Blonde bangs, red lipstick and lots of sequins. Voice teacher Gillian Eichenberger was used to comparisons to pop star Taylor Swift, but it wasn’t until bandmate Jon Chi had a “crazy idea” that the tribute band was born. Now their group Swifty has sold out shows at Sweetwater Music Hall and HopMonk Novato, playing to fans ready to belt out lyrics. We asked the Marin native about her experience in the spotlight.
Can you tell me about your background as a Bay Area musician and teacher?
I grew up in Marin in the Sun Valley neighborhood, and am grateful to have had all of my formative music and performance experience there. I took piano lessons with Sandra Simich, ballet through Marin Ballet, private voice lessons with Kayla Gold and did musical theater productions at the San Rafael Community Center. Once I was in high school, I was lucky to learn about jazz through Sean Castle. He gave me so much freedom and encouragement in my vocals and musicianship, and I will be forever grateful to him. His loss was deeply felt.
In college at San Francisco State, I studied musical theater and acting, and up until recently I was in the original rock band The Hot Takes, which grew my confidence and taught me about collaboration. I have been teaching voice privately for over 10 years, and I also have been a youth and adult theater director and musical director. I even taught a “Cruel Summer” camp where I showed up in costume and worked on Taylor Swift songs with elementary and middle school-aged kids. I just joined the team at School of Rock in San Rafael and have been really inspired by the other teacher-musicians there, and by the energy and passion of the students.
How did Swifty get started?
I had been teaching Jon’s daughter Gemma (who sings “Fifteen” in our set) voice lessons at their house, and once after hearing me play and sing, Jon approached me with a “crazy” idea that turned out to be anything but. Jon writes and performs his own music, along with playing with bands all over Marin, so he brought in two incredible musicians: our drummer, Sean Nelson, and our bass player Angeline Saris. And I brought in my good friend Trixie Rasputin on keys, and Elena Northen on backing vocals, who is a friend I met when I costumed a show she starred in. I had spent years being called “Miss Swift” by my students after cutting my bangs, and every time I wear lipstick in public I have at least one person approach me and say “Have you ever heard you look like Taylor Swift?” So all the pieces just came together.
What are the best parts about emulating an artist like Taylor Swift?
Being inspired by her stage presence and singing this amazing music. The first thing I taught my students in my “Cruel Summer“ camp was to take up space. As young people, and as young women especially, we are still taught to be seen and not heard. That was something I had to unlearn myself, and emulating Taylor allowed me to be so much more confident onstage and off. Strutting with confidence, and digging into the emotion of the music — loud, angry, broken and joyful — has changed the way I take up space in my own life, and I love seeing the kids at my shows getting to do the same in the way that they interact with the music, the show and me. Speaking of the fans, seeing the light that emanates from them as they dance and sing with reckless abandon, and then hearing from them how much the music means to them, is the absolute best. Also, the OUTFITS!
How’s it feel to be selling out shows?
It’s insane. I remember showing up at our first show in Ross Commons, and all of us going “I wonder if anyone will show up?” The energy when you know a show is “sold out,” both for the band, and for the audience, is palpable. Everyone shows up on cloud nine, just to get to be there. I have to say that for me, I could be singing to one person who loves this music, and still have the best time in the world.
Which song gets the biggest reaction? Which is your favorite to perform?
The biggest reaction has to be a tie between “Love Story” and “Bad Blood.” I love that they’re polar sides of the spectrum. When the chorus of “Love Story” hits, the kids can get louder than the band! “Bad Blood” is extra fun because I encourage them to get mad and yell “Hey” at me, and they get ferocious!
My favorite to perform is “All Too Well.” Our set is really high-energy, and it’s one of the slower ones where I get to dig into something raw and serious. My favorite performance of hers is when she played the grand piano and sang it at the Grammys, and I love getting to play the piano and sing with the band. I’ve spent many a hard day belting it out in my car, so it’s very cathartic. The fact that my boyfriend is now joining me onstage for the backing harmonies makes it even more special.
What’s on the horizon for you and Swifty?
We’re already booking for the fall, and we’re looking to expand our reach outside of Marin. I am really proud of these musicians; it’s not just a really good tribute act, it’s a really great band. I say that we’re like seeing your favorite local band, but it’s Taylor Swift’s songs. We’re always changing our set, and adding new material to keep it fresh, and I’m looking forward to incorporating more outfits into the show. You can never have too many sparkles.
Swifty can be heard at HopMonk Novato on June 15 as part of KC Turner’s Concert Cookout Series. Follow them @swiftybandca for more concert news.
