Gina Chavez

When Gina Chavez chose UP.ROOTED as the title of her new album, she found the one word that could reflect not only major turning points in her own journey, but the experiences of people who live in her songs. Chavez uses this second album to express the dichotomies of her life as an ethnically mixed American woman trying to define, and embrace, who she is and where she belongs. Produced by Michael Ramos, known for his work with Patty Griffin, John Mellencamp and the BoDeans, UP.ROOTED is a garden of delights on which Chavez delves into cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and other genres. Her wide-ranging vocals convey delicate beauty and sharp social commentary with equal nuance, giving the album a dynamic balance between dramatic tension and relaxed grace. As one of Austin’s most beloved world music/indie artists, Chavez is known for her impressive multi-instrumental performances and an inimitable sound inspired by cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and other genres. With accolades such as the2012-13 Austin Music Award for Best Latin Traditional Artist/Band (along with placing in three other categories), two tours in Japan as the Official City of Austin Music Ambassador,and praise from National Public Radio‘s All Songs Consideredand Alt. Latino as one of eight “New Latin Artists at SXSW,” Chavez has claimed a prominent stake in the Live Music Capital. She is back from eight months of mission work in El Salvador and established Niña Arriba, a college scholarship fund for girls she lived with in a gang-dominated part of San Salvador. Southern Living and Olay named Chavez one of 11 “southern iconic women who have left a beautiful footprint across the South.”