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Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters

Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters

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  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Dance Band
  • Travels up to 200 miles
  • Contact for rates
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Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters, Idyllwild 2018: AWATT!

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Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters: Behind the Scenes - Your Folks Threw Me Out

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Original Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters Quartet: Strangers in the Night

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Original Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters Quartet on Fox 11/Good Day LA

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Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters
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Gigi

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Craig Fundyga

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Chuck Alvarez

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Benj Clarke

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Simon Carroll

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Bobby Easton

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Overview

Gigi and Her Atomic Hipsters is the newest and coolest band to invade the hi-fi soundscape! The band features the exotic Gigi on accordion and steel drums, the lush sounds of Craig Fundyga on vibraphone, the ethereal guitar rhythms by Chuck Alvarez, the solid bass stylings of Benj Clarke, bongos and birdcalls by percussionist Bobby Easton, and the earthbound beats of Simon Carroll. Whether it is on the festival concert stage or your special intimate event, Gigi and Her Atomic Hipsters are sure to be a hit.


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Booking Info

  • Profile
  • Personnel
  • Set List
  • Influences
  • Setup Requirements

Price Range: Contact for rates

Gig Length: 20 - 180 minutes

Languages: English

Unions: AFM, SAG-AFTRA, Some Members Are Non-union.

What to Expect

Gigi & Her Atomic Hipsters is the product of these music and performing arts experiences throughout Gigi’s life. Musically diverse, the band could be described as a “music smoothie” – a mix of exotica, space age pop, bachelor pad or lounge music, easy listening, island, swing, and world fusion. Audience members of all ages are encouraged to dance and participate in this interactive, family-friendly show.

Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters Volume 1 LINE-UP

Accordion/steel drum: Gigi Rabe (North Long Beach, CA)
Notable gigs: Micky Dolenz, Friends, Josh Groban

Vibraphone: Craig Fundyga (Reading, Pennsylvania)
Notable gigs: Glenn Frey, Micky Dolenz, Friends, Wedding Crashers

Guitar: Chuck Alvarez (San Pedro, CA)
Notable gigs: Tim Weisberg, Lisa Haley & the Zydekats, Emotions, David Benoit, The Twisters

Bass: Benj Clarke (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Notable gigs: Hedgehog Swing, Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe, Unkle Monkey

Auxiliary Percussion: Bobby Easton (Long Beach, CA)
Notable gigs: Viver Brasil, Delta Nove, Os Zaguieros

Drums/Percussion: Simon Carroll (Clovis, CA)
Notable gigs: MôForró, Viver Brasil, Os Zaguieros, Samba Society

ORIGINAL QUARTET included Ruben "Gitano" Ramos (acoustic bass/guitar) & Chris Ross (drums/percussion)

REPERTOIRE

Originals by “Gee” Rabe, Craig Fundyga, Bobby Easton, & Simon Carroll (1960s style instrumental dance music – pop/jazz/rock/Latin)

Sample songs with the 1950s-60s style: Strangers in the Night, Besame Mucho, Mah Na Mah Na, Spanish Eyes

Eclectic styles: jazz, rock, pop, Latin, Caribbean

About

Gigi and her Atomic Hipsters was formed in 2012 as the result of Gigi being a special guest performer at the Grand Performances summer concert series. The concert program was called “The San Pedro Squeeze,” which showcased performers and music that represented the ethnic communities of San Pedro, California. Four accordionists from the United States and Canada were chosen to perform; Gigi was one of them and knew it would be the perfect opportunity to bring to fruition a band project that she had in mind for several years. Influenced by jazz accordionists the late Art Van Damme and her teacher, the late Frank Marocco, Gigi had wanted to form a group that would maintain a similar musical ambience to that of these jazz accordionists but also be reminiscent of bands popular to the “space age bachelor pad” scene of the 1950s-1960s. Having worked steel drum gigs with her longtime musical partner, vibraphonist Craig Fundyga, she knew that the exotica sound of vibes would play an important role in the band. The original 4-piece acoustic band also included members Ruben “Gitano” Ramos (acoustic bass and guitar) and Chris Ross (drums and percussion). After another hiatus while all the members were working on other projects, Gigi decided to go a slightly different musical direction with changes that included writing more quirky original songs. Influenced by the 1960s jazz, boogaloo, and go-go music, especially from Europe and abroad, the quartet became a sextet that incorporated electric guitar or keyboard, steel drum, and an additional percussionist. Finally Gigi found the eclectic sound she was looking for with her Atomic Hipsters.

Additional Booking Notes

The set up may vary based on the performance space. Ideally the vibraphone is down stage, house left and the accordion is down stage, house right (or opposite). Bass may be behind the accordion or slightly down stage, on the end next to the accordion. Drums should be as centered as possible behind the band, on a sturdy riser, if possible. Backline checklist is on the following page.

ADDITIONAL INFO: Cold bottled water and towels should be provided. A green room or other private space to prepare before the concert is ideal. Organic drinks, coconut water, and light, healthy snacks should be accessible to the band. Other arrangements regarding food, travel, and accommodations are to be negotiated.

Services Offered

Dance Band Acoustic Band

Set List

Although Gigi & Her Atomic Hipsters can play music from many eras and musical genres, their music primarily represents the music and culture of the “space age bachelor pad” scene of the 1950s-1960s. Musically, the band has shows that are based on themes that are meant to include audience participation. The band prefers promoting the shows to the public as events where dressing up and dancing is encouraged. Shows can be from 20-90 minutes or longer (with breaks) if necessary. The band welcomes suggestions or requests for specific themes. Repertoire may include original songs composed by members of the band.

Some examples of these “themed” concerts include:

The Latin Side of Gigi & Her Atomic Hipsters
Agua de Beber
Autumn Leaves
Beautiful Love
Besame Mucho
Black Orpheus
Blue Bossa
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
Corcovado
Desafinado
Girl From Ipanema
Mr. Lucky
Work Song

Tiki Time with the Atomic Hipsters
August Bells
Happy Talk
Hawaiian War Chant
Martinique
My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii
Pagan Love Song
Quiet Village
Sake Rock
Stranger in Paradise
The Hawaiian Wedding Song
The Queen Chant
Tune from Rangoon

The Atomic Hipsters Go Continental
Amapola
Andalusia
Arrivederci Roma
Granada
Hava Nagila
I Love Paris
La Vie En Rose
Lara’s Theme
Lili Marlene
Never on Sunday
Spanish Eyes
Zorba the Greek

An Atomic Hipsters Christmas
Christmas is Coming
Christmas Time Is Here
Greensleeves
Hark, the Herald Angel Sings
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Here Comes Santa Claus
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Let it Snow
O Tannenbaum
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
The Christmas Song
What Child Is This

Team

Gigi Leader/Composer/Accordion/Steel Drum
Craig Fundyga Vibes
Chuck Alvarez Guitar
Benj Clarke Acoustic bass
Simon Carroll Drums
Bobby Easton Aux. Percussion

Influences & Inspiration

Austin Powers, Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Henry Mancini, Art Van Damme, Frank Marocco, Vince Guaraldi, Monty Alexander, Os Zagueiros, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Piero Umiliani, Cal Tjader, Korla Pandit

Setup Requirements

6 vocal mics on boom stands

6 monitors (1 for each band member)

1 Fishman DI for Accordion

OPTIONAL - Accordion amp: Ampeg reverbrocket, Fender deluxe, Fender Princeton, or similar low wattage tube amp AND Mic for accordion amp

OPTIONAL and less desirable, if no accordion amp or DI available: 2 mics for accordion, one for left hand and one for right hand

VIBRAPHONE (if traveling): Standard Musser or Yamaha with multi speed motor

2 mics for the vibes

1 mic on boom stand for steel drum

1 guitar amp

1 mic for guitar amp

1 keyboard and keyboard amp (if no guitarist)

1 bass amp or DI for bass

2 overhead mics for drum kit

1 bass drum mic

1 mic for misc. percussion

2 mics for congas/bongos

DRUMS: All D.W. – 22/18 bass drum; 8/12-16/16 toms; 5/16 snare – wood; Paiste cymbals – 14 high hat, 20 ride, 16 crash; approximately 3 mics for drum set; bongos; congas. OPTIONAL but desirable, misc. percussion: shakers, claves, wind chimes, etc.

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