Gina Zo’s Rise from The Voice to Rock & Roll Glory with the Release of Her Band’s Self-Titled Debut, ‘Velvet Rouge’

Like a nomad, there’s so many places to go and people to see. As the sun beats down on the asphalt streets of Los Angeles, amidst the smog-filled skyline, the scent of coffee wafts through the neighborhood, mingling with the aroma of bacon sizzling on grills at roadside diners, all underscored by the pulsating rhythm of an eclectic mix of music seeping from open windows and cruising vehicles. Gina Zo, lead singer of rock band Velvet Rouge, in her ‘60s psychedelic home casually remarked, “This is not a “screw every man on this planet” album – which is something that I usually write about.” Zo, having moved across the country to LA — took some time today to soak in the chaotic energy of the city. When asked about her hometown. Her eyes light up with nostalgia. “West Chester is where it all began for me,” says Zo with a smile. “It’s where I had my first kisses, where I formed my band, where I got my first apartment. It’s where I discovered who I truly am.” But perhaps the most poignant moment came when Gina Zo revealed that it was in West Chester that she learned she was bisexual. “It was a moment of self-discovery that changed my life forever,” she reflects. “And I will always be grateful to my hometown for allowing me to embrace my true self.”

Reflecting on her new sound and direction, she made a silent vow to trust in her instincts, to embrace her vulnerabilities, and to let go of the need for external validation. “This is about the inner conversations we have with ourselves,” she paused, reflecting on the twisted dance of self-talk and how it shapes our perception and beliefs. “And I think that is going to impact people in a brand new way.” With a rash, devil-may-care attitude and a hint of mischief in her eyes, it was clear that Gina Zo was ready to dive headfirst into the wild and unpredictable, psychedelic, drug-fueled, “brotopia” — a testosterone-amped, adrenaline-pumping, sex-crazed, rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster of the music industry. And like the Nicks-Welch lovechild of the new, modern age era, who knows what kind of hell she might find along the way?

Women, women, WOMEN! Hell hath no fury like a woman with a heart and soul scorned. Stevie Nicks with her ethereal voice and captivating stage presence, Florence Welch, with her raw emotion and fearless creativity, And Norah Jones, with her smooth, soulful melodies and timeless elegance — these are the muses that fuel her fire and inspire the wild words to her pen and pad. In a world where women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues are still fighting for equal representation and recognition, Gina Zo stands out as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment. The talented, glitz and glamor, singer-songwriter uses her platform to advocate for these important causes, using her music as a tool to spark conversations and ignite change. Social justice is evident in her lyrics, which often touch on themes of empowerment, equality, and standing up for what is right. With a fierce and unapologetic philosophy instilled in her by the timeless artists who came before her, she expressed her desire to remind people that women are a force to be reckoned with, and that they will not back down in the face of adversity. “We don’t sit back and assume that everything is okay – we ask questions, we push for change, and we want to be heard,” Zo stated. “I think that is something I push for in my lyrics and I hope people never stop taking that message away when they listen. I just want to inspire change.”

When she was just a wide-eyed 17-year-old, Gina Zo stepped into the bright lights and cameras of reality television, but little did she know the wild ride that awaited her. Auditioning for “The Voice” was just a lark, a whimsical passage on her path to rock stardom. But what she found was far beyond her wildest teenage dreams. “It truly gave me confidence that I did not expect to have,” she reminisces, the memories swirling in her mind like a psychedelic whirlwind. “I went on the show as kind of a fun moment, something to do to test out my music career. The thing is I was 17 so I didn’t really have expectations but what I got out of it was more than I could have expected.” In the unscripted action of reality TV, Zo found herself transformed, her raw talent burning hotter than the illuminated lights of the Hollywood sign. And as she rides the treacherous waves of fame and fortune, she emerges victorious, a true survivor in a world gone mad. “It made me realize the uniqueness in my voice and personality was absolutely something America could love,” she says with a smile.

As it turns out, the EP’s first single, ‘Lonely Since The Day We Met,’ bleeds out a deep sorrow, like a dagger to the heart, revealing the painful truth that one’s soul has been wandering in solitude since the day they first crossed paths with their supposed lover. It’s a sobering reminder that instead of facing the harsh realities of one’s solitude, we’ve been clinging to a facade of companionship, masking the loneliness that has plagued us since day one. Listeners are taken on a thrilling, yet jaunt exploration of self-discovery and liberation. This is not just a catchy, pop record, but an introducing of a hardline; a poignant reflection of being naked in a water baptism, connecting us with our earliest bodily memories in the womb — the fragility of human connection and the important devastating consequences of settling for less than we deserve — forcing us to confront our own inner demons and break free from toxic relationships that only serve to deepen our sense of isolation. “I told a boyfriend of mine at the time,” said Gina Zo, “I think I wanted to start singing again.” He said ‘but what will I do while you rehearse?’ Which led Zo to break up with him and start her music again. And so, in a blaze of defiance and determination, she left behind the confines of a relationship that stifled her creativity and embraced the freedom to pursue her passion once more. The echoes of his doubt only fueled Gina Zo’s fire, propelling her forward on a path of self-discovery and artistic expression. Through its evocative storytelling and soul-stirring melodies, it becomes clear that the loneliest place to be is in the arms of someone who was never meant to hold you close. And as Zo belted out her first notes on stage, she knew that this was where she truly belonged — in a world where her voice could soar unrestricted, unapologetically rouged.

Gina Zo, who had recently come out as bisexual, was using her platform to encourage others to embrace their true selves and live unapologetically; a rising pop-rock star from Blake Shelton’s The Voice on NBC to pop, rock & roll glory with the release of Philadelphia’s hottest rock band’s upcoming July 26th self-titled EP ‘Velvet Rouge,’ credits her grandparents and iconic bands such as the dark, mystical enchantment of Fleetwood Mac for shaping her musical journey. As eloquent and captivating as ever a traveler, Zo went behind the scenes with Out Front Magazine for an epic early-morning chat. She expressed her affirmation for artists with long and impactful careers, hoping to emulate their success. Zo, fondly reminisced about dancing to ‘60s and ‘70s records in her grandparents’ basement, where she discovered the power of a vinyl player — a connection greater than herself — to fashion one’s identity and creativity. “Their influence is in my songwriting, in the way I carry myself, and how I approach art in general,” said Zo. “Your art should be in every part of your being – they taught me that.” With this mindset, Gina Zo is poised to leave a lasting innovative mark on the pop music industry of cool with her own unique sound and style.

Velvet Rouge’s self-titled EP, helmed by the collaborative duo known for their raw emotion and unfiltered honesty with the likes of War On Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, and Dr. Dog, Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, serves as a poignant homage to the bygone alley days of early 2000s pop and ‘90s rock. Each track on this Extended Play delves deep into one of life’s essential elements, with ‘Lonely Since The Day We Met’ representing Earth, ‘Trial’ exploring space, ‘I Don’t Know Why’ embodying Air/Wind, ‘Shattered, igniting the fire within, and ‘When Did I Become’ flowing like water. This 5-track EP is a personal masterpiece through the elements that make us who we are, delivered with a gritty edge that harkens back to the glory days of rock music. Strap in folks, because the prelude curtain opening of Velvet Rouge is about to take you on a musical performance you won’t soon forget. As Gina Zo puts it, “Let’s all be beautiful, energetic, and our truest selves.”