Orange Pop: BLOK’s Gianna Gianna to issue new book at Detroit Bar release party this weekend

Posted: October 30, 2012 at 6:47 am


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Gianna Giannas second book of poetry is All Encompassing Vol. II. Photo: Leonard Ortiz, The Register

Gianna Gianna is truly never satisfied. The 22-year-old has made a name for herself locally as part of BLOK, the hip-hop/electronic trio that includes her two brothers, Damien Blaise and Jesse St. John. Shes a fearless performer, dancing and singing and rapping while sporting fierce fashions, dangerously high shoes and dramatic eye makeup.

Shes happy to have that outlet to express herself, yet the insatiable artist inside her craves more, she shared during a recent interview over nachos and coffee at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana.

Her eyes grew wide and she talked a great deal with her hands as she passionately described her latest endeavor, All Encompassing Vol. II, a second book of poetry and art that she will release with a party Saturday night at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. The free show will feature performances by BLOK, the Lovely Bad Things, Moon Pearl and some surprise guests. Gianna will not be reading from her book, but paper and hardback copies, published by DeadFaceMediaGroup, will be available for purchase.

I love the digital progressive movement, graphic design and multimedia all of that, she said in between sips, but I love having an actual, real, hard-copy book. Gianna released the first volume of poetry last year on her 21st birthday. The plan, she says, is to release a new edition each year to document her growth in art, philosophy, poetry and awareness.

My goal is to just continue to grow, she adds, almost with childlike wonder. I want to take in everything that I can and just be authentic. When I was working on this book, I didnt compare it to the last one. When I looked at the finished product, I myself could see the difference, and I hope other people can, too.

Gianna began writing poetry in grade school but it wasnt until she started working on verses for BLOK that brother Damien helped harness her free-flowing ideas. Poetry brought her back to reality, she says, joking about being someone who is kinda out-there. Her early works were inspired by spiritual activist and author Marianne Williamsons book A Return to Love, which she first read in 7th grade.

It really did blow my mind, she shares. I just remember being like, Oh my gosh, this is everything Ive been thinking, just written down! Then I researched people like Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle.

Growing up in Irvine, Gianna says her house was always filled with music and art. As the little sister, she watched her siblings creativity flourish and she wanted in on the action.

I just remember it all as being joyous, she says of her childhood. My dad was out of the picture at a very early age, but my mom is just so brilliant. She was so encouraging and put us all in acting, dancing, music, art. That gave us all such a well-rounded understanding of the arts as well as self-expression. Damien would always be creating beats, Jesse would be drawing and I would be writing. It was very nurturing and I just feel so fortunate.

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Orange Pop: BLOK’s Gianna Gianna to issue new book at Detroit Bar release party this weekend

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