Arden, North Carolina (June 4, 2021) — Those acquainted with The Gina Furtado Project already know something of its namesake’s fresh, deeply individualized approach to songwriting, but with the release of each one of her singles, Furtado proves anew her ability to use old forms in new ways — and the group’s latest release, “Made Up My Mind” is no exception.
Built around a durable chord progression that feels instantly familiar to the listener, the verses of “Made Up My Mind” display the banjo-playing Furtado’s talent at contrasting melodic and rhythmic patterns before sliding into an undeniable sing-along of a chorus that affirms her strength and determination to grow:
It’s been a long time coming but now I know
There’s always room to grow
There will be people fighting, other people crying
And people who are kind
I’ve made up my mind
Still, a careful listen reveals that “Made Up My Mind”’s positive outlook is hard-won, with its roots in “The day my heart was broke and buried in my pain.” As Furtadoexplains: “‘Made Up My Mind’ is about accepting, and even welcoming, life’s challenges as opportunities for growth. The idea came from my experience of having lost my newborn daughter ten years ago to a heart defect. Her name was Phoebe, and I have an Eastern Phoebe bird tattooed on my chest now. In the pain of that loss, I was forced to discover a strength in myself I wasn’t aware that I had had before.
“I learned that we can’t stop life from throwing those curve balls, we can ONLY control our reactions. We are all tempted to let anger take over when something like that happens, or self pity, but the only escape from the hurt is to look outward and choose kindness. Or, that was my experience, anyway.”
With sympathetic, gently swinging backing from the rest of the Project — sistersMalia and Lu Furtado on fiddle and bass respectively, along with veteran member Drew Matulich on guitar and a guest appearance by mandolinist Wayne Benson (Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out) — Furtado lets the melancholy aspects of her experience find expression in an instrumental interlude that introduces new minor chords before returning with renewed optimism for the final verse and chorus.
“I feel that I owe it to my life’s toughest lessons for the perspective they have given me,” she concludes. “As outlined in the song, they have led me to being happier and connecting with people who share similar life philosophies — and that is a limitless blessing.”
Listen to “Made Up My Mind” HERE.
About The Gina Furtado Project
Formed by innovative artist Gina Furtado, The Gina Furtado Project brings unique musicianship and songwriting that breaks free from the assumed constructs of traditional music modalities and makes a new musical statement influenced by emotion, played with the highest skill, and expressing an enormous verve and vitality.
Furtado, known for her work as the banjo player for Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, has a long history with her banjo. Born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia, Gina began touring up and down the east coast in her tween years with her siblings, earning countless ribbons from fiddlers conventions, a strong reputation in the regional bluegrass scene, and a stamp from Bluegrass Today as “absurdly talented.” She later played in a number of regional acts before making her international touring debut with Chris Jones and the Night Drivers soon after joining the group in 2016.
While touring, she is joined by Drew Matulich on guitar and her sisters Malia Furtado, on violin and Lu Furtado on bass, and each brings experience and energy to the band.
Now based in Asheville, NC, Matulich grew up in Georgia and began playing guitar at 8. While studying music in college he performed with several bands of various styles in and around Georgia and Florida before immersing himself in the Bluegrass scene of Western North Carolina. He has toured and recorded with Billy Strings, made a guest appearance on Roland White’s album and shared the stage with the likes of David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush, Cody Kilby, and Sierra Hull.
Malia’s musical journey began at the age of 3 with classical violin lessons and took a turn, when she attended her first festival, Galax Old Fiddlers Convention, a few years later. Since then, she has performed with a number of different groups, taken home a range of prizes, graced the stage of numerous venues up and down the East Coast and given private lessons in both bluegrass and classical playing. Malia is the Director of Education at the Front Porch Music School in Charlottesville, VA, and currently teaches adult continued education courses in bluegrass fiddle at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA.
Lu Furtado has been attending bluegrass and old time music festivals since she was born. She began playing multiple instruments at the age of ten, and has been a winner at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention playing the Clawhammer banjo, as well as flat foot dancing. She has toured and recorded with multiple bands of varying styles, including Banana Express and the Hi Flyers. She taught banjo for several years at the Galax Elementary School and private music lessons for many years. She brings double trouble to the Gina Furatdo Project with her silky, low harmony vocals as well as her stylish, groovy bass playing.