Gaelynn Lea will bring her blend of classic violin and folk music to downtown Phoenix’s Valley Bar on Jan. 30 for her Winter Escape Tour.
Much has changed for Gaelynn Lea after winning NPR’s 2016 Tiny Desk Contest. She thought it would be a good idea to submit her song “Someday We’ll Linger In The Sun” but didn’t realize the fervor it would create among her new fans.
The sounds of looping violin strings and plucked notes put listeners in a trance, but it was the first line of the song, “Our love’s A complex vintage wine”, that kept people hooked.
Her unique voice and style were established at a very early age. Growing up, her parents played the guitar and piano. Music always drew her curiosity, and she decided she wanted to play the cello.
Due to her Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease, Lea found it hard to play the cello due to its size. Instead, with the help of her music teacher, Lea found a compromise. She began playing the violin in between her legs, in the style of a cello.
After years of playing popular fiddle tunes and releasing her own original music, Lea is slated to release her third full-length album in September of this year which features new sounds.
“I wanted to branch out,” Lea said. “I love folk and classical music a lot, but I felt like the guitar and violin didn’t entirely express my feelings.”
The new album will feature a full band with a guitarist, drummer and herself on violin and vocals.
“I wrote songs that I could not play by myself,” Lea said. “We found a sound we all like and are excited to release the new album.”
Lea is currently unsigned and seeks to pay for her third full-length album through donations to GoFundMe.
Two of Lea’s new songs on the album are already out on her bandcamp and music streaming services Apple Music and Spotify.
Her Jan. 30 show will be her second time performing at Valley Bar after a set she did last March.
For more information about Gaelynn Lea’s Winter Escape Tour visit violinscratches.com
Contact the columnist at Lerman.Montoya@asu.edu.
