“I would pretend to be a pop star in my room, and a normal girl outside”
Now in its second year, the Gibson Artist Spotlight program showcases an evolving roster of musical talent across Gibson channels globally. Following recent additions AfroDiziac, Charli Adams, and Yasser Tejeda, the latest artist to join the Gibson Artist Spotlight ranks is Shanghai-born Los Angeles transplant, PIAO. Recent Berklee graduate and multi-instrumentalist, PIAO has worked with talented artists and producers like T-Pain and Marianas Trench to help amplify her vision and build her musical repertoire. We caught up with her to find out more.
How would you describe your music?
“Something you would hear at a bug club, a rodent book store… and sometimes at a wizard bakery.”
What is your favorite piece of gear?
“The J-45 is a must. I got it two years ago. I love the whimsical magic it brings to my music. Immediate obsession, certified fairy, and I think K.K. Slider would agree. If my music was bread, the J-45 is the butter. And I love the Epiphone Wilshire! When I’m on the road, the worst is carrying heavy gear. The Wilshire is light, small, and so cute! I love how proportionate it is with the even horns on the body. A staple in my shows! When I’m playing the black and white Wilshire, sometimes I imagine I am a hamster playing one big sunflower seed.
“The Gibson SG deserves an honorable mention! I’ve played it a few times on tour and at my first music festival. Also relatively small and easy to deal with! I played a shiny blue/turquoise/green one and I think about her often.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
“Touring, playing my first festival, making music videos with my best friends… everything stands out to me. I can’t decide. I will say though, once a fan traded their Porter Robinson merch for mine since I couldn’t go to his show as our tours overlapped each other. That was pretty amazing. Every day is a highlight when I get to write and create for a living.”
What would be your dream artist or producer collaboration, and why?
“Miley Cyrus. Hannah Montana was the reason I started singing. I would pretend to be a pop star in my room, and a normal girl outside. I think if I got to work with Miley, that would truly be a milestone in ‘The Climb.‘”
What does being part of the Gibson Artist Spotlight program mean to you?
“It means I get to bring my dog to the Gibson showroom and hang out with all the Gibson team and dogs! Serious note though, it means I get the best backline support! I feel so taken care of by the Gibson team. This is my eternal after-school band club.”
What’s next on the horizon for you?
“I released a very special film around my most recent EP, IMYSM. It’s so so very special to me and I would say it explains why I’m always talking about hamsters—my grief coping mechanism. I would love for you to see it. I worked with some of my bestest friends. But I am writing a lot these days. I toured much of last year and the juices have brewed. New music is coming…”
Visit PIAO’s Gibson Artist Spotlight profile or follow her on Instagram for more.
