Gina Acuna
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Contact: Gina Acuna, 323-664-0315; gacuna7@aol.com
The Players: Gina Acuna, lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Ken Smith, lead guitar; Steve Siefert, bass; Becky Heath, drums, percussion; Dana Seifert, keyboards.
Material: Fate’s Hand is a folk band disguised as a rock band; not that there’s anything wrong with that. Although the band’s “feel my pain” songs of bad love and endless yearning paint them into a thematic corner, songwriter Gina Acuna gets an A for effort. Her strummy acoustic ballads are heartfelt and honest.
Musicianship: Acuna has taken music that would fit nicely in an intimate coffee house setting and beefed it up with the aid of an extremely competent band. Bassist Steve Siefert grooves efficiently and provides ballsy solos. Dana Seifert on keyboards fills out the overall sound choosing sonic textures over noodling, while drummer Becky Heath adds rhythmic sophistication.
Ace guitarist Ken Smith provides tasty counterpoint and feisty solos, but is shackled by the harmonic limitations of the compositions. Fearless leader Acuna, a rock-steady acoustic player, suffered intermittent pitch problems but it didn’t matter. When she sings, you can tell she means it.
Performance: Fate’s Hand delivered the goods for their fans and obviously attracted some new fans as well. Precariously sandwiched between a night of Eighties-rock tribute bands, Acuna boldly and confidently led her well-rehearsed outfit to victory, winning over some of the toughest headbangers in the room.
Summary: Gina Acuna and company are a good live band with its own special vibe and flavor. By further developing her songwriting, Acuna will most certainly rise to the next level. Branching out thematically and adding harmonic interest as her song craft matures can take this act to new heights.
––Oscar Jordan-Music Connection
- Music Connection Magazine
Discography
"Fate's Hand", (1998)
Regardless (2000)
Theives of Bahgdad (2003)
In America (2006)
Wonderland (2008)
No tracks that have airplay.
Photos
Bio
I am a story-teller through music. My influences are love, relationships, social/political concerns that affect all of us. My musical influences include artists Dave Matthews, Tracy Chapman, Coldplay, and James Blunt, to name a few. I have been named Best Unsigned Musical Artist in Music Connection Magazine (L.A.). I am an ASCAP member and have been awarded three consecutive Pop Awards Panel songwriting scholarships. I have recently released a self produced CD called 'Wonderland', an all-acoustic CD. I am founding member and front woman of a local all-female band called 'Moondriven', based in Los Angeles.
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