Geri X Gossip page – what people are saying

The X Factor – Inthisweek.com – by Autumn Thatcher, 5-18-2010

Geri X bares all in an effort to remain honest with her fans.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Geri X is calling IN from the desert in Joshua Tree, Calif. Though she should be en route to that night’s show, the singer/songwriter is stressing out over the fact that her bus has broken down for the second time in two weeks. Due to inconsiderate employees working for International Bus Group who, apparently, have no desire to help a customer who is stuck in the middle of nowhere, X and her backup musicians feel like they have been screwed over, and are trying to figure out how they will get from Joshua Tree to their next stop without having to cancel any more shows. After some time discussing the group’s unfortunate situation, X takes a deep breath and begins to talk about her music.

The Tampa Bay native emanates sophistication and maturity when she speaks. I’m surprised to learn that she recently celebrated her 21st birthday. For someone so young, X has accomplished a lot. The self-described indie-folk-rocker has recorded seven albums on her own, and is out promoting the recent release of her eighth album, “The Bedroom Sessions,” which was released on Underrated Records, an Atlanta-based label that she signed on to in January of this year.

“This is the first time ever that I am proud of a record. It took time for us to figure out that we do have the ability to stand up for ourselves and make the music that we want to play,” explains X.

She goes on to say that, for her, the time to create this album was primarily spent on figuring out how she could capture her live show in the studio.

“I don’t care much for recording. It’s not as intense as a live gig, but I am really happy with this record. It’s still me, but different than what fans are used to. The best way I can describe it is to say it’s swelly and melodic. It swells up and goes down,” says X.

After discussing her happiness with her latest album, the sultry voiced, tattooed, beauty describes her writing process.

“It’s all taken from day-to-day personal experiences and feelings. I can’t dedicate time to writing; the songs come out when they come out. I am a storyteller more than anything. Maybe it’s because that is the kind of music that I am drawn to, but I think that it is a really big therapy. Especially when you are feeling alone, you can bask in the music and just listen,” explains X.

As she continues to talk about her music, it becomes apparent that, for this musician, the relationship with her music is a very personal one that she does not take lightly. X is very humble when she speaks about her musical creations, though when listening to her album, it is obvious that she has earned herself some boasting rights. Though she could brag, she chooses instead to talk about her gratitude to loyal fans, who most recently raised $5,300 in a fundraiser to help get her bus fixed the first time that it broke down so that they could see her perform. As X talks about her fans, it raises the question of what one might experience at a live Geri X show.

“I am by no means an entertainer. I have always wanted to be an entertainer but I don’t have it in me. I don’t talk into the microphone because I don’t really know what to say. I just close my eyes and do my thing. We got on stage and get lost. It’s an honest set of songs and an honest set of feelings. We’re not really spectacular people on stage, but it’s a very personal experience,” says X.

Music lovers all over the nation will get the opportunity to bask in Geri X’s personal experience onstage as she will be touring solid for the next seven months.

“We’ve never done anything as big as what we’re doing now. We wanna work this CD hard, and be strong and connect with the audience,” says X.

Utah fans will get the opportunity to check out Geri X at Bar Deluxe. Anyone who is a fan of soulful and honest music will want to experience Geri X, and as she works her way up in the world of music, those who check out her May 25 show can relish in the fact that they were there to witness the brilliance of Geri X the first time she ever played in Utah.

Geri X – The Bedroom Sessions – Reax Music, 4-29-2010

Atlanta based songstress, Geri X, returns with her seventh full-length release, The Bedroom Sessions. It’s 12-songs of mostly new material except for the updates of four old tracks: “You’re A Pearl”, “Monument”, “When I Die”, and “Kiss Both Eyelids”

The former Tampa resident has said Bedroom is the first album that hasn’t induced cringes when she listens to it, and that she now knows what it means to be satisfied with a set of songs; however, the offerings on this album are more than satisfactory.

In fact, The Bedroom Sessions looks to be an effort that can propel the Atlanta songstress even further into the limelight.

She’s come a long way from standing in from of crowds with just a guitar and her voice, and this full band effort has your attention right out of the gate. It doesn’t sound like it was recorded in a bedroom at all. In fact, it’s a nicely polished set of songs where almost every track could be a single. The songs are catchy, and Geri X’s delivery is simultaneously unique and easy to listen to.

Musically, the tracks on Bedroom are nicely fleshed out. Over 45 minutes, the band cultivates an almost perfect patch of sonic landscape on which to plant a Geri X vocal.

Her voice is a big reason for Bedroom’s accessibility. Thanks to solid instrumentation that’s not overbearing, her spotless vocals can effortlessly execute catchy pop (“Ok, go, “Modest Mouse”), the breakup anthem (“Goodbye”), and heartfelt melancholy (“Falling Through”).

She’s got pipes, but underneath those pipes is a heart, and the emotional makeup of the album seems to be rooted in a pure place. On “You’re Half Mine,” Geri X takes a stab at the duet and nails the feeling of longing that is present at all post-breakup conversations.

The Bedroom Sessions is the type of record that gets repeated spins in car stereos because listeners feel connected to, and invested in, the situations each song presents. While it doesn’t hurt that the arrangements lend themselves to instant head bobbing and botched sing-along attempts, the album’s staying power is cemented in the fact that Geri X has put together a solid collection of songs that proves she’s more than just a local starlet set to steal the scene. She knows what she’s doing, and she’s got the band to back it up.

Geri X Comes Home! – Creative Loafing, 1-15-2009
“She appeared on the Bay area scene about four years ago, an exotically pretty, shy girl with an acoustic guitar and a mysterious name: Geri X.

Geri X – Anthems of a Mended Heart; this comes from “Musicians for Impeachment”
http://www.myspace.com/pledgetoimpeach

Geri X – vocals, Guitar; Greg Roteik – Guitar, bass; Anthony Zollo- Percussion 2008 Geri X

She is not on eMusic or iTunes, so I had to actually order and wait in the mail for an actual CD. I was thrilled when it was hand addressed, with “limited Edition print” on the cover.. There was no personal message signed with xoxoxo, however.

I have been raving about Geri x for a few months now, but this is the first full length work I have listened to. I was worried that I had just heard her best music so the filler stuff might not cut it. Even if that turned out to be true she is still a major talent that I predict national recognition for in the near future.
Well I was not disappointed. I won’t say she blows everyone else away. In fact I only gave four stars to 7 songs of the 14, but all the rest got three stars. There is not one bad track or one that doesn’t deserve to be on here.

It starts out with “3,000 lines of Defense”. A fantastic song that highlights everything that is so great about her voice, music, song writing, and orchestration (2 guitars and a drum). It is some sort of anti war song, but it may be about relationships too. Hard to tell. But there is this vaguely baltic guitar rhythm that runs straight through and a mandolin-like sound that flutters around in counterpoint to her alternating firm and wandering voice. Beautifully evocative and powerful. This is followed by “Paint Yourself Crazy”. A more typical song, simple interleaving guitars that back up her strong vocals. But the rhythms and counterpoint of all the instruments are totally engaging. with “When I Die” the intensity of Geri’s voice takes complete control of the music. So simple and so moving. About death I think. ALMOST the best song on the album After these three songs, I am amazed that she is not already a household name.

The next 4 songs are ONLY really good. “Two Birds Sittin’ On A Bridge” is the first 3 star song (maybe 3.5). Just a beautiful fun ballad, with her own background vocals adding depth and warmth.. Then “Mom”, which should be special to me since mine just died. But since I didn’t feel that close to her, maybe it doesn’t resonate personally. Still it is another beautiful song. “Talent Is a Torture”. Needs the lyrics listened to carefully. Just another good song about being an artist and human being. “Monument” is a light chord filled song about an engineer? maybe a woman? But it is a solid 3 stars

“Astral Planes” kicks the album back into high gear, with a snare drum, and rolling chords and just Geri’s almost stream of consciousness views on how we should all just get along. But it is great. “In a Body That is Cursed” is a soft beautiful ballad about struggling through the damage of relationships and how that affects reaching for love. “The Devil” is a song about the devil. The devil that follows you around and keeps telling you “you ain’t got nothing coming to you child”. It shouldn’t be as good as it is, but man her voice just lifts the song.

So from two simple, but deep, pretty songs we go to “End of The World”. I am typing the entire lyrics to the song below. And while they are provocative when read, there is nothing amazing about them by themselves. But again, when Geri’s voice and the intertwining guitars fully are engaged I am transported to musical heaven. She brings such a feeling of fatalism, deep into your heart. It is not a terrible feeling. though certainly sad. But it is a journey that forces you to go with her and create your own images.

“When the end of the world finally comes, there’ll be no one to listen. …All my words, really writes, What I have made of my existence. Walk along all the time down a street of busy people. I don’t think I’m invisible. They won’t look at me anymore. Never felt so bad, loving something so much. Pushing, pushing, pushing, me away. Pushing, pushing, pushing, me away.”
“When the end of the world finally comes, there’ll be no more music. What I’ve built will burn down. Slow slow. it’s the same when you die, all the things in your life just stop at once. I don’t think I’m invisible. No one looks at me anymore. Never felt so bad, loving, something so much. Pushing , pushing, pushing, me away. Pushing , pushing, pushing, me away. pushing, pushing, pushing, me away Pushing , pushing, pushing, me away. Pushing , pushing, pushing, me away. Pushing , pushing, pushing, me away.”
The best song on the album. and I am fascinated by just how the lyrics, voice, and music combine to create something almost supernaturally powerful. I am tempted to give it 5 stars

“Where sleep is King” is maybe the least of the songs on the cd. It is fun and easy to listen to. “Jack’s song” has more range, and there is a vague acoustic Neil Young quality to the music, except when her voice kicks in and brings you back to the story
Finally “Kiss on Both Eyelids” At First I thought this was ok, but listening to the album just a couple of times made this another of the stand out songs. it is a straight rocking love song, with muted pounding guitars, and muted horns. A fitting ending to a great album, that I shall with full confidence call a “Tour De Force”.
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Geri X. – Creative Loafing article – 3/5/2008
CD Release show for “Anthems of a Mended Heart” at the Globe
“Near midnight, the crowd sat at Geri’s feet, crammed on couches, and stood pinned against the walls while she lulled them with Anthems of a Mended Heart. She may or may not have given me a shout-out by dedicating a song to the people she hates. No matter what barrage of descriptions music critics invent to characterize her album, there’s no denying her gift for tapping into the wellspring of human emotion and performing songs that listeners can’t help but suspect are written about them or about their fated coffee-shop romances.”

“Geri X, whose neat, evocative style possesses its own interesting sort of swing; “ -weekly planet.

Geri X returns - Creative Loafing, 1/30/2008
Brand X
“Splitting time this past year between the Sunshine State and Wisconsin, Geri X returns to her St. Pete digs to thaw out and perform numerous, highly anticipated local dates, including this show in downtown Tampa. The prolific singer/songwriter brings along her newly recorded full-length, Anthems of a Mended Heart. Like Geri X’s previous releases, this outing finds the Bulgarian-born vocalist/guitarist deftly juxtaposing confessional details with intriguing allusions.”

Geri X. - SPTimes article – 1/28/2008
New CD: Anthems of a Mended Heart

“Who is she? Bulgarian-born singer-songwriter Geri X. has a sweet but tough vocal style, somewhere between Kim Deal and Fiona Apple. Unlike most singers wielding acoustic guitars, Ms. X. doesn’t fall on folksy cliches. She instead performs with a stirring and often haunting delivery, backed by spare and eclectic arrangements. We chatted with her by e-mail.”
Click here for the full story

Geri X -Tampa Bay Times - March 23rd, 2007
There’s both a soft and strong appeal to Bulgarian-born Geri X’s singing, similar to Fiona Apple’s. When she moved to Tampa as a teen, she barely spoke a word of English, and in fact even wrote some songs in Bulgarian. She made St. Petersburg her home in 2005, and her sultry alt-folk ballads, such as those found on her CD Can’t Make You Happy, quickly struck a nerve. Pray that her April 6 show at the Globe Coffeehouse in St. Petersburg, billed as her “last Florida show,” really isn’t.” www.myspace.com/gerix

X marks the spot - Creative Loafing – March 27, 2007
St. Pete’s Geri X is a woman of mystery
“I don’t understand the big deal about my age,” she snaps. We’re sitting in Geri X’s favorite haunt, the Globe Coffee Lounge in downtown St. Pete, and our interview has started off a bit tense.

A petite woman who could pass for a teenager, Geri X is perhaps the most heavily buzzed performer of original music in Tampa Bay. She also might be the pluckiest. “People come up to me and say: ‘There’s all these rumors about how old you are,’” she says. “I just tell them that I’m 15 — this week.”

Staff Picks
Best Singer-Songwriter: Geri X – Creative Loafing
“Whether alone or with inventive, intuitive drummer Anthony Zollo, 22-year-old Bulgarian-born Geri X never fails to move attentive listeners. Her deceptively straightforward lyrics draw you in, and her hypnotically precise fingerpicking style turns the heads of the other acoustic players in the crowd, but it’s her voice that seals the deal. By turns fragile and bold, and always tinged with an alluring hint of accent, Geri X’s vocals perfectly fit her music’s combination of the timeless and the contemporary — it’s uniquely hip and eclectic American post-folk, but sounds like it learned about love and heartbreak somewhere unfathomably older than here.” www.purevolume.com/gerix.

Gaze into the crystal ball: 2007 Predictions creative Loafing:
“Local: Singer-songwriter Geri X returns from her first world tour completely covered from head to toe in tattoos. She’s still sweet, though.”

Geri X – Creative Loafing 2007
“Yeah, we know, Geri X has received ample ink in Creative Loafing — especially lately. And, yes, she’s currently living in Wisconsin playing cities like Milwaukee, Madison and Beloit. But St. Petersburg is still her home — at least part-time — and she did spend the past year or so here as the leading lady of the local coffeehouse circuit.
Geri X earned her dedicated fanbase with detailed tales delivered in an impassioned whisper across sparse acoustic guitar plucking — and occasional backing from her bassist/boyfriend Greg Roteik. The prolific 22-year-old has written hundreds of songs and released several CDs, including her latest, Can’t Make You Happy, which came out on the local indie imprint Mekka Records.
“I write every day,” Geri X says. “I could probably release a CD every week. I write a bulk amount of material and then at a certain point I just pick and choose certain ones that are more fun for me to play — the ones I get more into. I record those and put them on CD.”
The Bulgarian-born artist with the intricate tattoo running down her left shoulder writes frankly about past experiences. She covers the rather touchy subject matter with a poet’s eye for specifics. The intimacy of the material endears Geri X to listeners, especially the many women who follow her from show to show. For the artist, it’s a cathartic endeavor. “It’s a form of therapy,” Geri X says. “[But] it can be very frustrating sometimes.”
Enthusiasts nationwide pepper Geri X’s MySpace page with glowing comments. The singer attributes her widespread popularity to the persistence of her fans. “I love how they share my CD with people,” she says. “They’ll come to a show and buy five copies and say how they’re mailing it to places like L.A. I’m so thankful that people want to share my music with their friends.”
So, what does the future hold for Geri X?
“I’ve gotten offers from major record labels but what they had to offer didn’t make sense to me — so, they kind of turned me off,” she says. “Right now, all I really want to do is tour. I want to be on the road. I want to play shows. That’s the only way I can reach people.”

Open creativity- North of Tampa- St Pete Times- March 25th, 2005
” Open mike night has begun at Javatropolis, and if the song’s chorus is any indication, the delicately pretty teenager onstage just might be singing a heartfelt ballad about… Mao Tse-tung.
Okay, so it turns out this particular chorus, at least on this particular Tuesday night, is no indication. The chorus’ repeated phrase actually is “Bil Si Tam”, also the song’s title. Its definitely not Mao Tse-tung, confirms Geri X, the song’s composer and performer.
To be safe, Geri writes it down: Bil si Tam(You’ve been there). She dots the I’s with X’s, and she highlights a single, bit wide, stretch of her long brown hair with a green coloring. Geri is not so easily categorized. And really she would not be hanging out on Tuesday night with this crowd if she was. “