Little Mighty Gigi Ricci
Gigi’s enthralling eyes
There’s something powerful about women frankly expressing their sexuality and doing it loud enough for the world to hear it. Lords of Acid has had a revolving roster of amazing female lead vocalists: Ruth McArdle (a.k.a. Lady Galore and Cherrie Blue), Deborah Ostrega, Nikkie Van Lierop (a.k.a. Jade 4U and Darling Nikkie), Mea Fisher (a.k.a. DJ Méa), and Marieke Bresseleers. Founder Praga Khan knows music and he knows a great vocalist when he hears one (if you don’t know he was “one of the leading pioneers of the new beat/acid house/techno electronic dance music scene that originated in Belgium”). I’m sure that I’m not the only one longing for a new LOA album, and eagerly anticipating a new front vocalist. With the exception of last year's Beyond Booze album, which was a remix album, The Lords hadn’t released anything since 2018's Pretty in Kink. But it looks like The Lords are gearing up to do it again.
The day that Gigi Ricci followed my Instagram profile, naturally I was skeptical of her account being authentic when I saw her bio and it said that she was a vocalist for Lords of Acid. I figured she was just another hot chick looking to scam an unwitting public. Turned out she was the real thing and fortunate for me because I was able to reach out to her for an interview and ask her a few questions about her career as well as her plans and aspirations.
Praise the Lords!
Singers normally begin singing at a very young age. How old were you when you started? Were you one of those singers who started out in their church choir?
I grew up in a music-loving gypsy family so singing was in my blood. I can’t imagine my daddy other than singing whilst simultaneously playing the piano. My mama….. she loved to dance. Dancing was in her blood. I inherited my interest in music and dance from my parents. I always wanted to be a star! I’m 24 years old right now, a year ago I met Praga Khan and Inja from ‘Lords of Acid” the ball started rolling…
Before joining the Lords of Acid, were you familiar with their music; were you a fan?
I can tell my daddy had a relationship with a former LOA singer so their music wasn’t unknown to me.
How did you come to be the vocalist for Lords of Acid? And what did it feel like when you were chosen for the role?
A mutual acquaintance introduced me to Praga Khan, Praga was looking for a new singer for the new album and asked me if I was interested. I immediately said yes and I felt so lucky and excited to get this chance and being a part of the band, being on stage with the Lords it is fucking amazing!
Your friends and family must have been beside themselves when you were chosen. Yes?
Yes, they’re very proud of me!
Do you normally listen to techno? What genres of music interest you?
When I go out I prefer techno parties to lose control and make fun all night long, but the music I used to listen to is punk, hard rock, metal… I feel a connection with this kind of music. This is my medicine for being happy and losing some anger.
Gigi on her throne
What about dancing? You’re part of a band that makes some of the best dance music on the planet.
That’s a fact! I love to dance… To express myself and my emotions with whole my body; when the crowd cheers it gives me the best feeling ever!
How much do you relate to LOA songs?
I can empathize with the songs very well, I lived in Amsterdam for a while. The dissolute metropolis guarantees freedom, acceptance, and diversity. Amsterdam was the ideal city for me to plunge into nightlife and discover my sexuality. I came into contact with drugs at the age of 16. After years of fighting my addiction, with trial and error, I eventually was able to close this chapter in my life and became sober. It truly was hell, that’s true, but now I see it as a part of my journey, a phase where I came out stronger. I think I’m a great fit for the band!
You’re a model, performer, and singer; which of these aspirations came first?
I started as a model when I came back from Amsterdam I met the well-known fashion photographer ‘Dave Gronnesby’ who asked me to consider a career as a fashion model. Not much later I made my first debut on the catwalk and grew into one of the fashion world’s rising stars. But I felt like this is not for me. I was a wild child, a free spirit. The modeling world, on the other hand, is very superficial and can be felt as a model. As a model, you are like a mannequin without an opinion. You can feel that as a person you don’t really matter.
Which one of those professions do you spend the most time doing?
Singing and performing on stage and ofc the rehearsals, soon the new album.. photoshoots once a while (smiles)
What kind of modeling are you into: runway, print, or independent?
Print modeling. There's something about striking a pose and seeing it immortalized in stunning photographs.
Do the clothes you’ve modeled for the shots on your Instagram your personal style, or do you have a different kind of style altogether?
I like latex, glitter, studs, spikes biker jackets, leather but also silk, and more classic styles… My taste is diverse just like my taste for men (laughter). On my Instagram I show the real me, so you’ll get to know me as the singer of Lords of Acid and Gigi the gypsy hedonist who wants to have fun and make everyone crazy about her. I like the attention, I love my fans and their support.
Gigi in her blonde phase
So now you’re the face of Lords of Acid, you’re their new vocalist, and I’ve read on your Instagram that you’ve been practicing your band’s classic songs. How is that coming, or are you done already?
I know all the songs, I’m a good student.
Has the band started recording anything with you yet? Are there plans to record this year?
Absolutely! In August we start recording the LOA new album. So excited!
I believe I read somewhere that there’s an LOA USA tour coming up. True?
The management is working on the routing of the US tour as we speak. I am so looking forward to meeting our fans in the US. That’s gonna be amazing.
What does the rest of 2023 look like for you? What are you expecting and what do you want to see happen?
In Fall there’s gonna be some more concerts in Europe. For the rest, I will be working on the new album from LOA, and … Let’s say that I just go with the flow and see what’s happening, expect the unexpected.
List for us your top ten favorite songs rn.
Rubberdoll
LSD = TRUTH
Crab Louse
Sit on Acid
Rough Sex/Take control
You Belong to Me
Pussy
Voodoo U
Scrood Bi U
Spank my Booty
Follow Gigi Ricci on Instagram, shop for Lords of Acid music and merch, and follow the band on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
All photographs by Dave Groennesby unless otherwise noted
