Anna Fermin could have been anything in life: a doctor, lawyer or even a schoolteacher. But thanks to an ex-boyfriend, and luckily for her fans, she became a singer-songwriter instead. The boyfriend, whom she met while in art school, inspired her to become a performer while he serenaded her one day.
“I was so moved by that gesture that I decided that I wanted to learn how to do it. And so I did; I borrowed a guitar from my aunt and I taught myself how to play it,” Fermin said. And the rest is, as they say, history.
Fermin and her critically acclaimed band, Trigger Gospel, are scheduled to perform at Northeastern Illinois University on Tuesday, April 15, at 1:00 p.m.
“I’m really excited about it and energized,” Fermin said about sharing the band’s music with the NEIU community. “They’re going to see a group of people who real truly enjoy what they do, and a group of people who enjoy playing music together.”
The band is comprised of members Anna Fermin: lead vocal, rhythm guitar; Scott Ligon: keyboard, electric guitar, vocals; Grant Tye: electric guitar; Paul Bivans: drums, percussion; and Michael Krayniak: bass.
The name ‘Trigger Gospel’ comes from the title of an old western novel. Fermin found the book in a collection of antique books she owns and thought that the title was catchy, so she used it as the name of her band.
The band’s sound is reminiscent of hometown country and rock and roll with “a strong melodic-pop appeal,” a reviewer said.
Fermin describes the band’s genre as Americana. “Americana is a hybrid of many things like folk, country, jazz, gospel,” she said. “It really kind of encapsulates what American music is about, which is really a convergence of many different styles of genres of music.”
However one classifies the band’s sound, the group, formed in 1997, has experienced national and international success. According to reviews, critics and music fans have enjoyed the band’s eclectic mix of songs and stirring live shows.
This Chicago-based band has shared the stage with accomplished musicians including Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Robbie Fulks, Delbert McClinton, Neko Case as well as others.
The band’s fifth and latest CD titled ‘Go,’ released in 2006, is a compilation of nine songs, eight of which are written by Fermin. One of her favorite songs on the CD is titled Yellow Rose of Texas. She said she likes the song because it’s different and the beat is upbeat and fun.
Previous releases include Oh, The Stories We Hold in 2003 from Undertow Records; Live Music Volume One in 2001 from Sighlow Music; Things to Come in 1999 with Sighlow Music; and their 1997 Self-titled EP, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel.
For more information about the group and for tour dates go to www.triggergospel.com.