11th & J ARTIST RELATIONS
GIDEON’S DAUGHTER
A GIDEON WORTH NOTING REVEALS A HIDDEN TRUTH
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Uncommon creativity, unconventional and unexpected are seeds that sprout Gideon’s Daughter
Gideon’s Daughter (www.gideonsdaughter.com) – What do The Beatles, Criminal Minds, and Wenatchee Washington have in common?
They all have a Gideon worth noting.
For the Beatles it was in reference to what a gun toting raccoon finds in his room. For CBS’s Criminal Minds it’s a former BAU profiler. And for the lucky folks in Wenatchee Washington, it’s a part of Lisa and Brad Petit’s band name.
Gideon’s Daughter has been together in this incarnation for about a year. With their first EP Hidden Truth available on iTunes, they’ve been writing more, touring a lot, and following their dog Kobi around their homestead on their four-wheeler.
“He leads the way. He can get up to 35 miles an hour!” Brad says with a smile.
It’s hard not to smile around these guys. Lisa, who describes the band as barefoot and acoustic, says, “There’s a lot of negativity out there and we don’t want to be a part of that… I want people to walk away from the shows light and happy… refreshed and inspired.”
Take the simple originality of The Civil Wars, the uncommon creative melodies of Mumford and Sons, and the unconventional unexpected instrument work of Flogging Molly. Add some grunging Screaming Trees and emoting Matthew & the Atlas. Put all that on top of the real-deals Johnny Cash and Jack White. Sprinkle in some Ani DiFranco soul songstress and Punch Brothers’ bluegrass. And you’ve got the seeds that sprouted Gideon’s Daughter.
Brad and Lisa, a married couple, are joined in this trio by Eric Frank: bass player, recording engineer, good guy, and the best man from their wedding, who also plays the snare drum with his feet.
Lisa explains, “We all came to practice one night and Brad says, ’Guess what, we’re not gonna hire a drummer, we’ll all be the drummer.’” So we have bass & foot-snare from Eric, Lisa adds shakers, cymbals and vocals, and Brad brings in acoustic guitar, piano, more vocals, and the kick drum.
Lisa expounds that although the deconstructed drum set is a little different, it really has been a lot of fun. And fun is what Gideon’s Daughter is about. With her background in singing and acting, (which includes attendance at the prestigious Academy of Performing Arts in Pasadena which Lisa doesn’t even think to mention,) Lisa is quite comfortable on stage. She says, “I believe when you go to a show, you want to see a show. It shouldn’t be boring.”
Brad’s traditional and formal musical background was based in classical music. “Jazz was my rebellion. I skipped over the 80’s.” When asked ‘why now’ to form Gideon’s Daughter and begin the trek for a “small townie” band to achieve world domination, he says, “Eh, now is the time to get back into it while I still have all my hair.”
“Gideon’s Daughter’s first show was in front of 2200 people opening up for Styx. “ Brad says with excitement. The Petit’s explain that they won a fan-voting Facebook contest open to bands that play original music. First prize was the opening spot for Styx.
“And we’re nothing like them!” Lisa adds in an equally excited manner. “But it went really well! They told us we could open for them anytime.”
Brad and Lisa are more likely to kid around, get playful in their videos, and enjoy a laugh than to brag about their talents or achievements, such as having written all the songs from Hidden Truth themselves in only 2 weeks. There are no big egos here, just an easy feeling of inviting music. You don’t just listen to songs like “Fire by the River” or “Going Gone.” You want to know these songs. You want to make friends with this music. You want to like these guys.
Often playing shows that last 3 hours, Gideon’s Daughter does employ some good-time cover songs. Deee-Lite, The Violent Fems, Dropkick Murphys, and Muse are among the covered in Gideon’s Daughter’s live show.
“Ain’t Got Nuthin’” is the first break-out single from the Hidden Truth EP. So break-out in fact, that it launched prior to the EP release. When asked why, Brad explains, “We had the most fun with it. It resonated with the people that were listening to it even for the first time. It’s one of those in your face easy light songs. Upbeat. And fun. And that sums up the band, too.”
And he’s right; that really does sum up the band. There’s talk of a full length CD by Christmas, more touring, and many more good times to come with Gideon’s Daughter.
For more information on Gideon’s Daughter, photos, or interviews, contact Shellie Wilkinson: eleventhandj@ymail.com or www.gideonsdaughter.com
11th & J Artists
4083 Foothill Road, Ste. A, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (805) 689-7917
Contact: Shellie Wilkinson (805) 689-7917 eleventhandj@ymail.com
