Gringo Soul - better known as Brandon Giannasi of Dallas, TX - is funky, soulful singer-songwriter. I recently sat down for a phone interview with Brandon to get a better sense of who he is, both as a person and as an artist. First and foremost, I inquired to Brandon how he came up with his performing name. "I was working with a group of Hispanic people, and they referred to white people as 'gringos,' he said. "The word 'gringo' just rang with me, so I just decided to roll with it." Next, I asked Brandon where he finds his musical inspiration. "I get most of my inspiration from the late and great Elvis, as well as Nirvana, Sublime, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and even from artists like Vincent Van Gogh.
In keeping with his performing name, Brandon tells me that he writes his songs about "being an average gringo" - the celebrations, the life lessons, hardships, and his growth as a musician. "Most of my creative thinking and lyrics writing come while I'm driving," says Brandon. "There's just something about it that gets me thinking and really gets my creative juices flowing." At 4 independent album releases and 34 songs to his credit, Brandon must do his fair share of driving. "On stage, I use my guitar, Korg Keyboard, loop pedal, K oscillator, and octopad. The crowd watching me perform get to see me set up each song using these components, and then I go into the song itself."
At this time of this interview, Brandon's been gearing up for The Trash Bash Music Stash - an event he's hosting on June 28th in Dallas. "It's a volunteer event where people will do a trash pick up on 3 streets here in Dallas," he says. "Once the pick up ends, there'll be a free concert with free drinks and food. And for anyone who doesn't feel like picking up garbage, tickets are also available for the concert for only $15."
I then asked Brandon if he could open for any band or artist, past or present, who would he want to play with. "Stone Temple Pilots," he says, "I have so much respect for the music they make. It would an honor for me to be able to play a show with them." Since Brandon has not had such an opportunity as of yet, he tells me that his favorite show he's played so far was at The Woodshed in nearby Fort Worth, TX. He tells me that at this show, he performed in front of around 500 attendees, all of whom seemed to respond well to and enjoy his music.
As a final thought, I asked Brandon what advice he might have for his fellow independent musicians. "If you're in a band and struggling to find an audience, or if you're interested in starting a band - if or when you get denied to play a venue or bar, you just need to stay strong. Get back up, and get on with your day."
In keeping with his performing name, Brandon tells me that he writes his songs about "being an average gringo" - the celebrations, the life lessons, hardships, and his growth as a musician. "Most of my creative thinking and lyrics writing come while I'm driving," says Brandon. "There's just something about it that gets me thinking and really gets my creative juices flowing." At 4 independent album releases and 34 songs to his credit, Brandon must do his fair share of driving. "On stage, I use my guitar, Korg Keyboard, loop pedal, K oscillator, and octopad. The crowd watching me perform get to see me set up each song using these components, and then I go into the song itself."
At this time of this interview, Brandon's been gearing up for The Trash Bash Music Stash - an event he's hosting on June 28th in Dallas. "It's a volunteer event where people will do a trash pick up on 3 streets here in Dallas," he says. "Once the pick up ends, there'll be a free concert with free drinks and food. And for anyone who doesn't feel like picking up garbage, tickets are also available for the concert for only $15."
I then asked Brandon if he could open for any band or artist, past or present, who would he want to play with. "Stone Temple Pilots," he says, "I have so much respect for the music they make. It would an honor for me to be able to play a show with them." Since Brandon has not had such an opportunity as of yet, he tells me that his favorite show he's played so far was at The Woodshed in nearby Fort Worth, TX. He tells me that at this show, he performed in front of around 500 attendees, all of whom seemed to respond well to and enjoy his music.
As a final thought, I asked Brandon what advice he might have for his fellow independent musicians. "If you're in a band and struggling to find an audience, or if you're interested in starting a band - if or when you get denied to play a venue or bar, you just need to stay strong. Get back up, and get on with your day."
About the Author:
Want to find out more about local bands like Gringo Soul, or how you can get your band featured on an interview like this? Visit Gorilla Music to find out more. Gringo Soul was scheduled to perform at this year's Dallas Music Festival, presented by Gorilla Music and Eagle One Entertainment.
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