Recently I interviewed Brandon Giannasi, a solo artist from Dallas, TX, who goes by the name "Gringo Soul." Brandon finds a great deal of musical inspiration in acts such as Nirvana, Sublime, Elvis, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and also finds a great deal of inspiration from art itself, like from the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh for example. Theses artists and more inspire Brandon during his process of writing his songs, which he describes as "funky" and "soulful." Brandon's stage name, Gringo Soul, comes from a time is his past when we was working with a group of Hispanic people who referred to him and other Caucasians as "Gringos." The word rand with him and he decided to, as he puts it, "roll with it."
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."
To finish up this interview, Gringo Soul had a little advice for people that want to start bands and bands struggling with finding an audience: "When you get denied to play a bar or a venue, you need to stay strong and get back up and get on with your day" said Brandon.
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."
To finish up this interview, Gringo Soul had a little advice for people that want to start bands and bands struggling with finding an audience: "When you get denied to play a bar or a venue, you need to stay strong and get back up and get on with your day" said Brandon.
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.
