Genre: Folk / Indie / Punk
Location: New York City, NY, USA.
GioSafari is the pseudonym for NYC-based singer-songwriter, DIY musician, freegan, feisty activist, and peace activator Gio Andollo. Shortly after graduating from UCF (Orlando) with a BA in Music, he was struck by a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle Suffering from deep bouts of depression and existential frustration, he began busking in November 2008; thus GioSafari was born, performing as a solo artist in downtown Orlando. In July 2009, he hosted the release of his debut EP "Life is a bike wreck (better wear your helmet)", followed up by his first DIY tour, five weeks across the US Within days of his return to Orlando he was back on the road to make New York City his new stomping grounds He is now a starving artist in "this insomniatic place", busking on subway platforms and playing DIY shows around the city He also travels frequently, expanding his fan base around the states His music is largely influenced by American folk and punk; but his tastes, writing, and performing style are also influenced by classical, jazz, avant garde, and early forms of electronic music. The lyrics are autobiographical, existential, spiritual. He sings for peace and justice and advocates the use of bicycle helmets. "I'm catching the wave, it has brought me to NYC. I'm serving with Trinity Grace Church, street performing, teaching, composing, arranging, and trying to be disciplined I sing and play guitar, harmonica, drums, maracas, tambourine, and a variety of other instruments; I like to juggle, surf, skate, write poetry, and record music. I pray for peace I believe in love I believe in you. I performed on the streets of downtown Orlando for a few months, here's a documentary for which I was interviewed Enjoy! Baby, I'm an anarchist: "They tell us that we live in a great free republic; that our institutions are democratic; that we are a free and self-governeing people This is too much, even for a joke". Eugene V. Debs
Gio Andollo - Guitar, Vox, Harmonica, Percussion, etc The cosmic forces - backup vox.
Influences:
in no particular order: We Are the Multitude, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, the Beatles, Anathallo, Jeff Buckley, Derek Webb, Shane Bernard, Rock n Roll Worship Circus, Against Me!, From Monument to Masses, the Band of the Name, World/inferno Friendship Society, the Pilfers, Five Iron Frenzy, NOFX, Igor Stravinsky, Radiohead, Sigur Ros, the Mars Volta, the Living End, the Aquabats, the Agency, Django Reinhardt, Tony Melendez, Eladio Scharronand many more.
Similar:
Pulchritudinous intention, in time.
MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/giosafari
FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/giosafari