For many electronic dance music fans, GG Magree popped onto the scene in 2016 as the featured vocalist on “Frontlines,” a massive collab single from Zeds Dead and NGHTMRE. But that was only the beginning.
After hitting the festival circuit in support of the hit tune, the Australian DJ/singer/producer maintained a steady pace of diverse releases on a variety of labels (Deadbeats, Armada, Dim Mak), including notable collaborations with Blanke (2019’s “Incinerate”) and Sullivan King (2020’s “Flatline”). Even through the lockdown, she kept cranking out electro, pop and dubstep tracks.
But, for GG Magree, 2022 has already hit another level. In addition to joining forces with Mija to form a powerhouse duo, So Tuff So Cute, she’s delivered a pair of irresistible singles on Monstercat – the hook-filled “My Wicked” and the scorching “Deja Reve.” Set for inclusion on her upcoming Dichotomy EP, the tunes unravel her twisted love stories and haunting nightmares.
We recently caught up with the 33-year-old, L.A.-based GG Magree and discussed all of the above.
DJ LIFE MAG: After releasing a barrage of singles, you’re now releasing your Dichotomy EP on Monstercat. What’s that experience been like?
GG Magree: It’s a dream come true. Releasing music has always been so scary for me. But with this project, I’ve been the most impatient for the world to hear it – my team can confirm that – and I’ve finally found my sound and how I want to be represented as an artist. Working alongside Monstercat has been incredible. They’re so passionate and such a boss team.
DJ LIFE MAG: Where are you making your music these days?
GG Magree: I have an at-home back-house studio, so I basically wake up, work out, drink coffee, open the back door, and jump straight in. Fender has been kind enough to send me some guitars to play around with, so I get stuck in vortexes and will be like, “Oops, it’s 3 a.m., I gotta go to bed!” I’m also in such a great place in my life that the writing component has been on a really nice flow.
DJ LIFE MAG: What gear and software do you use?
GG Magree: I use Ableton Live, Dynaudio studio monitors, Behringer X32 digital mixer, and Korg SV1 digital piano/keyboard. For plug-ins, it’s Antares Auto-Tune, Soundtoys Little AlterBoy, Soundtoys Devil-Loc, ValhallaDSP reverbs, and oeksound soothe2. I mostly use vocal plug-ins when I track myself. I also love manipulating my voice through effects.
DJ LIFE MAG: What is your creative process in the studio?
GG Magree: I start most songs acoustically, and words and melodies will flow after. I’m a pretty-fast writer, so if I don’t have the song written in, like, two hours, I’ll usually leave that one to rot. Writing has to come from the heart and experiences for me, so the more life I live, the more I feel and the more I write.
DJ LIFE MAG: When you have a rough week or hit a wall creatively, how do you get yourself back on track?
GG Magree: I surround myself with my friends and love hard on my body. Touring is super-aggressive physically and mentally, so when I’m back from a week of shows, I’ll always try take a couple mornings to work out, hike, hang out with my friends and get some early night rest. I’m pretty good at pulling myself out of dark places fast and I can thank my parents for that. They taught me a lot about mental health growing up.
DJ LIFE MAG: Tell us a little about your recent single, “Deja Reve,” and how it came together.
GG Magree: As a kid, I would have night terrors and sleep paralysis, so I went to a doctor who taught me how to lucid dream and to always keep a dream journal. “Deja Reve” explains a dream I’ve had, in which I’ve then had déjà vu with knowing I’ve been somewhere before – but it’s been in my dreams. I was watching the movie “Hostel,” which is written and directed by Eli Roth, who’s one of my all-time favorites, and I took a lot of inspiration from the instrumental in there.
DJ LIFE MAG: What was the inspiration behind your Dichotomy EP? Is the “Already Dead” music video reflective of those themes at play?
GG Magree: People always say to me, “You’re such a happy person, but your writing, music and overall aesthetic is so dark.” Well, that’s my dichotomy. I’m more attracted to darkness. My “Already Dead” music video is 100-percent a representation of “Dichotomy.” I love to play with the idea that when we can’t see or we’re vulnerable, that’s when the real us comes out.
DJ LIFE MAG: You also started a supergroup with Mija as So Tuff So Cute. When did you two decide to join forces and what can the world expect from you two going forward?
GG Magree: Music, merch, and basically worldwide domination. Me and Amber have been best friends for a while now and we also live together, so it was a natural situation. We have the same taste in music and same workflow – aka get shit done! It’s so much fun creating, traveling and starting a business with your best friend.
DJ LIFE MAG: You two played Ultra Music Festival recently. How does it feel to have an opportunity like that playing alongside one of your best friends?
GG Magree: We were actually both talking about this today, how lucky and blessed we feel to be able to share these memories together.
DJ LIFE MAG: How would you say you and your sound have evolved since you first popped onto the scene?
GG Magree: I’m a pop-punk-rock baby! Always have been, always will be. I feel like it just took me a minute to find my place in the EDM scene, and also having a team that 100-percent supports my vision and is not trying to make me an artist I don’t want to be. My manager Joey [McCarthy] is the best thing that ever happened to me!
DJ LIFE MAG: What do you have planned for 2022 and beyond?
GG Magree: Coachella, Tomorrowland, Electric Forest, EDC and a solo tour. Oh, and you might see me on your TV and also in theaters by the end of the year.
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