Girl-A: No Rules, Just Music
The Origin:
INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA
MARCH 18th., 2025
Girl-A is a creative force built on underground influences, and an unfiltered approach to artistry. The collective, made up of producer/singer Saint, songwriter/vocalist Cross, and other collaborators, (Aiko, 9nar1y, Adrian , & June) blends elements of Witch House, dance, and alternative sounds to carve out a space that feels both chaotic and intentional.
In this conversation, I sit down with Saint and Cross to discuss the origins of Girl-A, the creative chemistry that fuels their work, and how their sound continues to evolve. From the influence of SALEM to the process of making music as an escape, they open up about what drives them, their upcoming projects, and what they hope listeners take away from their art.
What follows is an unfiltered look into the minds of two artists who are shaping something entirely their own—without worrying about fitting into anyone else’s expectations.
Saint: “Hello I’m Saint, I’m the producer/singer for girl. 1/4 of GIRL-A.”
Cross: “Hi I’m Pain, one of the members from Girl-A I just write sometimes and sing and occasionally rap but it’s awful lol I also sometimes design and film.”
Emily Arauza: “Y’all have such a multidisciplinary approach to creativity, which is always interesting to me. With Girl-A, how did this whole thing come together? Was it intentional, or did it just kind of happen organically?”
C: “It kinda just happened you know and then I’ve had the name Girl-A in the back of my mind from this internet famous thing that happened back in the 2000s so we needed a name so I told saint Girl-A and he liked it. Me and Saint have known each other for a couple years now. That's why I said, it's like the red string theory and we just came together and talked on the phone for an hour and it went from there.”
S: “I still remember how the FaceTime call went, when we first started Girl-A.”
EA: “That’s crazy, like it was meant to happen. The red string theory is a cool way to put it. So when y’all finally connected and started working together, did the creative chemistry click instantly, or did it take some time to figure out your dynamic?”
C: “NO! It went horribly wrong. We used an old school SALEM beat that’s the reason why we started Girl-A because of SALEM but no it was bad we both didn’t know what we were doing and it was the first time we met back in November.”
EA: “Honestly, a lot of the best things start out messy. So what kept y’all going after that first disaster? Was it just the mutual love for SALEM, or did something click along the way that made you realize, “Yeah, this could actually work”?”
C: “SALEM to be honest, and then we didn’t make anything for a min then Saint made a beat and I wrote lyrics and I was like ok this could work so a mix of both.”
EA: “Makes sense—sometimes you just need that one moment where it all starts making sense. Since SALEM was such a big influence from the start, would you say their sound still plays a role in what you’re making now, or has Girl-A evolved into something completely different?”
S: “Yes because, every single one of my beats starts off as a Salem type of beat, the loud screechy deep Reese bass is always the foundation to every single one of my beats and from there I mold it into something completely different, every day I’m evolving our sound.”
C: “Most definitely and I mean it’s like we don’t make the original Witchhouse but we have some just not out yet but we most definitely did evolve into something different but I think it’s beautiful because we still love SALEM and appreciate their music for what they have done and shown me and Saint and not to copy or glaze, but their aesthetic is similar to ours we like the Midwest goth aesthetic like I lived in a town like that.”
EA: “Yeah, that evolution sounds natural. It’s clear that you and Saint aren’t just replicating but rather shaping something distinct while keeping that deep-rooted influence. That balance between appreciation and innovation is what keeps a sound alive instead of just repeating history. But beyond just the sound—did you two find the love for music first, or did the process of creating and evolving it make you fall in love with it over time? Was there a moment that made either one of you realize this was it for you?”
S: “For me, it’s really everything, ever since I was little music was around me all the time , both my uncles taught me how to play the drums at a very young age, I even had a small drum set, i would perform for my family, I always knew I wanted to make music, be a performer, I wanted to do it all. The process of making music is what also made me fall in love, it’s just you and your thoughts, I love getting lost in my own creativity, I get no sleep sometimes, it’s all worth it though because I wake up to a crazy beat I made.”
C: “For real shoutout Salem. But for me I think I always loved music. My grandpa showed me guitar and my mom and dad showed me all types of music: rock, rap , funk etc. I have many inspo but I think what made me love making music was writing it, getting all my feelings out then putting it in Saint’s beats and just being able to do that was a beautiful gift for me. Funny thing is I still don’t know if this is for me, I just enjoy it. Not a lot of things make me happy or keep me busy and not bored but this is far I like doing it everyday, mainly the writing.”
EA: “That’s real, both of you have such organic beginnings with music, and it’s clear it’s more than just a craft; it’s a release, an extension of who you are. Saint, that image of you as a kid with a drum set performing for family is crazy full-circle. It’s like music was always waiting for you, and now you’re just deep in the process, no sleep, just chasing that next sound. And Pain, your perspective is raw, how writing and getting those emotions out is what really made you love it. The fact that you’re not even sure if this is the thing for you, but it’s what keeps you from being bored, what keeps you engaged every day—that’s totally different. Sometimes, the things we don’t overthink, the things that just feel right in the moment, end up being the most real. So, with all that said—what’s next? Where do you see your sound evolving, and what’s driving you to keep creating right now?.”
C: “Thank you that truly means a lot to me and Saint your words really cut deep then any blade no Naruto pun either. As far as what’s next is just keep growing our sound and making cool stuff we like that we make we don’t really care if no one else likes it you know, as long as we do and we got our EP “Girl Music” coming soon. Tomorrow we are dropping my single “Sky” and we are working on all platforms and more music videos. I see our sound evolving into dance but also Witch House soon. And honestly Saint can answer this himself but what’s driving me is like not to get to deep I’m not a sad person but someone who feels alone even when people around and things eat me up at night me making this Girl-A stuff writing and singing it’s literally a escape for me to get all my emotions the good I’ve done to me and people and also the bad. I don’t see us stopping anytime soon.”
S: “What drives me is the feeling, I love creating, the feeling after making a beat is unmatched, it’s all I have going for me, nothing will ever make me feel the way making music makes me feel, there’s so many sounds, words and ideas in my head, I wanna give people a peak at what’s going on inside it, i see it like a canvas, I’m painting a world with the music, I never wanna stop.”
EA: “That’s a beautiful way to put it, like building a whole world through sound. It’s crazy how music can be both deeply personal and something you share with others at the same time. That’s real, and I respect that mindset—just making what you love without worrying about outside opinions. That’s how the best art happens. “Sky” dropping tomorrow is big, and an EP on the way? Y’all are really moving. Witchhouse mixed with dance sounds like a crazy evolution too. And Pain, I hear you on that—sometimes creating is the only way to process everything. I get that completely—that’s how I approach writing my books too. There’s something about putting emotions into art that makes them easier to carry, like turning all the chaos into something tangible.”
S: “We’re all going through something in life especially with people around this age, nobody knows what they want to do with their lives, it’s hard out here, I want people to let loose and dance it all away and forget with us whenever we perform.”
C: “Yeah if you wanna do something, never care about what others think, but learn to take criticism. If it’s bad or good listen to yourself if you don’t you may not get far sometimes but what do I know I’m just a random dude from a town no one even knows of in Houston, and yes sky tomorrow ep soon and heck yeah Witchhouse mixed with dance about to make people wanna get freaky on the dance floor. Exactly I agree with you about every way possible so many minds this age I wanna say 18-25 are stuck just find something to do something God has given you something on this earth saying this is what we got for you kid try your best, you know, just don’t stop. Make it happen just lose yourself in the moments you have and tell your people you love them.”
EA: “That’s real. It’s like y’all aren’t just making music. You’re creating a space for people to let go, even if it’s just for a moment. And that’s something people need, especially in this age range when everything feels uncertain. I love that mindset too—trusting yourself, taking criticism when it helps, but never letting doubt stop you. That mix of Witchhouse and dance definitely sounds like something that’s gonna pull people in. Also, I’d like to ask if people remember about Girl-A, what would it be?”
C: “Don’t remember us at all, just listen me Saint, Aiko, 9nar1y even Adrian and June we are just normal people making things we enjoy just be glad it happened when it’s one of our times to go to the next life and yeah we try to make things that people can relate too because it’s raw coming from us. Or to be funny maybe the Girl-A memes people have been making. Especially people in the Houston scene, the memes they make are funny.”
EA: “That’s a profound perspective—focusing on creating rather than being remembered. Before we close, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to anyone pursuing their own creative path, whether in music, writing, or any other art form?”
S: “Create, and keep creating, it doesn’t matter if it’s bad or not, you get so many points for just creating, you will eventually find your niche and style.”
C: “I don’t wanna be remembered personally but before I give advice I just wanna say thank you so much for this and shoutout to
Girl-A all members
Me
Saint
Aiko
9nar1y
Adrian
June
And shoutout SALEM AND DGNR8
And my family and few friends
But honestly no matter what you are doing this goes out to everyone even houston scene rn just don’t stop I know the scene is kinda blah but it’s still beautiful if you are making music,clothes,art etc etc just don’t stop don’t listen to haters and most definitely don’t be a egotistically lame like some of these internet ppl be humbled but know your worth just make things for yourself yk and enjoy
Do something paint painting start milk factory it’s ok to have a 9-5 just be you and in the words of nilo
Win or lose stands for something. Other than that Arizona in April.”
