Today we’d like to introduce you to Gfire.
Gfire, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am originally from Baltimore Maryland, but I moved to Austin in the mid-1990’s so that I could live in the “Live Music Capital of the World.” I have played hundreds of shows as a singer/songwriter from Austin to Los Angeles to Cannes, France. I started my podcast “Women in Music with gfire” at the end of 2017 in which I interview other women singer/songwriters. Each episode highlights one awesome woman and features one song (either performed live or from a previous recording) that the artist feels is one of her best original works.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Does any artist have a smooth road? My biggest challenge has been conquering my mental health issues by keeping up with medication, therapy, regular sleep, exercise, and a vegan diet. I also have to deal with haters – whenever you put your music out there, not everyone is going to be into it. I work hard to ignore the negative comments and to move on to produce the best music I can.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My company – under the umbrella of “gfire” – includes my output as a singer/songwriter (3 CD’s at this point – working on #4), my music teaching (singing, piano, folk guitar, songwriting), my “Women in Music with gfire” podcast, classical piano gigs (for holidays and parties), music production for others who wish to put out a recording, and the occasional DJ gig.
I strive for excellence in all of my teaching and performing. I think my performances are memorable because I put in my 110%. I also help my music students really thrive and reach their own musical goals, whether it is singing in a touring band, playing “Fur Elise” on the piano, or even working hard to perform in one of my two yearly student recitals at my studio (one in April, one in October).
I have even developed my “Yoga for the Voice” singing technique which allows every singer to tune up her/his voice to its greatest potential. I have been teaching singing for over two decades and have helped hundreds of students achieve their vocal goals.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My therapist deserves most of the credit. I have spoken with her weekly for about a decade and a half and she really has been the biggest cheerleader for me in my career.
My engineer Stuart Sullivan has also been a great asset. He encourages me to be as creative as possible with my original music and to not worry about the pop charts or sounding like anyone else.
Some of the women I have worked with on the podcast have been surprisingly complimentary to me and my work – it is lovely to be acknowledged by your peers.
Pricing:
- “Yoga for the Voice” lessons – $80/hour (available over SKYPE and FaceTime as well)
- Piano, folk guitar, songwriting, music production $70/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gfiremusic.com/
- Phone: 512.350.6181
- Email: gfiremusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfiremusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gfiremusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gfire
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gfire-austin
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