Jamie Gallo

he singer and songwriter from Hawaii known as Jamie Gallo has released her much awaited full-length record, “Awakening.” The LP contains 10 original tracks for an approximate total listening time of 40 minutes. It has been published as an independent music release without the involvement of the corporate music industry. Melodic, rocking, thrilling, beautiful, powerful and full of the original alternative rock tradition, “Awakening” by Jamie Gallo is the rock record the scene has been wanting.

Jamie Gallo cites as main artistic influences Joni Mitchell, Thom Yorke, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Nicks, and Al Green. Her own vocal sound and style reflects her great taste in music, having elements of Mitchell and Nicks both, as well as the precision of Houston and the insouciance of Aguilera. Gallo’s overall tone blends groove with grunge and adds a touch of funk. Her “Awakening” album also boasts that particular tenor of folk-rock which gave the original alternative rock groups, bands like Blind Melon and Soul Asylum, the ability to play hard with acoustic instruments or lightly while plugged in.

Like many of the world’s best musicians, Jamie Gallo got her start in music via Sunday psalms.

“I got my first guitar when I was five years old and started singing in church,” she writes. “I was a closet rock junkie as my cousin Johnny turned me on to Beatles and ’70s rock. He was my first inspiration.”

As one might intuit from the title of her record, the themes of “Awakening” remain close to her rock-n-roll roots.

“The songs on this album represent spiritual, relational and social ‘Awakening,’” she writes. “We go through life hoping to gain wisdom from the lessons we learn, and with love that has been burned with each experience we are awakened.”

Jamie Gallo’s current official bio describes her as a mother, writer, advocate, lover and student of life. She has written for film, documentaries, and TV. Playing often on her island home of Maui, her music has been heard as far away as Hollywood, Colorado, Germany, and even China.

“Awakening” by Jamie Gallo is available online worldwide. Fans of alternative rock should get in early.

-S. McCauley

Lead Press Release Writer

http://www.MondoTunes.com - A MondoTunes Exclusive Press-Release

JAMIE GALLO / "AWAKENING" ~Released 09.25.15 All tracks written by Jamie Gallo Lee AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF BRILLIANT SONGWRITING, GLORIOUS PRODUCTION VALUES, AND RICH VOCALS...AN ALL-AROUND WINNER! Maui singer-songwriter Jamie Gallo has released a new album, "Awakening," and for the listener, it certainly is one. Jamie is a superb singer-songwriter, and her collection here reveals a woman who is searching: a woman searching for her place in the world, her place in the life of the man for whom she's searching, and her place in the arms of the Lord. The opening track, "Ticket," kicks the CD into overdrive with a hard-rocking tune about who needs a "Ticket" to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The following track opens with an acoustic guitar solo that reminded me of the intro to George Harrison's hit, "My Sweet Lord." It really does make one question one's worth in the world. The next two tracks, "Perception" and "Johnny," were two of my favorites off the album. The former is a midtempo rocker that examines a crumbling relationship from the singer's assumption of the other person's point of view - or "perception" - and not in a good way; and the second is a powerful, cautionary tale about a one-parent household which ends up losing control of an older son, with difficult results.

The title track and first single, "Awakening," is far and away the highlight of the album. Its haunting percussion and 6/8 time signature makes one feel as if the listener is rocking gently on the ocean on a ka`a (canoe)--and, in fact, "ocean" is mentioned in the lyrics. I kept playing this track over and over again, I enjoyed it so much. "Perfectly Clear" is a cute song about establishing exactly who the intended of Gallo's love was to be, while "Rich Girl" reminded me of the 1977 Daryl Hall & John Oates #1 hit of the same name, only in Jamie's, the subject matter is far more cynical. It is a brilliantly-written song and showcases Jamie's singular wit and snark. Utterly exceptional. As is the adorable "Old Grey Hound," replete with the intro where you can literally feel the bus doors slamming behind you and the diesel fumes choking you as the engine gets going. The album's production values are absolutely top-notch considering there are only four musicians listed. Jim Frazier is literally a studio wizard. The tune opens up into a retro-rocker replete with a B-3 organ synth-stop and great backing vocals that include Frazier. "Hound" is four minutes of pure fun. The CD closes with solid rocker "You Were My Friend" and "Live," which begins as a beautiful acoustic piano solo and morphs into a midtempo rocker, which features Jamie asserting her will to live and her will to love. Jamie Gallo has truly put together a selection of winners in "Awakening." She is a consummate songwriter, and I can't say enough about the production values. Her current Facebook profile has the poem: "When you are happy / You enjoy the music / When you are sad / You understand the words." It's obvious she went through much of both in writing this album, or these songs come from the vault of her heart over the years. Her voice is superb and melodic, and her harmonizing overdubs are perfect. And, oh yeah, she plays a mean guitar, too. The musician credits are: JAMIE GALLO - Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar JIM FRAZIER - Guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, programming, mixing, tracking, production DUNCAN MULLINS - Electric bass STEVE BREWSTER - Drums and percussion Critic's credentials: a) Former professional reviewer of over 750 CDs, films, and TV shows for Amazon.com Corporate Offices, Seattle, WA (not fan-inspired reviews) b) Former "Critic's Corner" reviewer columnist for two musicians' industry bimonthly magazines c) Editor and "Critic's Corner" reviewer columnist for two university - reverbnation

Rock Album of the Year – Best performance of music in a rock style

1. “AWAKENING,” Jamie Gallo (Jamie Gallo)

2. “BROKEN PROMISES,” 82Fifty (Lab munkeez)

3. “ENDANGERED SPECIES,” Stuart Hollinger (Keala)

4. “HEAVY CROWN, THE,” Pimpbot (Pass Out)

5. “STORM’S A BREWIN’,” Storm (TIP) - Star Advertiser

In a crowded field of nominated musicians, several first-time nominees from Maui are making their Na Hoku Hanohano Awards debuts.

Out of the 12 nominated musicians and bands with Maui ties, five are first-time nominees and two are nominated for the first time as solo artists. The winners of Hawaii’s music awards will be announced Saturday night on Oahu.

The first-timers include Paia singer-songwriter Lily Meola, Haiku jazz musician Jimmy Coulter, Haiku producers Lauren and Steven Burgess, Wailuku guitarist Jamie Gallo and the University of Hawaii Maui College’s Institute of Hawaiian Music.

“The people I’m nominated with – Henry Allen, Jimmy Borges – it’s just blowing my mind,” said Coulter. “I’m totally enthralled to even be in the same boat with these folks.” - maui news

Maui’s own Jamie Gallo has a lot of spunk. If you’ve had the pleasure of catching her at her regular South Shore Tiki Lounge gig on Thursdays or at Kono’s on the Green every second Sunday at 5:30pm. Her energy-filled sets are just a taste of what she put into her new album Awakening, which she recorded and produced in Nashville.

True to her nature, her CD release debut at Mulligan’s on Friday, Nov. 27 will be more than a party. Gallo says band will include an all-star lineup with Jerry Kovarsky, Marcus Johnson, Jeff Hornbeck, Michael Kennedy and Marissa Gander. The show will also include special performances from Marty Dread, Levi Poasa, Michael Russell and Benny Uetake.

MauiTime grabbed a moment with Gallo to talk about her music and what she loves about the Maui scene.

MAUITIME: What inspires your music?

JAMIE GALLO: With creativity, one needs inspiration. It takes a spark to light a fire. Where does that spark come from? Inspiration, inspiration comes from many sources. For me, it is life itself. Life is full of possibilities. I especially love people watching. I like feeling the baking sun on my skin, listening quietly to my surroundings. Inspiration also comes from mourning a loss of some kind. This is all but a part of my inspiration.

MT: Please tell us about the new release.

JG: Awakening was just released in September. The debut has 10 original songs. My co-producers Joe Beck and Jim Frazier have taken Jamie Gallo music to another level and my gratitude to the team who worked on this is beyond words. Their love for what they do and for me was felt long before I came and left and it was an honor to work with them. Nashville is an amazing city. I love their vibe!

MT: When did you decide to get involved in music?

JG: I have always had music surrounding me. Even in a home where nobody even played an instrument, with the exception of my cousin, Johnny. He was my first inspiration and another story to be told. As a child I heard sounds and created melodies in my head all the time, which made me feel like I was weird, different. I wrote poetry with my first published piece in local newspaper at age nine. My cousin Johnny was always singing and playing his guitar. I was star struck by his passion and ability to reach into my soul with a song. I sang in church choirs, joined bands; however, my greatest involvement and tremendous joy was being part of the Praise and Worship team at Hope Chapel. The soul-to-soul connection with God through music is unmatchable. Friends and fans started to tell me that my music gave them a kind of feeling, when you listen to something familiar but can’t place it to anything particular and my songs were identifiable and relatable to them. This is encouraging for a creative and stimulating for inspiration.

MT: Why perform on Maui?

JG: There are definitely benefits to staying on Maui and in the state of Hawaii. Benefit number one: It’s home. And the other benefits are the weather, the unique talent and diversity, not to mention Hawaiian culture music and language.

MT: How do you describe your music?

JG: Aha! You cannot, will not limit me to such a question. I prefer music that moves me. From pop to alternative, classical to classic rock, metal to melodic, folk to funk, Rap to R&B, Roots to Reggae… and it goes on.

MT: Have you ever considered moving because of your career?

JG: I have moved away and considered Los Angeles but ended up in Colorado with one of my best friends and wrote a song about the journey–“Old Greyhound.” I have been very fortunate to perform in California, Colorado, Las Vegas, Canada, Germany and Italy. I would consider moving again but I prefer to call it a “tour.”

MT: What’s it like to have a music career?

JG: Music career? Mine? Ha! I don’t think I’ve achieved this completely. That said, music is not just a hobby for me. It has taken years of love and dedication to a lyric, a melody, an inspiration. Like most musicians, I have had “day” jobs. Mine happens to be in hospitality, which helps fuels my inspiration.

MT: If it’s such a huge challenge, what draws you to the music business?

JG: Now that’s a loaded question. It was when I started getting paid for something I’m so passionate about. I’m still breaking into the business of it all and still perfecting my craft as a songwriter. This is not an easy business. As a “creative,” we pour out our souls to the world as if we cut our wrists exposing our blood sweat and tears. This is scary; however, I’m compelled to do this over and over again. The fact that people still want to hear what I have to say in my songs and will pay to do so is quite humbling.

MT: Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t a musician I would be…

JG: …I will write as long as I live, but I will sing forever! I studied communications in college and was considering journalism. I enjoy many facets of life and still dream of what I may be when I grow up. So far a mom, a sister and a friend have been included in who I am and who I am to be. To finish the race well is my greatest aspiration. I’m a lover of people and desire to be a difference in a life.

MT: What do you love most about the Maui scene?

JG: Diversity.

MT: Do you ever get stage fright when standing in front of a large audience?

JG: All the freaking time! Nausea and butterflies. I remember doing a guest spot in popular Vail pub called the Red Lion. It was typically crowded and noisy. I was doing a cover with the band–”Light my fire.” I remember at the end of the song it was suddenly ghostly quiet. When I opened my eyes it seemed as if the whole place had eyes on me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I sucked or if they liked it. It was an awkward moment like when you have toilet paper trailing along or the tail of your too-short skirt is trapped in your underwear. You know what I mean. Luckily for me, they liked it.

MT: Where can we see you playing on the island?

JG: I’ve played everywhere here from the Maui Arts & Cultural Center to local favorites like Fleetwood’s on Front St. Casanova’s, Stopwatch, Ambrosia Martini Lounge and Hard Rock, to name a few. You can catch me every Thursday at South Shore Tiki Lounge 4-6pm. The gang there is like Ohana. Love, love, love them. I also do private parties, weddings and conventions.

MT: When you think of your passion for music, what comes to mind?

JG: I mentioned my cousin Johnny, who was the greatest male figure in my life. I looked up to him as a little girl as if he held the world in his hands. He was so talented and troubled. He shared his innermost thoughts with me. At the time I was too young to comprehend but as I became a young woman his words would speak to me with understanding and his songs inspired me, as they were timeless. He loved the Beatles, classic rock and made up goofy stuff and adored me. When he died I sang his favorite song “Killing me softly.” The greatest inspiration has been the power of music through worship, to be at threshold of holiness when I was draped in shame, then transformed into being holy by grace. Then, the realization that this experience is only a breath of what’s in store for me. Wow! Play it again!

MT: Where can we find you on social media?

Facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Gallo-Lee/151048631583994

Twitter.com/jamiegallolee

Instagram.com/jgallolee

Reverbnation.com/jamiegallolee

Jamiegallolee.com

Image of Jamie Gallo by Jack Grace

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“Awakening” release show with Jamie Gallo

Mulligan’s on the Blue

Nov. 27, 7pm

$20 Includes her CD. Special dinner prices and 20 percent off bottled wine.

Reservations and tickets at 808-874-1131 or Bounty Music 808-871-1141 or online at Jamiegallomusic.com.

FILED UNDER: MUSIC - SOLEIL DE ZWART