South Florida Indie Music Artist Talent Support Developers & Musical Agency Management

Katie Garibaldi, San Francisco Bay Area

How did the project come into existence? My newest album, Next Ride Out, is actually my sixth recorded full-length album. However, it’s the first album I recorded with a producer. It was produced by Michael Molenda, noted producer, engineer, and editor-in-chief of Guitar Player magazine. Mike and I had been talking about working together for some time and when I was ready for my next CD, I was excited to work with him on Next Ride Out. The album is made up of half previously recorded songs, which were rearranged and re-recorded, and half new songs. The title “Next Ride Out” comes from a lyric from my song “Home,” on my previous album Fallen Angel. I wanted my new album to reflect my past work as well as present a whole new direction and sound.

Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it? I'm a solo singer/songwriter and I perform live both solo and with a backup band, depending on the venue and event. Backup musicians vary, and usually include a drummer and/or bassist, and sometimes electric guitar.

How would you describe your sound/genre? And there it is—one of the hardest questions artists struggle with! I like to describe my sound as acoustic pop-country. I write all my songs and perform them on acoustic guitar so that’s the foundation of the sound. Some songs fit into more of a quirky-pop style and some fit in the country box. But the songs can definitely cross-pollinate into different genres like Americana and folk-rock.

What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have?  I did take guitar lessons for a couple years when I first learned the guitar. Playing guitar came very natural for me. It gave me a tool and vehicle for my songwriting. I remember coming home after my first lesson, only knowing like three chords, but writing my first song on guitar. I wasn’t a very good student in the sense of practicing my homework. I would mostly ask my teacher to teach me how to play certain songs and write my own songs. But that was invaluable for me because I learned how to find my own voice using such an amazing instrument.

Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album?  Currently, I’m in the in-between stage of still touring to support my latest album, Next Ride Out, and getting prepared to record my next album, which will happen in the near future. I would love to work with Michael Molenda again, who produced Next Ride Out. He knows my music and likes to push me to consider and create new ideas in the studio.

Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music? When I was young, I was really inspired by pop and country singers. Pop singers like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion and country singers like Shania Twain and Leann Rimes definitely made me want to be a singer. Then once I picked up the guitar and started writing my own songs, Jewel’s Pieces of You album debuted and I knew the guitar was not only a vital part of my songwriting, but of my artistry as well. Jewel was probably the biggest influence on me when I first started out and still is now. Currently, I think my music definitely stems from my own personal experiences, but I listen to a hodge-podge of artists and music in general continues to inspire me.

What advice would you give to others starting out?  My biggest advice to others starting out is always to work hard. Music is not an easy breezy job. If you’re going to do it, commit to it and put your all into it. Being an indie artist, especially, it’s all about wearing different hats and managing your time responsibly. Other than that, the best thing you can do is get out and play. It puzzles me when I see other artists promoting themselves and then you look at their website and they don’t have any shows on their calendar. If you’re just starting out and don’t have too much experience with booking, go play all the open mics in your area and go from there. The only way to get your music out there, as well as eventually make a living at it, is to get out and play as much as you can.

Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?  The best place is my website, www.katiegaribaldi.com. I'm also on the social networks, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/katiegaribaldimusic) and Twitter (twitter.com/katiegaribaldi).

If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with?  I’d love to play in Italy someday—just because it seems to be the most beautiful place in the world and just to say that I did it. But actually, I’d really love to perform at The Warfield, which is one of the finest concert venues in my hometown of San Francisco. It’s always been a dream of mine, since I was young, to play there. One of my favorite current artists is Jackie Greene, who is also based in San Francisco. It would be awesome to play with him someday…at The Warfield!

What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole? So many great things stand out in my head as wonderful experiences, but as a whole, without a doubt it’s been the journey. I’ve been lucky enough to know from a very young age what I wanted to do with my life and I committed to that. Even through all the pitfalls, I stuck with it and stayed true to who I am as an artist and I’m really proud of that. My music is something I really believe in and the greatest experience has been the whole journey my music has taken me on! I’m able to travel around the country and share my songs with people. It’s pretty amazing and I’m so grateful I’m able to do what I love.

Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about?  I'm performing and touring a lot this summer and fall so the best way to see where I'm playing is on my website, www.katiegaribaldi.com. I'll be returning to Nashville next week for a few shows (starting with The Bluebird Cafe on May 15th).

Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years? In five years, I hope to have a couple more albums released and continue to tour the country, on a larger scale in more regions, and maybe even play internationally. When you do what you love and are in control of your career, the sky is the limit!