Thanks to Slim Critchlow for featuring GWT on Berkeley Cable Channel 28 in his show “The Open Mic Documentary”. This show has aired 3 times this month (9/08).

The band thanks the front page of the Orinda News, the Oakland Tribune blog “East Bay Outtakes” and the Lamorinda Sun for mentioning GWT in their July 2008 publications!

“There’s a hint of Fiona Apple in the way Grace Woods modulates her voice from high to low and sing to speak, though Woods’ wide range causes her to sometimes drift past the sweet spot. Musically, the trio - piano, bass, and drums - explores dark pop from a jazz perspective.”

- Nate Seltenrich for the East Bay Express
Click Here for the “Local Licks” Article.

“GRACE-FUL ENDING: The East Bay’s own Grace Woods Trio celebrates the release of its new CD, “Metaphoreality,” on Jan. 27 at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Show time is 8 p.m. Since there’s no football this weekend, there’s no good excuse for not going out to hear a band that’s been described as a mix of the Ben Folds Five, Tori Amos and Ella Fitzgerald. In my book, that’s two-thirds of a really intriguing mix — I’ll let you guess how my math breaks down.”

-Jim Harrington of the Contra Costa Times
Read the Contra Costa Times Article

“The Bay Area singer-songwriter-pianist has been compared to Fiona Apple and Tori Amos, but her favorite band is Fleetwood Mac. I’ve no idea what that means, but I’ve heard good things about this trio.”

-Randy McMullen of the Contra Costa Times
Click the following for the Contra Costa Times article The Week’s Top 10 Events featuring the GWT album release.

“An English major and graduate of UCLA, Grace’s lyrics are demonstrative of her academic stature. Woods brings an interesting dimension to the table referencing her indigenous roots.”

-Orinda News

“Songs like ‘Paper Pillow,’ with its easy-going tempo that jumps to a sped-up whirl of lyrics or the jaunty ‘Keep Away,’ a snappy, head-bobbing number about an unwanted suitor, play like the perfect songs to cast in an off-Broadway musical. At first listen, these songs may seem bizarre and warped, but it doesn’t take long until you’ve seeped yourself into their cerebral world and find them irresistible.

Other selections may be prove more accessible, like ‘Content To Lie Awake,’ a groovy guitar-heavy track that nearly evokes the aura of Concrete Blonde, and ‘Rising Tear,’ a hushed, intimate song that simply paints a beautiful picture of an afternoon spent swimming in the lake.”

-Robbie McCown of womenfolk.net. Read the whole article at Womenfolk.net.

The Grace Woods Trio received more votes in one night than any of the other 135 bands for the 2007 San Francisco Emergenza Festival Battle of the Bands. Did I mention that they rallied the top number of votes as the opening band on a Thursday night? Needless to say, the Trio made it through 4 rounds to the championship and proved as they do again and again, that the music brings pleasure and people to every venue.

“Jammin Dave Jackson” of the Musician’s Cooler just interviewed Grace on his show. They talk about music promotion, some crazy tales from the road, and how the song “Johnny and Me” came to be. Subscribe to the show on iTUNES or go to their site to hear the archive.

The Trio was also recently interviewed by Ian Moore of Culture Shock News on KCEG Jazz Beat Radio 97.7 and 88.1FM. To hear the archive, visit Culture Shock News!

The Trio was also more recently mentioned on the front page of the Ross Valley Reporter in the August 22nd article, “Fairfax hosts Katrina Benefit”. Their web addition at www.marinscope.com will soon be up and running.

The Trio’s song “Johnny and Me” was just featured in October of 2007 on the Mothpod Podcast, an Independent music podcast hosted by Zack the Mothman Daggy. For those of you unfamiliar with podcasts, visit podshow.com to hear free shows on the podsafe network.

AWARDS

Garage Band
The off-beat tune, “Phone Song” is featured on Garageband.com, having won the following awards in June: “Best Female Vocals”, “Best Mood”, “Best Drums”, “Best Melody” and above all “Most Original”. Also, “Papier Mache” has recieved a 5 out of 5 star rating as well as the “Best Female Vocals”, “Best Drums” (September) and “Best Keyboards” awards for August. It is currently ranked #38 out of 616 songs in the acoustic category. Furthermore, the song was displayed as the Song of the Day on September 5th! Visit Grace Woods at Garage Band.

West Coast Songwriters
Other songs have also been noticed by the West Coast Songwriter’s Association! In July of 2007 in the Sacramento chapter, Grace won “Best Performance” for her presentation of the song “Johnny and Me”. In October of 2005, Grace won the “Best Song” award for the WCS East Bay Openmic for her original “Papier Mache”. Go to Westcoastsongwriters.org for more info on this extremely useful songwriters’ forum.

What other musicians, journalists and club owners are saying:

“Very individualistic sound. Grace is excellent and a very talented singer/songwriter. This lady will go places.”
-Kid Ric of KIAC Internet Radio

“what we are missing in this electronic world.”
-Ian Moore of KCEG Jazzbeat Radio 99.7FM Oakland

“There’s… an immediacy and a vitality to the music and the vocals, like [they] captured the perfect recordings on the first few takes.”
-Christopher Waters, owner of the Nomad Cafe

“The discordant harmonies are original and work well.” -Qatarla

“Something new. That female vocal reaches right out of the speaker and grabs the listener. Piano is good. The songs have a quirky vocal rhythm. Its like going down a roller coaster ride that turns every which way. Lyrics are clever.”
-hillgruebel

A Recent E-mail from a Fan:

Hey Grace,
You probably already know I really dig “Just This
Once” but I wanted to tell you that I just don’t dig
it, but believe it to be a great song. I just reread
the lyrics now, and there’s just so much there we can
all relate to profoundly–anybody who’s been in those
angered helpless landscapes in love. There are levels
and dimensions to those words, ironies and pain, that
go deep. Again, it’s a profound song, one that has
affected me powerfully. But I promise I won’t keep
requesting THAT one every time you play ;)

Love,
Tim

More Fan E-mails

“I was very impressed with you when you played the Cannery last week. I’m
glad I happened to be there, it was very nice to meet you. I found you on
iTunes, and I’m definitely enjoying the CD I bought from you!”

Brian, Sacramento

“I want a talented musican to play during lunch 12 - 1pm for entertainment. Having witnessed your beautiful music, you’re my first choice. Are you interested?”

Wendy, Every Child Counts, First Five Alameda

“my god woman! you’re amazing! i had no idea…sadly enough! i’m
terrible…anyway, just wanted to let you know that I listened to you and i
was very impressed.”

Katy D, SF

“hey grace, amy from eccolo. i absolutely loved your music. it’s been so long
since i’ve heard such an amazing alto voice. you rock girl and i can’t wait to
hear you in person. my favorite off that cd is papier mache. so cool!”

Amy, Berkeley

“You did a great job for us on Solo keys. Your voice is truly a gift. Bravo!
Please feel free to use me as a reference in for any of your future musical endeavors.”

Dave C, Walnut Creek