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Andrea Gibson

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Andrea Gibson is not gentle with her truths. It is this raw fearlessness that has made her a kind of rockstar of the poetry world – a four time Denver Grand Champion who has headlined prestigious performance venues coast to coast with powerful readings on politics, global justice and gender issues. Now, on her fourth full-length album Yellowbird, Gibson’s truths are more intimate and reflective. However, instead of softening her words, she buttresses them with piano, global drums, dobro and violin and accompanies them with music from songwriters Kim Taylor and Chris Pureka, and music inspired by Devotchka. A powerful live performer, Gibson was the winner of the 2008 Women of The World Poetry Slam (Detroit), and has placed 3rd in the world for the last 3 years by the iWPS. She won a DIY Poetry Book of the Year and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her first book, “Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns.” She has been showcased on Free Speech TV, the documentary Slam Planet, NPR, Air America and Independent Radio Stations nationwide. Now, Gibson is distinguishing herself amongst the other performance poets by bringing her love of music into her current work. Putting the music together for Yellowbird came naturally. “I always write to music. And nearly every time I read a poem on stage I have the song I wrote the poem to humming in my chest. So for this album, I took the time to record that humming,” shares Gibson. But not every poem is scored. “One of the powerful things about spoken word is you only have your voice and the poem. I don't want to lose that – so I have some pieces of just me and a mic. But I do like mixing things up- and I love the collaboration that bringing music into my pieces requires. I am thrilled with the music and musicians who lent a hand on this on this record.” In “Ashes,” nationally touring songwriter Chris Pureka’s lends a score that keeps a haunting pace despite the growing velocity of Gibson’s words. Ohio-based singer/songwriter Kim Taylor contributed a sample on, “Maybe I Need You,” a poem inspired by Taylor’s hit song, “Baby I need You.” And on, “How It Ends” a local Denver band performed a Devotchka-inspired tune of the same name. Gibson’ work on Yellowbird illuminates that the personal is also global, and for a longtime social activist it is impossible for her to separate the two. The poems are no less political or powerful as her most popular piece, “For Eli.” Instead, they are born from a different insight. “There is more introspection than righteous screaming,” explains Gibson. “The politics come with more questions than answers. But this year I started pulling apart the fibers of how we got to where we are and started looking closely how we might move differently- and in doing that, my writing changed.” “The Pursuit of Happiness” is one such poem, asking, “Have you ever heard your skull crack on a kitchen sink? Have you ever tried to blink the light back? Do you know the man who beat her had been ordered to fit five Afghani children in a single body bag? Is this your pursuit of happiness?” The softness of Gibson’s tone is sadly reverent and underscored by piano. But elsewhere, she pulls out truths from intimately dark places. “A year ago a fellow poet challenged me to start writing the poems I have been afraid to write. “From that point on, with every poem I’ve written I've asked myself what I’m hiding and why,” says Gibson. “Many of them push me to edge of what feels comfortable to say out loud and to make public. But I think the truth is healing. I know the truth is healing.” Gibson, who tours over 180 dates per year, will be taking Yellowbird and it’s recorded music on the road -- with summer, fall and spring dates already announced (see attachment.) Seeing Gibson live is an experience like no other, bringing audiences to their feet. The Denver Westword said, “If slamming were professional boxing, Andrea Gibson would be the light weight you don’t think much of until she’s knocked you flat on your ass.” www.andreagibson.org www.myspace.com/andreagibson

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04:07 PM November 20

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Latest bulletin 10.14.09

East Coast tour dates, Buddy Wakefield tour

Hello!
<br><br>
I'm home in snowy Colorado for a few days after an incredible run of east coast shows...

Hello!
<br><br>
I'm home in snowy Colorado for a few days after an incredible run of east coast shows with the Elephant Engine High Dive Revival. I had such an amazing time with that crew of xylophone slinging love bugs. They will be on tour until late November. Check them out if they visit your town: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67205281145&ref=ts[http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67205281145&ref=ts
<br><br>
Next week I head out on my own for a run of East Coast shows!! Including another FREE!! show in NYC at the Sidewalk Cafe on October 24th!   Would love to see you there!
<br><br>
ALSO---some VERY exciting NEWS!   This April I will be touring with one of my favorite people and poets Buddy Wakefield! Our tour is called AWKARD WHILE AIRBORNE and we are currently booking shows! If you would like to bring us to your college/university/highschool/club please contact fauxpasproductions@gmail.com [mailto:fauxpasproductions@gmail.com].   As of today- October 13th-- Buddy is officially a Righteous Babe!!!!... as his new album LIVE AT THE TYPER CANNON GRAND has been released on Ani Di'Franco's Righteous Babe Records. Check out his site and learn more!   buddywakefield.com
<br><br>
Thank you so much for your support!   Show listings below. For detailed listings on time/venue/etc Check out andreagibson.org or www.myspace.com/andreagibson[http://www.myspace.com/andreagibson

10/21/09 Ardmore, PA     Milkboy Coffee

10/22/09 Pittsburg, PA     Chatham University

10/23/09 Bryn Mawr, PA   Bryn Mawr College

10/24/09 New York, NY     Sidewalk Cafe

10/28/09 Clinton, NY       Hamilton College

11/3/09 Nortan, MA      Wheaton College

11/4/09 Providence, RI   Rhode Island College

11/5/09 Boston, MA       Northeastern

11/6/09 Aurora, NY    Wells College

11/7/09 New York, NY    Nuyorican Poets Cafe

11/10/09 Portland, ME    North Star Cafe

11/12/09 Fredericton, NB      University of New Brunswick

11/13/09 Halifax, NS      Gus' Pub

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Photos posted by Andrea Gibson

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Blog posts

The Obama Puppet Two days ago
tinfoil Nov 10
Bed Bugs Nov 5

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Sep 30, 09:54 PM

I would love to see you! consider visiting Toronto?
Wendy M
Jun 01, 02:11 PM

would love to see you live in Sydney.
Sara S
Nov 04 2008, 12:14 PM

Hey Andrea! So glad to see you again in New York at the Bowery and Rockwood. I'm looking forward to your next east coast visit. And, Happy Halloween.
May 15 2008, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the great show last night in Bellingham. You were amazing!!!!
Nov 13 2007, 02:37 PM

Omg, my life is complete. I have Andrea Gibson on my profile. She rocks my world. :-)
Aug 24 2007, 03:31 PM

<3

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Videos posted by Andrea Gibson

Birthday by Andrea Gibson

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i do

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for Eli
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i do
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wells to fill
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Thank Goodness
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Pole Dancer
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Birthday, for jenn
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Yellowbird
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Trellis
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Ashes (feat. Chris Pureka)
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How It Ends
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Every Month
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The Pursuit of Happiness
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Crab Apple Pirates
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Name That Meat
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Hungry (feat. Raven Tekwe)
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Stay (feat. Kerry Claxton and Raven Tekwe)
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Prison-Industrial
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Maybe I Need You (feat. Kim Taylor)
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Say Yes
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Photograph
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blue blanket
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Glider Plane (music by johnmark husher)
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Stay
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Hungry
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Ashes (feat. Chris Pureka)
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Kaye Y: "Thank you Andrea.. LUV this one v much."

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Played the most by: Faux Pas Productions and Fuzed Music (34 plays)

Most recently played by: 1kcjones (17 days ago)

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When The Bough Breaks

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