Gringa - Press

Press

Gringa: Artivists Dropping ‘Letters From A. Broad’

Interview with songwriter Maya Finlay, published on October 10, 2017 in Enclave by Marlena Fitzpatrick

"Gringa is a five-piece Worldbeat band based in San Francisco, CA that weaves infectious rhythms from Brazil and the Americas with a unique sound that lyrical content that questions the status quo. Gringa’s thought-provoking original songs in English and Portuguese, highlight a female-dominated lineup challenges patriarchal norms and stereotypes. While many lyrics contain tongue-in-cheek humor, others address serious themes of love, loss, and social and eco justice. Gringa is a self-proclaimed artivist aiming for inclusiveness and internationalism, whose music connects with people, and connects people together, dismantling bigotry one beat at a time.

Fronted by Maya Finlay (sound engineer, singer, and guitar/cavaco player), the all-female quintet released their latest album Letters from A. Broad, artfully bending both genre lines and traditional gender expectations once again. To discuss this production, Maya explains their activism and story behind the album."

...Read the FULL INTERVIEW

Gringa "Letters From A. Broad"

Album review published on July 18, 2017 in Derek's Music Blog

"One of the most exciting, up-and-coming new bands in San Francisco’s live scene is Gringa, a five-piece female band who recently, have been winning friends and influencing people with their unique, genre-melting sound. The basis for Gringa’s irresistible, hook-laden sound are the rhythms from the music of Brazil and the Americas. This includes Brazilian forro, maracatu and samba, which is combined with elements of funk, hip hop, jazz, Latin, pop, reggae and rock. Add to this scorching saxophone solos, tight harmonies and carefully, crafted arrangements, and the result is a potent and heady musical brew that once tasted, is never forgotten.

No wonder; once Gringa get the party started, their genre-melting sound transports the audience to somewhere warm, tropical and exotic, as Gringa as they work their way through the set-list. It features a mixture of their own compositions which are interspersed with a few cover versions. Mostly, though, Gringa stick to their own songs, which are delivered in both English and Portuguese and with a certain panache."

...Read the FULL REVIEW

"I'ma Build A Home" featured on WorldBeatUK with Glyn Phillips

Aired June 6, 2017 on Brum Radio (17:44)

"I REALLY like that track, it’s definitely a soundtrack to summer kind of song. You just need an open-top car, a sunny day, and a beach within easy driving distance."

Gringa defends their hyphens victoriously – @ Elbo Room 6/7

Single review of "I'ma Build a Home", published on June 4, 2016 in SF Critic by Joey Coe

"In today’s music world, and especially in the Bay Area, there’s no shortage of musical fusion projects. From indie-pop, to folk-punk to afro-carribean-folk-jazz, pretty soon there won’t be any hyphens left for the rest of us.

A lot of these genres fuse wonderfully, like coffee and cream. But some fuse more like coffee and fish tacos. Independently, both very delicious. But if you try to dunk your fish taco in my coffee, I will karate chop you in the neck.

Thus I approached Gringa with some trepidation. An all-female San Francisco based band, fronted by a Canadian, that claims to blend Brazilian, Latin, funk and rock music. My karate chop was quivering with anticipation."

...Read the FULL REVIEW

Gringa on Espresso Sesh with Nino Musco

Interview/Performance aired April 5, 2016 on BFF.fm

"Gringa is an all-female band that blends Brazilian, Latin, funk, rock and reggae grooves with sophisticated harmonies and memorable songwriting, seducing listeners into a tropical vacation on the dancefloor while dissolving stereotypes and cultural barriers.

Enjoy the session with the band playing some tunes, discussing their history and influences."

...Listen to the FULL EPISODE