Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz
Millsboro, Delaware, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
"...the loops, the beats, the chops, the total excitement... a sensational experience"
- Jeffrey Gaines, musician, Comment at Christine's Steel City Show (Apr 09, 2016) - Jeffrey Gaines
From The Key (wxpn) : Tonight's Concert Picks
Long-running Philly singer-songwriter Christine Havrilla is in the midst of a live recording series with her band Gypsy Fuzz. Their latest, Volume 3: The Old Church Sessions, was recorded at an actual old church (The Virginia Napurano Cultural Arts Center) with Stockton, NJ's WDVR radio using only one microphone. Havrilla and the band relied on the placement of the instruments and the acoustics of the room (as well as the polite silence of the audience) to create the sound of the recording, since there was no fancy mixing board to fall back on. As you can hear below in "Set Me Free," it turned out pretty nicely. Tonight, Havrilla and the band play at the Bryn Mawr Gazebo. - The Key -wxpn
" Christine Havrilla was one of the most talked about acts at The Ladybug Festival last year (2015)"
-Jeremy Hebbel, Gable Music Ventures - Gable Music Adventures
Mike “Jacobs” McKenna of Steel Notes Magazine states, “This CD (Vol. 2- The Sunset Sessions) just defies description. It is hot, tight, precise and just plain kicks ass. If I were still programming radio, I'd be all over this! My recommendation is go hear the band live, buy the CD and experience what I have just heard. I give this 2 THUMBS UP!” - Steel Notes Magazine
"With Gypsy Fuzz (the album and the band), Christine Havrilla takes especially that rock element and turns it to 11. Gypsy Fuzz fuses fantastic guitar work with Christine's vocals, which can reach down inside and grab your heart. A very diverse album, showing elements of rock, blues and even country, among others, Gypsy Fuzz continues Christine's string of fantastic albums. Buy it." - Mark Rogers, 93.7 WSTW
Christine Havrilla released her first album in 1996. Three years later, she devoted her career to her music. She’s never regretted the decision. She now has 13 albums and EPs to her credit. And though Havrilla is a musician first, she’s also a stellar producer, manager and booking agent.
What’s the best part of your career?
I totally love playing live the most, whether it’s solo or with my band, Gypsy Fuzz. It’s when I get to share the music and connect with people and see their reactions. It’s so rewarding. I perform every week, but I also do a lot of office work—posting on social media, working on contracts, working on websites. My favorite part of the week is when I actually get to work on music and practice.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I’m constantly searching out work. As an independent artist, you have to make things happen. Sometimes I’m not making ends meet, but with all that going on, I’m still happy because I’m performing and I’m playing and I’m sharing the music. I meet so many amazing people, and it makes up for the difficult stuff that happens along the way.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
First and foremost, don’t try and be like everybody else. Find your voice. Find your song. Sing from your soul. Do whatever makes you feel complete. Also, respect everyone in the business, from the person at the door to the owner of the establishment. - Main Line Today Magazine
"Sexy acoustic rocker takes her smooth voice and stunning chord changes to the famous CBGB Gallery stage"
With her band and electrified, this tight trio brings her songs to life. In the intimate setting of the famous Gallery in the East Village, Christine sits on the brink of breaking out. All she needs is to be heard and you will fall in love - onlineTv.com
She Rocks! - Philadelphia Magazine
CHRISTINE HAVRILLA - Making her Atlanta debut, Pennsylvania-based Havrilla cuts through the murky singer-songwriter waters with a more sophisticated compositional vision, far removed from the disappointing good-voice-simplistic-strum-along formula. The alternate-tuning arrangements and full-band sensibilities of her sophomore release Some Other Thing give the feeling that she's from the rare but appreciated 'player first, folk singer second' school of folk rock. Eddie's Attic. - Matthew Hutchinson
CHRISTINE HAVRILLA - Making her Atlanta debut, Pennsylvania-based Havrilla cuts through the murky singer-songwriter waters with a more sophisticated compositional vision, far removed from the disappointing good-voice-simplistic-strum-along formula. The alternate-tuning arrangements and full-band sensibilities of her sophomore release Some Other Thing give the feeling that she's from the rare but appreciated 'player first, folk singer second' school of folk rock. Eddie's Attic. - Matthew Hutchinson
“Christine Havrilla delivers stories in her songs. Stories we not only relate to but clearly visualize as we listen...if she didn’t possess that rare ability to make her songs so easily accessible, memorable and heartfelt, then you wouldn’t come back for more. And you will come back for more.” - Dean Sciarra - ItsAboutMusic.com
"Christine has a great knack for infectious melodies with really fun hooks. Compounded with an incredible live performance, you CAN NOT go wrong! Pop this one in the cd player and you'll find you can't take it out." - Helen Leicht, music director of Philadelphia's WXPN
“Christine Havrilla delivers stories in her songs. Stories we not only relate to but clearly visualize as we listen...if she didn’t possess that rare ability to make her songs so easily accessible, memorable and heartfelt, then you wouldn’t come back for more. And you will come back for more.” - Dean Sciarra - ItsAboutMusic.com
"Christine Havrilla offers the kind of pop songwriting that should definitely not be overlooked. With her recently released CD, Ruby Red, Havrilla has shifted from the typical Lilith Fair pigeonhole into her own enjoyable sound."
-Nate Bauer - Blue Weekly/ Center Dailiy Times
“Christine Havrilla is the quintessential pop-rock Goddess. She writes well crafted, easily accessible, hooky songs, and plays a very respectable lead guitar. Her stage presence is high energy, and infectious. Buy her CD, see her Live you will not be disappointed. - Dena Marchiony, Co-Founder/ Executive Director, Philadelphia Songwriters Project
I am absolutely enthralled with (Havrilla's) latest, Velocity. From the start of the first song, “Hole in the Ground”, I'm completely blown away and hooked. Havrilla’s talent is not only music but to take you away from the hum drum of life and go on a journey where she is the driver and we are her passengers. -Madalyn Sklar
(Founder/Publisher, GoGirlsMusic.com - Houston, TX)
- GoGirlsMusic.com
I am absolutely enthralled with (Havrilla's) latest, Velocity. From the start of the first song, “Hole in the Ground”, I'm completely blown away and hooked. Havrilla’s talent is not only music but to take you away from the hum drum of life and go on a journey where she is the driver and we are her passengers. -Madalyn Sklar
(Founder/Publisher, GoGirlsMusic.com - Houston, TX)
- GoGirlsMusic.com
"Velocity help(s) Havrilla get from where she is to where she's going, and it's any number of solid tracks to recommend it. "Blinders" and "Ride" showcase Havrilla's depth and craftmanship; they're well-built, catchy, smart tunes. At the end of the day, Havrilla's a talented veteran songwriter, one who's worth joining for the ride."
-Andrew Peterson, Upstage Magazine - Upstage Magazine
Discography
Vol 3.- The Old Church Sessions (2015)
Vol 2. -The Sunset Sessions (2014)
Vol. 1- The Creamery Sessions EP (2014)
Gypsy Fuzz-Searching. Finding. Living. (2011)
A Collection (2011)
Winter Evening (2009)
In My Chair (2008)
Velocity (2006)
Ruby Red EP (June 2005)
This Whirlwind Life (2002)
Halo EP (2000 live bootleg & apartment recordings)
Some Other Thing (1998)
Christine Havrilla (1996)
Photos
Bio
"Neofunkadlicfolkpoptwangrock"
Award-winning Philadelphia native Christine Havrilla brings her “well-built, catchy, smart tunes” (Upstage Magazine) to audiences everywhere, touring nationally solo and also with the support of her band, Gypsy Fuzz. Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty listeners quickly embrace as well as her aggressive, raw, trash-style guitar playing and looping. Main Line Today Magazine lists Christine as one the 25 “Power Women” ready to lead (October 2015). “Christine Havrilla is a creative, talented powerhouse wrapped up in one complete package!” exclaims Nor’easter Magazine (Aug 2015). Mike “Jacobs” McKenna of Steel Notes Magazine reviews & says “This CD (Vol. 2- The Sunset Sessions) just defies description. It is hot, tight, precise and just plain kicks ass. This ambitious Philly native manifests her talent in certain ways that allows her to create eclectic music which will grab your heart and leave a lasting memory. Her Roots/Folk/Americana background coupled with that unique individuality that she possesses allows her to be a presence that steps into many genres and gives her the tools to crossover to different music formats. My recommendation is go hear the band live, buy the CD and experience what I have just heard. I give this 2 THUMBS UP!” Mark Rogers from 93.7 WSTW raves, “…with Gypsy Fuzz (the album and the band), Christine takes especially that rock element and turns it to 11. Gypsy Fuzz fuses fantastic guitar work with Christine’s vocals, which can reach down inside and grab your heart. A very diverse album, showing elements of rock, blues and even country, among others, Gypsy Fuzz continues Christine’s string of fantastic albums. Buy it.” Named "One of the Top Ten Indie Artists" by The Advocate Magazine, The Washington Post writes, “(Havrilla’s) songs are intelligent and moving, the arrangements are incisive and colorful, and, best of all, Havrilla consistently comes across as a confident and seasoned performer.” Gypsy Fuzz’s premier album titled “Searching. Finding. Living.”, co-produced by Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, Cat Power), was listed on Advocate Magazine’s not to be missed “Best Overlooked Albums of 2011!” (Advocate -November 2011) Christine is listed with Takamine Guitar’s Worldwide Artists, was a featured Artist for American Musical Supply’s Singer/Songwriter Month (Feb 2015), nominated for About.com's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards, awarded the 2010 Garden State Film Festival’s “Best Contemporary Country Song” for “Blinders”, nominated for 3 “Homey Awards” (2015) for 93.7 WSTW, and is called "...raw, simple, wonderful!" by Curve Magazine. Inessa at 101.9 KINK.FM calls Gypsy Fuzz "Yet another fun late-year discovery!" Michaela Majoun, former DJ from 88.5 WXPN, applauds her "terrific, big sound”, while Philadelphia Magazine states, “She rocks!” Larry Goldfarb of the famous Tin Angel venue shares, “Christine is such a kind person and a great talent!” Christine’s current project is a series of “Live Session” volumes, with “Vol. 1- The Creamery Sessions”, “Vol. 2- The Sunset Sessions”, and “Vol. 3- The Old Church Sessions” now available.
Band Members
Links
