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.
Giannasi writes his songs about celebrations, hardships, life lessons, and growth as a musician and as "an average gringo." Most of the creative thinking and lyric writing occurs while Brandon is driving. He says there is just something about driving that just gets him thinking and really gets his creative juices flowing. All Brandon needs while he is on stage is his Korg Keyboard, K oscillator, octopad, guitar and loop pedal and he is set to perform a great set. The crowd gets to see Brandon setting up the song and get to see all the components that go into a Gringo Soul song. He says that it takes one minute to get his back beat set up and he is good to go. Brandon has put out 4 albums as Gringo Soul, totaling in 34 songs.
Brandon is hosting an event called The Trash Bash Music Stash on June 28th. It's an event that you volunteer and you pick up trash on three streets in Dallas TX. After the trash pickup is over, there will be free food, free beer and other drinks and a free concert. And if you don't fee like picking up trash, you can pay $15 and still have some food, drink and enjoy a great show!
Aside from this event, Brandon has played many shows in Dallas and the surrounding area. "I'd have to say that one of my favorite shows I've played so far was in Forth Worth at The Woodshed. I ended up performing for about five hundred people who all seemed to respond well both to me and to my music." Brandon also tells me that if he could open for any one band, it would be Stone Temple Pilots. "I have a lot of respect for their music, and that would really be an honor if I ever get to play s show with them."
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."
Giannasi writes his songs about celebrations, hardships, life lessons, and growth as a musician and as "an average gringo." Most of the creative thinking and lyric writing occurs while Brandon is driving. He says there is just something about driving that just gets him thinking and really gets his creative juices flowing. All Brandon needs while he is on stage is his Korg Keyboard, K oscillator, octopad, guitar and loop pedal and he is set to perform a great set. The crowd gets to see Brandon setting up the song and get to see all the components that go into a Gringo Soul song. He says that it takes one minute to get his back beat set up and he is good to go. Brandon has put out 4 albums as Gringo Soul, totaling in 34 songs.
Brandon is hosting an event called The Trash Bash Music Stash on June 28th. It's an event that you volunteer and you pick up trash on three streets in Dallas TX. After the trash pickup is over, there will be free food, free beer and other drinks and a free concert. And if you don't fee like picking up trash, you can pay $15 and still have some food, drink and enjoy a great show!
Aside from this event, Brandon has played many shows in Dallas and the surrounding area. "I'd have to say that one of my favorite shows I've played so far was in Forth Worth at The Woodshed. I ended up performing for about five hundred people who all seemed to respond well both to me and to my music." Brandon also tells me that if he could open for any one band, it would be Stone Temple Pilots. "I have a lot of respect for their music, and that would really be an honor if I ever get to play s show with them."
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:
At the time of this interview, Gringo Soul was scheduled to perform on this year's Dallas Music Festival, presented by EagleOne Entertainment and Gorilla Music . Stop by Gorilla Music for more information on this and other events.
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