NOISEMAKERS SALTWATER GYPSEAS

from GIM January/February 2023

BY DESIGN

SALTWATER GYPSEAS

WORDS AND PHOTO BY LINDSEY ADKISON

FFor Misty McGee, the search for a guitarist turned out to be a bit more than she bargained for. “I met (husband) Shawn on Facebook when I was looking for a guitarist. The husband part was a bonus,” the singer says with a laugh. That was more than eight years ago. But the serendipitous meeting is pretty characteristic of how SaltWater Gypseas formed. The group started to take shape in the early days of the coronavirus quarantine. “We started playing with Will, just piddling around … making quarantine parody songs,” Misty recalls. “Then when Side Pokkets was closed, they let us practice there.” Eventually, the piddling morphed into a full-fledged five-piece, country-rock band. It’s comprised of seasoned musicians who’ve been active in the local music scene for decades. That includes guitarist Will Aspinwall; Darin Harlow, bassist; and Scott Thibodeau, drummer. These three were also the musicians behind the popular group, Dennis & the Menace. “Scott was in the Navy and we thought we were going to lose him to Iraq. We had two going away parties … then we blamed him and said he just wanted free meals out of it,” Aspinwall teases. While each member’s musical chops are hard-earned, it’s clear that the humor and friendship is truly the heart of the Gypseas. It’s something that allows the group to enjoy themselves at every gig while giving audiences their all. “I like to say, ‘we’re just five dudes having fun,’” Misty says with a giggle. “We take the gigs seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously,” Harlow adds. That’s an important quality, especially for a band that boasts lifelong, professional musicians, many of whom started playing when they were children. “I’m from Tennessee,” Shawn McGee says. “My family had a Southern gospel group, so that’s how I grew up with that music. That and country.” Thibodeau has a similar background. “We had a family band growing up,” he says. “That was our profession.” “… which is why he joined the Navy,” Aspinwall quips without missing a beat. This particular evening the band was readying for a performance at the aptly named venue Fish Tales. Tucked off Hwy. 303, it’s just the kind of camp one would expect “gypseas” to frequent. “Toi (Aspinwall) was the one who suggested spelling it ‘gypseas,’ We love it,” Misty says of the punny moniker. “And

I’ve always loved the idea of getting a house boat and just rolling with the waves. We even named our dog, Gypsy.”

While the nautical theme is key for their band’s persona, their tunes definitely appeal to land lovers. Their setlists often include covers of rock legends like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty.

“Misty does an awesome Stevie Nicks,” Harlow says.

They also incorporate a lot of country music into the mix. Go-to covers include songs from Miranda Lambert or Dennis Walker.

But they ultimately let the crowds determine what they play.

“We learn a bunch of songs and after playing them a few times, if it clicks, we will keep it … but if it doesn’t, we’ll move on,” Aspinwall explains.

That’s the beauty of having experienced bandmates who are able to pick up tunes quickly. It’s also a plus that all members are open to change and aren’t too attached to a particular genre.

“It really makes a difference when the people in the band are doing it because they want to and not because they have to,” Aspinwall says.

The members all nod in agreement.

“These are all people who have been in a lot of bands for a long time. We do it because we just love being in a band,” Thibodeau says.

The group shares that passion with crowds at restaurants and local watering holes throughout the Golden Isles. They’ve made appearances at the Shrimp and Grits Festival on Jekyll Island and the Catfish Festival in Kingsland.

They have been tapped as the first night’s headline entertainment for the 2023 Blessing of the Fleet in Darien, which will be held in April.

They’re also very popular for weddings and private events.

“(Misty and Shawn) have a DJ company too, so it’s really the best of both worlds. After the band finishes at a wedding, we can keep the party going,” Misty says.

But whenever they play together, the “job” never feels like work.

“It’s just so much fun,” Misty says, her husband nodding in agreement. “It’s just amazing for us to be in a band with three of the most talented musicians around.”

“Yeah, then they left and you got stuck with us,” Aspinwall zings as Thibodeau and Harlow cackle with laughter.