When Gina Chavez chose UP.ROOTED as the title of her new album, she found the one word that could reflect not only major turning points in her own journey, but the experiences of people who live in her songs. Chavez uses this second studio album to express the dichotomies of her life as an ethnically mixed woman trying to define, and embrace, who she is and where she belongs. Produced by Michael Ramos, known for his work with Patty Griffin, John Mellencamp and the BoDeans, UP.ROOTED is a garden of delights on which Chavez delves into cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and other genres. Her wide-ranging vocals convey delicate beauty and sharp social commentary with equal nuance, giving the album a dynamic balance between dramatic tension and relaxed grace -- qualities that lead National Public Radio to select the album for its First Listen series. As one of Austin’s most beloved world music/indie artists, Chavez is known for her impressive multi-instrumental performances and an inimitable sound inspired by cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and other genres. With accolades such as the 2012-13 Austin Music Award for Best Latin Traditional Artist/Band (along with placing in three other categories), two tours in Japan as the Official City of Austin Music Ambassador, and praise from NPR's All Songs Considered and Alt. Latino as one of eight “New Latin Artists at SXSW,” Chavez has claimed a prominent stake in the Live Music Capital and beyond. After eight months of volunteer work in El Salvador, she co-founded Niña Arriba, a college scholarship fund for girls she lived with in a gang-dominated Soyapango. Southern Living and Olay named Chavez one of 11 “southern iconic women who have left a beautiful footprint across the South.”