GINA VILLALOBOS- BIOGRAPHY
Musically equally shaped by her parents record collection and her brother’s rock tastes, Gina Villalobos’ eclectic bedroom soundtrack included Led Zeppelin, Carole King, Loretta Lynn, Neil Diamond, The Eagles, The Pixies, Linda Ronstad, Willie Nelson, and many points in between.
Whilst studying photography at college, Gina eventually found the lure of music too strong and dropped out to form her first band the Santa Barbara, California-based, Liquid Sunshine. They released 3 CDs, were regulars on the west coast college circuit and enjoyed much success locally in the mid-90s.
Following the dissolution of Liquid Sunshine, Gina went on to form and front her next band, The Mades, in 1998. By the following year they had released an EP, and were invited to play both SXSW and NXNW. Graduating from the college circuit they landed themselves numerous supporting slots with favourites; Frank Black, Mary Lou Lord, Counting Crows, Ben Harper, Chris Stills, Weezer and The Breeders to name a few. Between writing and touring, Gina also found time to play drums for the bubblegum garage-pop trio Dragster Barbie.
After The Mades split in July of 2002 Gina took a few months off before returning to the studio to begin the task of writing, editing, tracking, re-tracking, mixing and remixing demos of her own material, the results of which would eventually become Gina's first solo release ‘Beg From Me’. Since its release she has agreed a number of licensing deals with major film and TV studios (HBO, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Paramount and Miramax).
2003 saw Gina begin work on her second self-produced CD ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ as well as signing a publishing deal with Media Creature Music.
‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ was originally scheduled for an autumn 2003 release only to be unforeseeably delayed following a life changing and traumatic accident resulting in the total loss of vision in Gina's right eye. ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ was finally gained a US release in the summer of 2004 and has continued to gain plaudits ever since. While ‘Beg From Me’ itself was an auspicious debut, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ is a major leap forward as the reviews continue to testify and demonstrably confirms Gina Villalobos as a genuinely gifted songwriter, as well as an accomplished interpreter of other’s material – just check out her spellbinding take on World Party’s ‘Put The Message In The Box’ for evidence of that. ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’, an abundance of sing-a-long hooks and sharp lyrical insight, expressed by Gina Villalobos’ distinctively resonant voice, is proof positive that her talent should be considered very much in the ascendant.
‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ has received excellent reviews in national US magazines like No Depression, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and Harp, in regional and local press as well as internet music magazines such as AmericanaUK.com and PopMatters.com.
Having recently signed a licensing deal with Laughing Outlaw Records ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Pony’ will see a much deserved wider release in the UK, Europe and Australia on February 24th, preceded by the single ‘Put The Message in the Box’ on January 21st. Songs From Rock N Roll Pony Have already beed added into heavy rotation on the BBC2
Coinciding with the album’s release Gina will also be touring the UK as well as elsewhere in Europe. She has also just been announced as the guest on Laura Veirs’ forthcoming UK tour, commencing on February 27th.
Demonstrating that she is as hard working as she is talented, Gina has already begun recording her 3rd album, which is pencilled in for a late Summer in 20
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