGIA TODAY.
When did you get into the music field?
I never thought I’d end up in the music field. I was actively engaged in sports and simply got pleasure from listening to music and playing by myself, but when I had to make a choice between football or studies, I decided to obtain a higher education in the history of art. During the last years at school, I wrote songs and played music with my friend Tornike Lomsadze; yet, I was not planning to become a professional musician. I thought it was already too late and that I lacked the proper background to continue my studies in this field. Still, I gave it a try and luckily I was admitted to the Tbilisi State Conservatoire. Since then, my life has changed significantly, I met Avto Iremashvili, with whom I founded On The Road. Originally, the band included Tornike Lomsadze, Mikho Jinisiani and Dito Lekveishvili . We started out performing in Tbilisi’s clubs and pubs, and featured at AlpFest 2017. We recorded two singles, Tents in the Rain and Cold Fireplace. The band eventually transformed, and we decided to experiment with our music and enrich it with more electronic sounds. The current members of the band, aside from Avto and me, are Data Tsereteli, Beka Chkhartishvili and Gigi Koberidze. Together with the new team, we performed a concert at Backstage 76. We don’t play one particular music genre, yet currently our main direction is post indie-rock.
Tell us about your experience in Rome
At present, I’m studying Electronic Music Composition (BA) at Saint Louis College in Italy, within the frames of the Erasmus program. I applied to the program, sent my portfolio and cover letter, and was admitted to the university. During my first two performances in Rome, I had to play first and open the concerts, which was really stressful. I didn’t know how a foreign audience would react and what the feedback would be. I performed alone on acoustic guitar without accompaniment and sang alone. Fortunately, the public liked my performance, which then gave birth to the idea of a solo concert. I received an offer to record an EP. Saint Louis College will release my single on its own label. The launch of which will happen on May 11. As for my EP, Big White Mountain, I don’t have a particular plan, but I am entirely involved in the working process. After returning home, the band On The Road will carry on delivering concerts and recording new songs.
Tell us about your upcoming solo concert on May 17
I will be the headliner of an acoustic show in Wishlist Club. My performance will last an hour and 40 minutes, and I will perform 13 songs from On The Road. Before this concert, I performed in two other venues, Yellow Bar and Le Mura. My friend, who is also a musician, listened to my music and then shared it with the producer who is in charge of the concerts. He liked my performance and offered me a solo concert.
Which music genre has influenced you most as a musician?
I try to listen to all kinds of music, yet the four major idols who influenced my taste and eventually my music were Paul Mccartney, Jeff Black, Thom Yorke and Sam Beam. I don’t have specific plans for now on, yet after completing my studies here; I’m planning on going back to the Tbilisi Conservatoire, earning my BA and focusing on my band.
By Lika Chigladze