On May 2nd, we showcased bilingual Latin-folk singer/songwriter Gina Chavez for the third event in our Mood Live Series!
Each month, we partner with our friends at the Austin Music Foundation to host an intimate performance at our favorite neighborhood spot, the Mean Eyed Cat. The featured artists are part of AMF’s inaugural Artist Development Program, which provides advanced-level business education, expert mentoring, and high-visibility opportunities for a select group of rising local talent. One of the high visibility opportunities is the chance to perform for our Music Design team (as well as Mood employees and industry influencers) and have their music included in our programming (which reaches 150 million people daily).
Gina Chavez was joined by Michael Romero (trumpet, synth, vocals), Kenneth Null (bass) and Jerry Ronquillo (percussion). They kicked off the explosive set with “Miles de Millas” from Gina’s latest album Up.Rooted (which was voted Album of the Year at the 2015 Austin Music Awards). She took it back to her 2007 album, Hanging Spoons, for the tune “Embrujo” before returning the focus to Up.Rooted with songs like “Maíz,” “Fire Water,” “Gotta Get” and “Siete-D.” The set had a bit of a “storytellers” feel, as Gina paused between songs to talk about exploring her Latin roots to record a bilingual album and how her global travels have influenced her music. She’s currently writing for her next album and she shared a pair of new songs with us, “She Persisted” and “Your Shape.” You can watch the performance of “Your Shape” below. We know you’ll be singing along by the end…
As soon as the set was over, Gina was surrounded by Mood employees who were blown away by her performance. She happily sold and signed copies of Up.Rooted and posed for photos. It’s safe to say she made many new fans that day. One new fan includes Mood’s CEO, Steve Richards.
Once the crowd thinned, we talked with Gina about her experience in AMF’s Artist Development Program, how the local music community inspires her, and her excitement to share new songs with her audience.
We thoroughly enjoyed showcasing the amazingly talented Gina Chavez and her band. Click HERE to learn more about Gina’s music, the impressive awards she’s won, and all the good she’s doing in the world. We especially recommend you check out the work she’s doing with Niñas Arriba, a scholarship she founded with her partner to provide education opportunities to young women in El Salvador.
As always, major thanks goes to our friends at Austin Music Foundation, LoudMouth Rentals and Mean Eyed Cat for all of their support. Catch up on our first two Mood Lives with Jane Ellen Bryant and Charlie Faye & The Fayettes. Keep an eye out for an announcement about next month’s artist!
– Submitted by Jessica Reed and Brad Bond, Marketing