Ayoni (Barbados) and The Picturebooks (Germany) Announced As New Gibson Spotlight Artist Musicians; Program Provides Global Exposure for a Diverse Roster of Emerging Musicians

Above (L-R): Ayoni from Barbados, and The Picturebooks from Gütersloh, Germany join the Gibson Artist Spotlight program for 2024.

NASHVILLE, TN  (May 1, 2024) Gibson, the iconic, leading American instrument brand has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved brands around the world. As part of Gibson’s commitment to artist-first culture, and music discovery, Gibson has launched the brand’s first-ever Artist Spotlight program which features an evolving and diverse roster of musicians and provides emerging artists from diverse genres around the world with global exposure and services committed to their career growth worldwide. Today, Gibson is thrilled to introduce two new talented additions to the Gibson Artist Spotlight roster, Ayoni and The Picturebooks.

In line with Gibson’s ongoing commitment to elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world throughout the year, the Gibson Artist Spotlight Program will showcase an evolving roster of musicians who will be celebrated across Gibson’s global and international channels. Fans can learn more about Gibson Artist Spotlight musicians and listen to their music every month HERE.

Ayoni:

Ayoni



Ayoni is a multifaceted singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist from Barbados, making waves across the music industry.

With her soaring, soulful pop/R&B vocals, Ayoni has garnered millions of streams and has received widespread acclaim from prominent publications such as Ones To Watch, The Fader, Essence, V Magazine, and more. Having lived in Singapore, Indonesia, and the United States, she developed a global worldview, absorbing a variety of experiences while nurturing her ever-evolving passion for creating and performing music.

Listen/Watch to Ayoni’s single and video for the song “Vision” HERE.

Click on the image above to play Ayoni’s video for the song “Vision."

Ayoni made her big screen debut at the Tribeca Film Festival last summer, starring in the documentary Uncharted, produced by Alicia Keys and She Is The Music. The film follows Ayoni’s journey and those of other BIPOC women creators in the music industry. She would go on to release a song titled “Purpose,” which she wrote during the making of the film.

Ayoni has collaborated with other creatives such as Ricky Reed, Snakehips, Full Crate, Michael Calfan, and Kabwasa. She is a featured artist on two songs on Noname’s critically acclaimed album Sundial, and in October of 2023, she performed the song “boomboom” with Noname on NPR’s Tiny Desk, HERE.

Ayoni was chosen as an artist in residence for the Sofar Sounds London Residency, late last year. This spring, she was selected for the 2024 Gibson Artist Spotlight program and released a music production and vocal pack with Splice.

As she prepares to step into her next creative chapter, Ayoni will release her next single, “Bitter In Love,” and her debut album is slated for the summer of 2024.

Read more about Ayoni on the Gibson Artist Spotlight program HERE.

The Picturebooks:

The Picturebooks

The Picturebooks, a distinctive rock duo from Gütersloh, Germany, consists of the gritty vocals and fierce guitar work of Fynn Claus Grabke and the dynamic drumming of Philipp Mirtschink. Their raw, minimalist style, marked by a blues-infused garage rock sound, sets them apart in the rock music scene.

Formed in 2009, The Picturebooks quickly gained recognition for their visceral performances and unique approach to music production, often utilizing custom-built instruments and unconventional recording techniques. Their discography includes several albums that showcase their evolution in sound, with “Home is a Heartache” and “The Hands of Time” as notable examples.

Listen/watch The Picturebooks single and video “Masquerade” HERE.

Click on the above image to watch The Picturebooks’ video for the song “Masquerade.”

Known for their DIY ethic, The Picturebooks have toured extensively worldwide with over 400 shows in the last five years, captivating audiences worldwide with their powerful live shows and establishing a loyal fan base.

The Picturebooks have four albums under their belts already and will release their fifth album, Albuquerque, in July 2024.

Read more about The Picturebooks and the Gibson Spotlight Program HERE.

Gibson’s Spotlight Artist program features artists from North and South America and Europe, China, and Japan. Throughout the year, Gibson Artist Spotlight program musicians will be introduced across Gibson social media, as well as other channels, and their music will be highlighted through various collaborative moments in locations across the globe.

The Gibson’s Artist Spotlight program follows other artist-first programs and initiatives that the brand has introduced over the past five years, including the Marquee Artist program which currently features singer/songwriter Abraham Alexander.  The Marquee Artist Program invests in furthering the careers of artists on the rise who reflect the brand’s mission to celebrate and amplify music across genders, genres, and generations.  Marquee artists have access to Gibson’s global resources and work with the brand to create collaboratively inspired cultural campaigns, participate in product development, and launches, support Gibson Gives nonprofit initiatives, and join in special events across Gibson’s products and channels, reaching millions of fans worldwide. In addition, the Gibson Generation Group (Gibson G3) program supports youth artists worldwide through its two-year career mentoring program, while the Gibson Gives Scholarship program provides financial support to students with music career aspirations, and Gibson Records, a record label that works with artists to produce, record, and promote guitar-driven music across the globe.

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About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage Nashville, and the Gibson Garage London.