an album full of heart, humor, and unapologetic honesty, showcasing not only her vocal talents but her ability to turn life’s frustrations into art.
Cellar Music
Vanisha Gould – Vocals; John Sims – Bass; Chris McCarthy – Piano; Jongkuk Kim – Drums
On the cover of SHE’S NOT SHINY, SHE’S NOT SMOOTH, Vanisha Gould greets us with an inviting smile that instantly draws you in. Dressed in a vivid orange hat, she looks like someone who could be a fantastic friend, as long as you’re as cool as she is. Her cheerful demeanor sets a delightful tone for the music inside.
Vanisha Gould has a very conversational style of singing. I come back to the word ‘friend’ because her voice has that warm, familiar quality, like your favorite neighbor singing over the fence to you.
Vanisha wrote every track on her album, and with SHE’S NOT SHINY, SHE’S NOT SMOOTH, she’s basically saying that being a grown-up means accepting you’ll never be perfect, and that’s totally fine.
One of the strongest parts of Vanisha’s album is how her band elevates every track. Drummer Jongkuk Kim, a standout in the New York jazz scene, is a favorite of Vanisha’s for the way he matches his playing to the emotion of her lyrics. “His sound is so tasteful and fits perfectly with my voice,” Vanisha says. “My songs are full of lyrics, and I want every word heard. He makes sure of that, only stepping up when the lyrics need it.” She’s so loyal to his style that she admits, “I don’t use a drummer if Jongkuk isn’t available.”
Pianist Chris McCarthy is her “right-hand man,” bringing every chord and melody to life with his lush, vibrant touch. “He can make anything sound like a masterpiece,” she says.
Bassist John Sims is her rock, known for his unwavering sense of time and dedication to her vision for each song. What Vanisha appreciates most is how deeply they understand her music. “They know me, and they show up and treat my music how I want it to be treated,” she says. “I know my music inside out; they do too.”
‘Demure ’is Vanisha’s playful take on everything she’s not. She talks about growing up in a society that taught her to be quiet, not ask for too much, and shrink herself so others could shine. But now, she’s claiming her space, saying, “I am not demure, not anymore.” I love how Vanisha adds a touch of vibrato on the end of her phrases. McCarthy’s piano flows effortlessly, wrapping around her vocals, while Sim’s bass locks in perfectly. And after hearing Kim’s drumming, it’s clear why Vanisha sticks with him.
Vanisha’s favorite track on the album, ‘Get Out of My Way, ’is a direct, no-nonsense rebuke to selfish, unkind people, the kind we’ve all had to deal with at some point. Her bandmates play with beautiful precision, underscoring the song’s bold message.
The track ‘Don’t Worry Bout Me’ came out of a frustrating moment when a stranger stole Vanisha’s phone. She admits she was angry at first, but then boredom set in, so she channeled it into writing the song. With a nod to the thief, she thanked him and promised karma would take care of the rest. Vanisha has a gift for injecting humor into her song writing.
Vanisha Gould’s SHE’S NOT SHINY, SHE’S NOT SMOOTH is an album full of heart, humor, and unapologetic honesty, showcasing not only her vocal talents but her ability to turn life’s frustrations into art.
