Gina Chavez joins the Gibson Artist Spotlight Program
In line with the brand’s ongoing commitment to elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world, the annual Gibson Artist Spotlight program will showcase an evolving roster of musicians who will be featured across Gibson’s global and international channels.
The Artist Spotlight program debuted in January 2024 with Austin Sexton and recently added Mona Lindgren, Alex Ritchie, Zach Person, and Devon Thompson to the ranks. It also welcomed Ayoni, The Picturebooks, Camilla PNK, DeWolff, Tigirlily Gold, Santa, The Linda Lindas, The Mysterines, Jaime Wyatt, Annie DiRusso, and now Gina Chavez.
Gina Chavez is a Latin GRAMMY® nominee, internationally acclaimed recording artist, wife, and philanthropist. Born in Austin, she is a 16-time Austin Music Award winner. Gina’s first all-Spanish language album, La Que Manda, was nominated for a 2020 Latin Grammy in Best Pop/Rock, making them the third Latine born in the continental U.S. to ever be nominated in the history of the category (and the first queer Texan).
Image: Gina and an Epiphone Casino
Gina’s NPR Tiny Desk concert has more than 1.3 million views, and she is featured on Brené Brown’s hit podcast, Unlocking Us, for which she co-wrote the theme music. Gina tours internationally as a cultural ambassador with the U.S. State Department and runs Niñas Arriba, a college fund Gina and their wife founded for young women in gang-dominated El Salvador. Her official TED Talk is out now.
We caught up with Gina Chavez to find out more.
How would you describe your music?
“Genre-bending.”
What is your favorite piece of gear?
“My Epiphone Casino! It arrived at my door as part of an $8,000 prize package I received as a Grand Prize winner of the 2014 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and it’s been my favorite tour guitar ever since! To be honest, I never would have chosen that guitar, but it looks beautiful on stage and sounds great every time. Plus, I love the warmth of a hollowbody and the fact that it doesn’t weigh a ton.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
“Last year, I was invited to celebrate Pride in Mongolia, where the queer community is largely outcast from society. I took a five-piece band of incredible musicians across the world to spend 10 days with gorgeous and talented drag queens, enjoy queer theater, learn songs in Mongolian, and perform at house parties, jazz clubs, and thumping pride parties. Ultimately, we were gifted the opportunity to build lasting relationships with people who are truly making Ulaanbaatar and the whole of Mongolia a place where you can be loved no matter who you love. We can’t wait to go back!”
What would be your dream artist or producer collaboration, and why?
“Eduardo Cabra! Calle 13 was one of the most influential bands for me as a young songwriter, and Visitante is a true visionary behind the music. On the artist side, Brandi Carlile—hands down! It’s been such a thrill to watch her get her flowers por fin! Brandi has managed to be herself ever since the early days, never succumbing to the limiting mold the industry likes to place on women, and she has made incredible music all along the way. I owe so much of my own freedom as a queer musician to Brandi and the way she walks through the world.”
What does being part of the Gibson Artist Spotlight program mean to you?
“I am a truly independent artist, and while I don’t have a big team, I do have champions. This program is an example of the power of community to lift us up, and I’m grateful to be part of this first cohort of Gibson Spotlight Artists.”
What’s next on the horizon for you?
“I’m very excited to serve as the new president of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy—talk about the power of community. And I’m in the process of writing my next album! I’m exploring new sounds like charango and didgeridoo and collaborations with people from all over the world.”
Find out more about the Gibson Artist Spotlight program and visit the profile for Gina Chavez.
