The Bryan-College Station Eagle

July 21, 2005

Gibson tries new sounds
By GREG OKUHARA
Eagle Staff Writer

It's been more than four years since Susan Gibson took the stage with popular folk-rock band The Groobies.

The five years she spent writing and touring with the Amarillo-based band were instrumental in her development as a musician, she said.

Now, nearly a half-decade into her own career, Gibson said she's still working on the transition from band member to solo artist. It's a period where she feels she's growing as a musician and businesswoman as Susan Gibson and Moving Parts embarks on this musical chapter.

The Groobies "was such a special entity," Gibson said during a phone interview Monday. "Now that I have my solo career, I'm doing more of the behind-the-scenes stuff."

Gibson's latest musical offering, OuterSpace, hit store shelves Tuesday. She's on tour to support the new album and will play Friday at 3rd Floor Cantina in Bryan.

It took about a year to record the 15 songs on OuterSpace - about 25 times longer than her previous solo album, Chin Up, she said.

The difference on OuterSpace was working with Houston producer Jack Saunders, she said. Gibson now had access to a professional studio and an outside voice making suggestions on how to improve her raw material.

"It was definitely worth it to me to work with Jack because he makes it all work," Gibson said.

The resulting product is a collection of songs that has allowed her to branch out and try new sounds.

"It feels a lot different to me," Gibson said of the new songs. "It's been a growth, not in the sense that it's like some sort of polyp, but a process. I had time to think in terms of an album, providing some continuity there. If I liked the guitar on one song, I'd say, 'I like that. Let's put that on this song, too.'"

The ample recording time at the Houston studio also allowed Gibson to take more control over the album's development.

Even though Saunders was around to add his input, Gibson worked at the music to make it that much more personal. The process involved taking the time to improve her instrument skills so she could contribute as much as possible to the songs.

"I'm a sentimental person," she said. "I would rather play the banjo in a way that's like, 'Eh,' than have someone else come in. That's not a knock on anyone; it's just the way I am."

Most of the material is not new. Gibson said 75 percent of the songs have been tucked away in her head for a couple of years, and she finally got around to recording them.

Even though the songs are old, Gibson said they remained fresh because she didn't play them live all that much. When she began recording them, she was able to fine-tune them with Saunders' help.

"That's like having an old friend on there," she said of the songs.

The musicians who appear on the album (Drew Campbell, drums; Saunders, bass; Michael O'Connor, lead guitar; and Chip Dolan, keyboards and accordion) also weren't too familiar with the material. That allowed the music to remain fresh, she said, because her band played the songs with the enthusiasm of a kid with a new toy.

Gibson said she's not sure how fans will react to the material. Although the songs on OuterSpace aren't vastly different than her previous work, there always will be people who aren't happy with change, she said.

"I'd almost be afraid to take that poll," Gibson said, referring to asking fans if they like the songs. "Any kind of change is hard for people. It's going to be like a watershed moment. I'm sure I'll lose some fans but gain some others."

Regardless of people's reaction to her music, Gibson said she's proud of the fact that she's still being 100 percent genuine. She's comfortable with her fans making up their own minds about her songs.

"I don't want to try to trick people into liking me," she said.