Interview with Gina And The Eastern Block

How do you usually write the lyrics of your songs?

Life writes the lyrics. I hoard lined paper notebooks, all full of ideas. Some born to live, some born to die. Some of the ideas that I don’t finish right away do eventually progress and blossom into songs. All my lyrics are based off of real life stuff; both good and bad. I usually write them fully, in the heat of the moment during those inspired events.

What is the best verse you ever wrote?

Funny enough it’s probably the verses from very first song ever recorded by Gina And The Eastern Block called “I’m feeling dumb”. I was going thru a really traumatic situation, so the words just spilled out. Maybe we should re- release it!

What was the soundtrack to your childhood?

Salt ‘n Peppa, Marilyn Manson, Bone Thugs ‘n Harmony and Janet Jackson. So weird I know.. as a dancer I was constantly exposed to such a wide range of music to match my wide range of training. Classical in ballet, Sappy pop songs in lyrical & modern, classic show tunes or anything Pop and hot for Jazz, fun and dirty street for hip hop! Any genre honestly. If I could dance to it I knew it I liked it. Plus my Dad is a full time rock musician and authentic blues man. He literally recorded in our basement next to my bedroom. So that style was prominent and is probably why I gravitate towards “gritty” sounding beats and sounds.

What inspired “I love you I hate you?

“I love you I hate you”. It’s really a song for anyone who’s ever been in love. You know the stupid games people play in relationships? Going back and forth and back and forth and wasting so much valuable time on nothing at all. Wasting time when all you really want to do is just love each other. You drive each other crazy yet love so much. It’s about that feeling of “love” and that feeling of becoming a boarder line psycho. Girls are easier to be emotionally bounced all over the place. Men not so much.

And “Sippin’ on a Forty”?

“Sippin’ on a Forty” came to us at a house party in the Hollywood Hills at our friend Steven Slate’s house (he’s a big time audio guy….. name drop). It’s a lipstick lesbian, day drinking anthem. Marc was playing a kind of country riff of Steven’s acoustic and we just began singing the words (that eventually became the verses). That one wrote itself.

What is your favorite Sunday morning record?

Sunday mornings are for Reggae in our household. Nothing too aggressive, chill and easy to vibe with.

Are you ever scared of revealing, aspects of your personal experience, to strangers through your music?

Scared? Not so much. But that’s the power of writing. It can be in code. I don’t have to reveal every detail to get the gist across. I can write symbolically or in metaphors so nobody knows exactly what I am talking about.

Do you remember the day you wrote “Big Black Van“?

I do remember writing Big Black Van. Not the exact day but the period of time. I was clearly over it…

What is the best show you ever played?

So many good shows. Each one gets better too! Our most punk rock shows are the most fun. I like when things get messy and chaotic. When Marc is pissed off and throwing cymbals… when our guitar player trips over my fallen mic stand and keeps playing on the ground. Or when I completely soak myself in my 40 oz and the audience goes nuts. Those are the best shows. I think our best shows recently were in Kansas City at Aftershock and in Portland, OR at Bossanova Ballroom. We brought it.

What are you planning for 2018? Maybe a new album?

The future is looking great for us. Loads of touring later this year. We have been in the “factory” brewing up some new music. One song will blow minds! It’s VERY in your face with a strong and powerful message. Cannot wait to see people’s reactions when they hear it!