Physics stipulates that Dark Stars only implode. Giovanna is the exception to that rule. Having already been enlisted by Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale and King Charles, Giovanna is in high demand. But she’s not taking to Communion and becoming part of that alt-folk scene. This is an altogether more intense experience. There’s no songs about the harvest backed with whimsical bodhrán and bouzoukis. These are tales from a life that’s all too real, broken yet uplifting, delivered by a homegrown talent that stands head and shoulders above her contemporaries. From the age of five she’s been playing classical on the piano, and has developed into a songwriter, performer, vocalist, and producer. Big brother Winston Marshall is multi instrumentalist and vocalist in Mumford & Sons, so she’s seen at close hand how things can blow up. Giovanna is far into the album making process having found her artistic home at Mi7 Records – their non-conformist views sit well with her headspace and sound. The label also found and developed labelmate and collaborator King Charles (Mi7/Island Records). Her Mother is her ‘rock’ – an antique dealer and has thankfully recovered from cancer. Her background is equally as interesting, being part Italian, Hungarian, English, Scottish, Irish and French. All potent ingredients for this cerebral songwriter. It’s early days in her career, but you get the impression she’s already writing some of her best work. And what of Giovanna as a person. Well, her music would appear to be a reflection of her character. As hooky as she is understated, fragile yet intensely driven, innocent yet troubled.
