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Passionate, stubborn, and creative by nature, it seems somehow fitting that Tracy Gibbons now finds herself among New York City's assorted artists, characters and outcasts. Born July 6, 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tracy was adopted at one week old. Raised with just one older brother, her family was small and close, and she led an exceptionally lucky childhood. Tracy's love for music became apparent early on; she picked up the violin at age 3, and piano several years later. Never one to love practicing, Tracy was nonetheless compelled to tell her story. She sang about whatever was on her mind, and soon began recording her ideas on a small tape recorder. In 1990 Paul Simon played in Salt Lake on the night the U.S. bombed Baghdad. Simon humbly took the stage in the dark and said a prayer for peace before starting the show. The show resonated deeply with Tracy and planted its seed. She began fantasizing about writing and performing her own songs. At 14, her folks bought her a guitar and she began to do just that. This proved therapeutic for a teenager who was increasingly moody and anxious. Her sense of identity became more and more closely associated with music. Tracy graduated high school and went to college, and ultimately decided to go to law school, but halfway through, she was growing desperate to make some music. In 2001, Tracy connected with gifted Salt Lake composer/producer John Hancock, and their collaboration resulted in Made Red, a deeply personal collection of original songs. While the songs can be emotionally raw, the record itself is "polished, passionate and suspiciously consistent for a debut CD" (Beverly Durfee, Grand Junction Daily Sentinal). GoGirls Music touts it as "the kind of album you want to pick you up or keep you going by your soon to be favorite Indie artist!" The album opens with "uplifting harmonies [that] are very well done indeed" (Indie-music.com). From there it wanders the various terrains of folk, blues and alternative country, all laced with an ambient, contemporary pop edge. At times the sonic landscape becomes dark, dreamy and haunting. Tracy "carries on the tradition of story-telling musicians, with lyrics that flow easily with the instruments, self-assured vocals, with most songs creating deeply meditative moods. These aren't necessarily foot-stomping songs, but ones that you could easily dissolve into and find yourself singing along" (Durfee). "'This is My Heart'" has a sassy, funky sound that departs from and matures in a direction a bit different from some of the other tracks... [t]he words sear and sting: 'Do you find it hard to believe? Do you find it hard to accept? What I felt was never need...'" (Indie-music.com). The beautiful, lilting "Take Refuge in Me" is "lyrical dynamite" (Durfee)... an ardent invitation from one lover to another, and at the same time, a revelation of their fluid boundaries and shared sorrow. The song is made complete by Hancock's lush string arrangement -- a skill for which he is widely praised. "Intellectualust" is a clever and provocative disclosure of lusting after someone's mind: "I wanna creep there in darkness and pull the covers wide I wanna mouth my way around each word and line Now I can climb inside your mind through the words you've underlined..." "Beneath My Skin" closes the album -- recorded live in the studio, it is totally stripped down. Hearing it brings you into the room with Tracy, and also into her confidences. It begins with a reference to embalming and fear of death, and becomes a tribute to facing one's fears in order to live fully: "Don't shield me from the earth, I'll take the flame Don't make me up 'til I don't look the same..." Compelling and original, Tracy's lyrics are "anything but a typical folk singer on a journey. The songs are like fire and ice. Smoking hot melody versus a smooth, calming sound stretched across lyrics so personal you would swear your best friend was singing to you" (GoGirlsMusic.com). "The lyrics are brilliant," says Durfee. "Gibbons seems to easily wrap complicated emotions and descriptive narratives in to a single verse. Very mature writing and performance." Tracy's songs speak to the universal experiences of love, loss and redemption. The inclination to dig deep and be fearlessly honest is at the core of her artistic expression and style. Her goal is to continually progress as an artist, experimenting with different approaches and sounds, and writing from a place so true that others can recognize and embrace her stories as their own. With Made Red, Tracy Gibbons has succeeded in making a record that has depth, maturity and authenticity, but remains pleasant and accessible. It is the perfect thing to throw on in the car, or when friends are coming over for dinner. Or, if you like, it will invite you to sink in deeper and stay awhile. Check out the artist's website: http://www.tracy-gibbons.com Track List: 1. Of Churches & Choices 2. Sound of Goodbye 3. Roman Candle 4. Hole in the Cup of Life 5. Made Red 6. This Is My Heart 7. Take Refuge in Me 8. Intellectualust 9. Sometimes He Comes 10. Beneath My Skin Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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