Adrianne Gonzalez, Garrison Starr, and Maia Sharp

Beware of looking directly because you might just be blinded

By Valerie Milano

 Hollywood, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/12/2012 – “Well, I did an inspired version, which is a big difference from a cover. I tried to stay true to the song, but make it my own, which was particularly challenging. I try to keep my music androgynous so that everyone can relate, but I did not change the lyrics ” Singer/songwriter AG on her most recent release of the Beatles hit, I Want To Be Your Man. AG, otherwise known as Adrianne Gonzalez has been planting her seeds throughout the music community since 19. With eight albums and a shitload of performances, experiences, and collaborations under her belt it is no wonder the openly lesbian artist has created such a buzz amongst the music industry and enthusiasts alike.

Her performance this past Saturday at Room 5, alongside longtime counterparts Garrison Star and Maia Sharp, proved to be a show of her talent, technique and ability to engage an audience through her voice, literally and figuratively. Together, the trio flowed easily between creating harmonies that left hairs standing on your neck and a hilarious banter that could only be found within a group of individuals who have shared a common ground in life and love on the stage. However, every time AG stepped to the mic, the timbre of her soul cut through the sold-out crowd like a warm knife through butter. She included her ideologies and passions as she explained the birth of each song, connecting with the audience word-by-word and chord-by-chord.

Her most recent project is a collection of songs by the Beatles, affectionately and appropriately titled The Beatles, including the break out hit, I Want To Be Your Man. Ironically, Gonzalez’s publishing company holds the rights to the last six songs not owned by major labels and megastars, and suggested she give it a try. While she did find the process of recreating the songs to fit within her style the ultimate challenge, it was one she felt honored and willing to take on. Though one might argue that The Beatles are one group that should never really be covered, AG does and excellent job of capturing the mood, energy and statement of the song in her own right. She also includes a captivating video, which portrays a transition from ultimate female to a man worthy of the love themed throughout the tune.

Having recently recorded and toured with The Rescues (Universal Republic), AG is poised and ready to make her mark on history not only within the realm of music, but also as a visual artist and director. Branding everything under the guise of AG Inc. this is one young woman who has found expression for her beliefs through the arts and may well go on to pave the way for others like herself. Whether through music, paintings or a new video, AG is a woman on the rise, beware of looking directly because you might just be blinded.