WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE
Songwriters & Sweethearts Giselle Felice and Erik Abernathy have combined their music talents for a relationship that shines on and off the stage. // B Y M E L I S S A P E T E R S O N
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first heard Giselle Felice and Erik Abernathy perform at the Marion Theatre’s preopening event in August. I was impressed with their onstage chemistry and how fluidly the two could switch from Erik playing traditional Brazilian guitar music to Giselle singing Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide.” Come to find out, this performance was the first inperson show the duo had performed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were just as excited about once again performing live as I was about seeing a live performance. “It sounds silly, but it was so strange I LOVE THAT I CAN SHARE to hear clapping or ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ SOMETHING I LOVE SO MUCH during our set,” Giselle explains. “Making people feel emotion and having that WITH MY PERSON. WE AGREE feeling returned to you while performing THAT MUSIC IS SUCH A LARGE on stage is what I live for.” I knew he was an incredible guitarist, but I had no idea Erik’s love of music began at 7 (honestly!) that he was interested in me. We started PART OF WHO WE ARE AS years old when his mother gave him dating in February 2019, but we didn’t brand ourselves PEOPLE AND BEING ABLE TO an acoustic guitar for Christmas. With as a music duo until later that fall.” roots in rock and blues, Erik branched As a duo their style melds their roots in jazz and SHARE BOTH OUR STORY AND out to jazz in high school, and he joined pop with Brazilian spirit and folk influences. With OTHER STORIES THROUGH the jazz program at the University details interjected into their shows about their of Florida. personal relationship and how it has influenced OUR MUSIC TOGETHER IS... “Jazz has had a large influence on my their songwriting, listening to the duo perform is an JUST THE BEST. current style,” he says. “When I started invitation into their lives. college at UF, I also became interested -GISELLE FELICE “I love that I can share something I love so much with in classical guitar. Shortly afterward, I my person,” Giselle says. “We agree that music is such a fell in love with Brazilian music. This is now my favorite style of music to large part of who we are as people and being able to share both our story both perform and enjoy.” and other stories through our music together is... just the best.” Giselle began her music career early as well, with singing and piano “I love the juxtaposition between our two lifestyles as a couple and lessons beginning at age 3. She also performed on the TV show Barney and as musicians,” Erik adds. “We can enjoy our morning coffee together in Friends and with the Orlando Opera Company. our PJs and that night be performing our music on stage all dressed up. “The best way I can describe my original music is folk with a bit of an I love having both.” unplugged pop feel—it should make you feel cozy and introspective,” she With upcoming shows at Ocala’s La Cuisine French Restaurant and the says. “I joined the UF jazz program in 2017 and fell in love with performing new NOMA Gallery, the future is looking bright for the couple. They are as a jazz vocalist.” also excited to release some singles over the next few months. Giselle and Erik met in fall 2017 as members of the UF jazz band, and they “It will be the first time that we release music as a duo,” says Giselle. also played in a handful of small combos together. It wasn’t until summer “While we both have our individual passions and projects, we really want 2018 that they had their first gig as a duo. to keep our duo’s momentum going.” “I wanted Giselle to perform with me because not only is she an amazing singer, but I also wanted an excuse to get to know her better,” Giselle & Erik // Subscribe to Giselle and Erik’s newsletter at says Erik. gisellefelice.com/giselleanderik to stay up to date on upcoming shows. “Same, sort of,” says Giselle. “I wanted to perform with Erik because You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @giselleanderik
Photo by Harper Shadron Photography
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NOV ‘20
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