ETOWN: GOMEZ & ARIANA GILLIS

Event Information

Hosts Nick and Helen Forster continue eTown’s 2012 season of live radio show tapings with a special pairing of artists from beyond our borders. On March 4, eTown welcomes back the eclectic, British experimental group Gomez, along with emerging Canadian singer/songwriter Ariana Gillis, for an evening of music, conversation and community. With 2012 a banner year for eTown with the upcoming opening of eTown Hall, both Gomez and Gillis follow in a long tradition of visiting artists that reflect the independent, do-it-yourself spirit the radio variety program and nonprofit organization was founded upon 21 years ago.

Much has transpired in the five years since Gomez’s last appearance in eTown, and for their upcoming visit, the band will bring a plethora of new music and stories across the pond with them. Since the group’s inception in 1997, Gomez has continued to push the boundaries of musical possibility, so it’s no surprise to find that that the group’s latest release, Whatever’s On Your Mind, was conceived non-traditionally, with the group’s individual members writing and recording in a digital cloud from all sides of the globe.

Joining Gomez this evening will be eTown newcomer Ariana Gillis. At the young of age of 21, Ariana has already made a huge musical impression in her Canadian homeland, as well as here in the United States. After releasing her independently-released debut album in 2009, Gillis has gone on to win the Niagara Music Award for Songwriter of the Year, the Canadian Folk Music Award for Young Performer of the Year and even received a nod from Flipper trainer and dolphin activist Ric O’Barry for her song “The Cove” that was inspired by the Oscar-winning documentary of the same name.

More than just a typical concert, each eTown taping is a unique live entertainment event that combines musical performance, information and inspiring conversation. In addition to lots of great music, the event will also feature a special E-Chievement Award story, a trademark staple of each and every eTown taping, highlighting one of the show’s listeners who has gone above and beyond to make a positive difference in their community.