MATILDE G, Singapore-based Italian singer, songwriter and producer, is only 17 this year and she’s already pushing boundaries with her style of pop music.
She began writing songs at the tender age of 13. Her first self-produced and written singles, “Cup of Tea”, “In My Mind” and “The Distance” garnered over 1.2 million streams on Spotify organically. Earlier this year, her latest single “Digging for Diamonds” was released, and the accompanying music video hit 1.5 million views.
We talk to Matilde G about her incredible music journey and her experiences as an expat singer in Singapore.
You lived in Italy and India before coming to Singapore. How have your experiences as an expat influenced your music?
I’m Italian and I’ve been living in Singapore for three years. When I was younger, I had the pleasure of living for a few years in India. I grew up in a house with a lush garden and I remember an elephant eating the shoots of our hedge. I remember the bright colours of saris and the scent of spices, the monkeys near my school, the festival of lights, and the festival of colours. And also the kindness of the people and the elegance of the women. Indian culture is a part of me together with Italian and Singaporean culture. With my music, I express who I am: a citizen of the world.
What have been some challenges of developing your music career as an expat in Singapore?
When I arrived in Singapore, I didn’t know where to start my music project. This country is small and the music industry opportunities are limited, especially if you’re an expat and you don’t speak Chinese. Moreover, live music has been restricted in Singapore for two years because of the pandemic.
Despite everything, I started working on my social media, posting my music constantly, and I found out that Singaporeans are very supportive and interested in my content. I can’t wait to meet my local fans in person now that live music is resuming!
Your latest single “Digging For Diamonds” was released in March. How would you describe the style of the song? What message does it convey?
“Digging for Diamonds” is an evolution in my artistic production; it sounds more mature compared to my previous releases and it represents the path I want to take in my music journey. It talks about a complicated relationship; he is hurting her by not respecting and playing with her feelings; and she expresses her emotions, sadness, frustration and anger in the notes of the song. I really love the chorus that explodes to the heavens.
The music video has reached 1.5 million views (at last count); that’s the highest for your YouTube channel. How have things changed after this breakthrough?
I’m so excited about this result and I feel really grateful to all my fans who are watching it on repeat. I hope it could represent the kick-off of my career as a singer in Singapore. I personally wrote the visual representation of this music video in the form of “Diamonds” and “Dust”. It encapsulates elegance and sensuality through aerial acrobatics and it shows empowering acting scenes in a giant cage. I personally designed and created the white and black wings and I adore the scenes inside the National Gallery Singapore where I wear a stunning red dress (Hayden Boutique Singapore) in contrast with the black and white stairs of the courtroom. This music video reveals my passion for fashion, makeup and hairstyling.
Who are the musicians who have inspired your compositions? What attracts you to their music?
Among the musicians that inspire me – not only in my music but in my everyday life, as an artist and as a person – are Lady Gaga for her versatility and amazing presence on stage, and artists like Lewis Capaldi, Shawn Mendes and Ed Sheeran for their amazing songs and the strong feelings they convey to the audience; also, Sia and Ariana Grande for their powerful vocals and performances.
How has your music evolved since you started writing songs at 13?
It has definitely changed and evolved from very childlike sounds and lyrics/content to deeper and more mature sounds and stories. My music grows and evolves with me. It changes based on my music skills (I’m studying and practicing a lot!) but also based on the events that happen in my life, the people that come and go, and my emotions and thoughts. Music for me is like a secret diary; I write about what goes on in my life. A few years ago, it used to be the first breakup/crush, my desire to make it as a musician, and my love for traveling. Today, the themes cover relationships, worries – and also having fun! Tomorrow, it might be completely different, but it’s essential to always tell your fans the truth.
What are your future plans as a singer in Singapore?
There are a lot of new projects, songs and collaborations coming up. Now, with the reopening of clubs, gigs, live music and concerts, there is definitely a lot of that to do. One of the things I’m looking forward to the most is my concert on the 4th of June! I’ll perform some covers of my favourite artists and my originals as well. I’ll also be dancing with my crew – can’t wait!
Photography: Alessia Bulani (@alessia_bulani)
Follow Matilde G on Instagram and Facebook for details about her show on 4 June and other updates.
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