We’ve all heard of the come-up story. Rags to riches. The rise of the underdog, whatever you want to call it. Seldom however, do you actually hear of the cognitive struggles around the process of being an artist. More relatively, an artist that is now trying to navigate a musical climate flipped on his head by a pandemic stricken world.

Recruiting longtime collaborator Kruff Kurtis, and Onehunga and SWIDT’s finest, INF, New Day offers the thematic reinforcement of what Gino October, and millions of musicians, artists and creatives experience daily. The managing of the failed attempts, mistakes, expectations, creative conflict, insecurity, anxiety, all components of the process that no one tells you about. “I know where I want to be, and I’m not quite there yet, and that’s okay, I’ve realised that this is all part of it...

”Arriving from Cape Town, South Africa as a 12yr old, Gino, in a sense, is still imposing those themes from his own emigration path. Acceptance, understanding and perseverance are all hammered home in this offering:“Some days I wake up relentless unyielding, other days waking up don’t seem appealing, But I still get up ‘cause momma never raised no quitter” New Day really circles back to a journey; For Gino, one that has origins of falling asleep to gunshots as a child, but started with his older brother recognising his talent and investing his own money to get his little brother the music equipment to take his talent to a new level.

Gino sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

My love for music comes from my parents, watching them play mo-town classics on vinyl records, and seeing them dance and sing along to their favourite songs.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Right now I’m going through an amazing discovery of Soul/funk music. I appreciate Hip-Hip/Rap more after taking a break from listening to it after I complete a project. It’s a weird process I go through before I start making new music again, just to cleanse the palate. So, artists that currently influence me are Charlie Wilson (The Gap Band), The Isley Brothers, Willie Hutch, Keni Burke, Kool & The Gang, Patrice Rushen and Zapp. Will I ever get a chance to work with them? I doubt it, but I’d love to because they made the music that influenced the artists, who influenced me.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

No live shows, events or festivals got cancelled or pushed back. As an emerging artist, it was difficult, but it didn’t stop me from making music at all. I make the best music when I’m by myself. I guess now that things are kind of getting back to normal in NZ, more shows should come my way. My dream is to tour the world, that’s obviously not happening anytime soon.

4. How would you describe your sound?

My sound is like a shot of coffee in the morning, the drums get you going but the lyrics make you reflect on your own goals/ambitions for the day.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I’m proud of myself for being original in my delivery. Having full creative control over my sound, topics and lyrics is why I started making music in the first place. I had something to say, and I wanted to say it the way it sounded like in my head.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Stay independent, employ the people around you to be your managers/promoters/sound engineers/etc. Get money with the people you came up with. Or, if you’re like me, and the people around you are being shaky, just do this shit yourself until the right people come around to help. But make sure they do what they say they’re going to do. Read your contracts carefully. You have to stay on top of things pertaining to your career, maintaining control of your career is essential to your well being, mentally and financially.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

Producers like Kruff Kurtis, Utility and Floyd Crib. Artists would be Warren Duncan, Phodiso, Mazbou Q, Simba and Bbydreco.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Mach-Hommy (Pray for Haiti)

Brent Fayaz (Fuck the World)

Frank Ocean (Blonde)

Childish Gambino (Awaken! My love)

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Spending time with my family, making memories with loved ones. I love going to gigs and watching artists perform new music live. It’s one of my favourite things to do, seeing someone break out of their shell and shine.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

• Water, because water is life.

• My Vape, (I know, I need to quit, but some of these flavours are so damn good!)

• My beverage, the type of beverage, depends on the time of day/night, usually a liquorice tea during the day, and in the evening a little rum never hurt anybody.

• Snacks and Fruits, M&Ms (Crispy), Shapes, Chips, Mandarin, kiwi fruit, feijoas, etc.