Michy G
Baldwin, New York, United States
Music
Press
MICHELLE GAVILONDO
5 SONG E.P.
INDEPENDENT
Michelle Gavilondo has a brassy, emotionally charged approach to acoustic rock. Pure New York attitude with lyrics that hold nothing back! I knew of her first from the AFT webcast and her live in-studio perfomances, then got to catch hear live at some area venues. This short CD is an excellent introduction to her sound and captures her evocative lyrics and strong, distinctive vocals in hi-fidelity. The absolute standout track is "What Did I Just Say" with lyrics like "Pop a pill, pay a bill have your fill until your finally out of cigarettes Pass the test, get some rest, now digest the nasty aftertaste that you get...". Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! There is some cool minor chord acoustic guitar action going on too at times which I was digging as well. Another worthy track is "Insignificant" but it's a solid effort throughout.
- Mike Ferrari Publisher of Auralfix Magazine - 10/04
It's simply a great song and an excellent performance. Every once in a blue moon I hear a song and think "I wish I would have written that". Usually it happens while listening to the radio. It never happened with someone I heard in coffee house. Until now. This is definitely a song that shows off all the personality in her voice too. Michelle delivers heartfelt personal songs with an honesty and sincerity that's truly inspiring. She manages to do that and still rock pretty hard too. (Although not in this song). Check it out. - Hank Porter, Studio Concepts, 9/28
Great set of music by Michelle- I like the delivery of her songs and their lyrical power. My 2 favorites from last night were "What Did I Just Say?" and "Insignificant." Both of these songs have quite an intensity to them.
- Vinny DiMarco, Aural Fix, August Issue
Discography
Take 3 (with NextaKin) 1998
Giveaway EP - 2004
Both of these CDs can be heard streaming on http://michellesrain.iuma.com and Giveaway can be heard on my new website http://michyg.com.
Photos
Bio
At around age 11 I began playing guitar and piano by picking out Monkees and Beatles tunes in my parents basement. Writing came a bit later. I'm not actually sure how much later, but the process was accompanied by a degree of angst and rebelliousness in search of an outlet. Then there were these weekly outings in Washington Square park, where listeners were invited to groove to the sounds of Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane and others. As an older adolescent and young adult, I performed in a few cover bands and played guitar as well as sang and occasionally banged on the keyboard.
Fast forward to 1997 when I joined an original rock band from Queens known as NextaKin. We recorded a CD and played a few club dates in Manhattan. That was the first time I experienced the thrill of writing and performing my own music. I never forgot it; I was hooked. When I moved to Long Island from Brooklyn, I quit the band to focus on my family that now included two beautiful children, Nicole and Michael. I still needed music in my life, so I joined a cover band called SloBurn in '01 and later Sitizen Souls in '03, picking up a few very important contacts in the local scene along the way. One consistently influential musician has been Mike (aka "Dr Mike") Nicolae, a guitarist who I first met while playing in Slo Burn. He has continued to enhance my music with his blues based inflections. Mike is currently part of the Long Island cover band Outlet and performs with me as scheduling permits. My cover band days progressed smoothly until a freak accident, that resulted in an injury to my larynx, put a temporary halt to my singing career.
After recovering from the injury, a process that seemed endless, I made a decision to focus on my music and go solo for a while. I went to a few notable open mics in the area and, as I started to feel more confident, I began playing more showcases around the Long Island area. Songs are my way out, and IN at the same time. It's always uplifting and inspiring to meet other artists; there have been many that have moved me. I've learned along the way that we are all part of the same fish bowl and that ultimately, that which sets us apart and makes us unique is also what brings us together. Enjoy it while it lasts.....
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