By Lisa Morgan
If you have seen enough live music, you begin to recognize those who are born to perform. The music they make appears effortless, natural and unstrained, as if they were born producing their craft. To them, the endless hours of their lives honing their craft is not work or sacrifice. It is a passion and a labor of love. And when the music comes out of them, everything about your day melts away and you disappear with them into the vortex that is their song. Such is the case with Giselle Woo.
I walked into The Hood Bar last Friday night with high expectations. It seems lately, Brandon Henderson has been turning that cool little venue upside down with awesome live music from some bar raising bands that are always original and hot. But I’ll be honest. As much as I love that place, I was only there that night on assignment from my publisher. I had been working long hours, my feet hurt and I was extremely tired. I had never heard of Giselle Woo and the Night Owls, and knowing the variety that performs at The Hood Bar, I had no idea what I’d be hearing other than they were probably pretty good if Brandon had booked them. But given my state, the fact remained; I wasn’t going to be easily impressed. I need to THANK my publisher for this assignment.
There she was, center stage, handling her acoustic guitar like she spent more time with it than without. David Macias was on lead guitar playing riffs at the speed of sound while still injecting soul into each note. Erik Mouness, a drummer who is endearing and as fun to watch as he is to listen to, was putting all of himself into every song no matter what the tempo. The gifted Brandon Henderson was obviously enjoying himself as he sat in for regular bassist Andy Gorrill. Giselle Woo, a naturally pretty girl, completely lacking in assumption and diva flair (a good thing in my opinion), commanded the stage like she’d been doing this for 20 years. Not in a show biz kind of way, but like she was at home. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth and out came this velvety voice that sored from the depths of her heart effortlessly. Her voice, wrought with emotion, not the kind that is contrived but what happens when the voice and heart are connected, was as easy to listen to as butter is to eat. Surrounded by these insanely talented musicians, she was the perfect storyteller to songs that were sung in both Spanish and English. She easily transitioned from soulful ballads to raw energy rock, all of which were an apparent fusion of her musical culture and contemporary influences. It was a kind of Latin zydeco if you will, with a touch of jazz to smooth it all out.
Born here in the desert, she taught herself guitar around the age of eleven. “My mom and dad had a band, ‘Voces y Guitarras’, a rondalla in which they played Spanish ballads and love songs with acoustic guitars, a stand up base and a bit of percussion. That was my inspiration. They’d have practice in our living room and I’d try and figure out how to play the guitar.” Woo has only been writing and performing seriously for the last four years, going to jams with friends and overcoming her fear of playing live. “Some songs are very personal and you never know. Questions run through my mind. Are these people even going to like this song? But when I’m on stage and I deliver, everything goes away. The feedback and encouragement keep me wanting to come back and keep performing.”
She has certainly earned the respect of a very male dominated music scene here in the Valley. Brandon Henderson, the Live Entertainment Manager at the Hood said, “I saw Giselle play an open mic in Palm Springs in early 2011. I thoroughly enjoyed her voice and overall musical presence. We became friends and a few months later played in a band together called The Country which featured the core members of Gram Rabbit. Giselle has a solid bass player but due to scheduling conflicts he hasn’t been able to make a few gigs lately and I’ve been lucky enough to fill the spot. It’s been a very fun and therapeutic release for me to play with friends like her.”
When I asked what kind of music was her favorite, she admitted, “I can’t stick to one genre. My songs are very versatile ranging from jazz, slow love songs, heart aches to rock. It’s hard to pick a favorite. Honestly I just like it all.”
As a lyricist, she pens emotions honestly, simply and poetically. In her song “Gemini” she confesses the duplicity of human nature in first person:
“Why does this monster live inside my head? I know it’s there because we’ve met.
It comes out at night and drains me though the day kicks me while I’m down and takes away my faith.
I bet you didn’t know that this monster wears my name. Yes there’s two of us, but we’re not the same.
One’s bad, one’s nice, one’s sugar, one’s spice. One didn’t do it, the other is to blame.”
Then in “Our Song” she articulates the vulnerability of desire:
“Hold me, I’m tired of waiting. Come tell me you love me; enough words, enough pain.
Tell them that your heart is taken; seeking my open heart, that’s where you long to be.
Trust your heart my dear, the truth is waiting there. Feel the way your chest is caving in, you say you see right through. Then see this much is true, I love you; oh how I do.”
There is nothing not to love about this girl, this artist, her band and her music. They deliver something that transcends a specific genre or demographic that is very likeable without being too main stream. A demo is on the books within the next couple of months, something I highly recommend getting your hands on when you can. Meanwhile, you can hear samples of her music by going to her Facebook page Giselle Woo Musica. Make sure to see Giselle Woo and the Night Owls performing at The Date Shed January 31, 2013. Other upcoming shows will be posted on the band page Giselle Woo & The Night Owls. This is one of those exceptional local artist that will be a lot of fun to watch in the upcoming year as I truly believe, this is just the beginning for her and her Night Owls.
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