We had a chat with UK based pop artist Gina Tanzer about her stellar new single ‘I Love a Man in Puka Shells’, her unique double life, and exciting future plans
Her unique perspective of being both corporate and creative affords UK based artist Gina Tanzer as something of a distinctive appeal as a modern artist, balancing both worlds and embracing the differences and contrasts that come with each of them that make her such a compelling and engrossing double threat.
The artist’s latest single ‘I Love a Man in Puka Shells’ is a track that explores some of the pitfalls of dating in the corporate world, often having to put her career and ambitions first rather than immersing herself within the dating scene and being distracted by it. The swaggering and fun tone of her sound and the catchy poppy charm make for a track that lulls you in and captivates you for a number of reasons, and the slick and charismatic allure that Gina possesses feels magnetic throughout. We love the new release, and with more work in the pipeline for the artist, we figured that there was no better time to get better acquainted with Gina Tanzer and find out some more about her story and future plans.
Who TF is Gina Tanzer?
Gina Tanzer is a Pop Singer-Songwriter and Producer living in London. Born and raised in South Africa to a Portuguese mother and Austrian Father. She is currently focussed on releasing a series of creative works in 2024-2025 which bring out the very ethos that she stands for – embracing being a combination of the unexpected, in her case being both a corporate and a creative. Gina’s music career started in South Africa where she was featured in the Cape Times, Sunday Times, local radio stations and represented South Africa in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles. After taking home the gold medal, Overall Category Awards and receiving a scholarship to the New York Film Academy, Gina went on to further hone her craft and creativity – drawing inspiration from influences such as Jon Bellion, ELIO, Griff and Imagine Dragons. The artist currently works at a top Investment Bank and is pursuing her two passions – music and business. She now returns to the music scene with a fresh sonic vision and energetic drive to share it with the world.
How long have you been making music?
According to my mum I’ve been singing since around age 3 or since I could talk lol. Writing came later, I remember I used to have this radio where I’d crawl up next to it and listen to the pop songs of the 90’s. I’d steal these special queue cards from my dad’s office and write the lyrics out line by line (this was before Google existed and you couldn’t just find lyrics online). So this is how I fell in love with the lyrical part of songwriting and then playing the guitar and piano came a couple years later. Creating melodies I think has always there, I have always been one to hum and sing little riffs while multi tasking on something else.
Why do you make music?
I love getting lost in stories, particularly through movies, series and books. I found that same pleasure in writing songs and creating the wildest stories within. I find it cathartic.
What are your biggest influences?
I am obsessed with Jon Bellion and Elio, the ear candy and electronic elements in their music gets me every time. Imagine dragons I listen to a lot and get ideas for percussion. Griff was a massive influence which lead to me becoming a bedroom producer. Lyrics, I mean Taylor Swift queen of lyrics obviously but also Jon Bellion again. There is this one line in his song “Guillotine” that goes “there’s bones in my closet but you hang stuff anyway” gives me goosebumps each time.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
Singing at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles was definitely a massive highlight, but actually more recently I would say the release party for my latest single “I Love a Man in Puka Shells” – everyone in the crowd was singing back the lyrics of the song and it was just all around good vibes the whole evening.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Pop music with ear candy, percussion and sassy use of silence.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
Opening for one of my influences
We love your singles ‘How About Now’ and ‘I Love a Man In Puka Shells’, what more can you tell us about them?
“How About Now” was actually one of my OG singles written and recorded when I was 16 in South Africa. I never properly released it at the time but decided it’s never too late so I shared it with the world in June this year.
“I Love a Man in Puka Shells” is the first song in my latest project and in fact the first song where I have played the roles of singer, songwriter and producer – so it is a massive milestone for me. It started as a catchy loop but then transformed into this entire mood where women are the ones that play the game, being nonchalant, knowing what they want in life but regardless just enjoying their era of having fun. It’s a Summer inspired track and a sort of nod to the London Summer dating scene.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
More music releases are on the way! I am planning to drop my next one in September. I am working up to an EP release next year and actually I have also taken up DJ-ing as a hobby on the side so I look forward to channelling the skills and sounds I learn there and bringing them into my music.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Easy answer my mom or my best friend but in fact my work colleagues have been so incredible in supporting my music, which means so much coming from the industry we work in (finance). It brings me back to my entire ethos of being a “corporate creative”, daring to do something totally outside of the box and aspiring to lead a life that is your own, feeling totally in your own skin.
