Larkin Gayl is a local gal who spent much of her adolescence in the Castro with her gay father. She has quite an interesting and atypical past. She wrote the lyrics and music to “I Do” two years ago to celebrate marriage for all. On the occasion of her new CD release, Two Hands, from About Records/Universal - on June 17, it was even more timely than ever. She was at City Hall on June 16, Monday afternoon, wishing everyone well as she offered free CDs and downloads of “I Do” as wedding gifts. Attached to each was a flowery greeting card stating, “Congratulations. May your marriage be surrounded by acceptance and love.” To get a free download (whether you’re married or not), go to larkingayl.com.

“I Do,” a lighthearted, yet poignant commentary on today’s same-sex marriage issue, pulls the topic upfront in an unforgettable way - but with love, laughter, and hope; it’s a classic in the making. Some of the lyrics say: “They came in two by two to the little wedding room; the justice took a stand and raised a weary hand; said to your own hearts be true.” The words continue: “Do you take this lover for the rest of your days? Will you love and cherish each other, in all your crazy ways?” Then, speaking to the parents of the couples, she asks, “Do you take your sons and daughters; will you love and cherish each other on this day for ever more? With whomever they adore?” Then it seals the deal “till time stands still.”

Larkin’s debut recording, Two Hands, features ten smart and compelling originals (all written by her) that are sweet, passionate, and driven by her uncommon sensuality. Her cool yet sizzling “Impossible” was featured on the iTunes major Indie Spotlight and cited as a staff music favorite in their Folk Music section. It has earned over 10,000 plays - and counting - on her My Space site.

From her childhood in a hippie community in the breathtaking hills of Northern California to her teen years sometimes spent with her divorced father in San Francisco’s erotically charged Castro district performing in AIDS and hospice centers, she has always walked a line between many worlds and many loves. Although it was with her father that she first began to sing and record, it wasn’t until she headed off to university that she discovered her true voice - one that would soothe and comfort the terminally ill as their lives slipped away in hospice. Gayl has lulled many a weary soul to sleep with her gorgeous voice and songs, and in so doing discovered her gift, as she says, “for shining light on the shadows that often darken human existence.” Her extensive spiritual travels have brought her face to face with the true essentials of life - and in the process bestowed upon her a unique vision of tolerance and love, as well as a passionate and unbridled lust for living. In these confused times, brightness of vision and clarity of purpose are rare and precious commodities. Fortunately for those who listen, Gayl has these gifts in abundance.

“A Life of Everything” (Little Bird In A Naked Little Tree) has a bouncy ‘I Love Life’ flair - with hope, ease, and a jazzy sense. It is a featured cut on San Francisco’s KFOG 104.5 FM. Her session players include Bonnie Raitt’s George Marinelli; Norah Jones’ drummer Andrew Borger; plus Joe Craven (Jerry Garcia, Stephane Grappelli), Jim Rothermel (Van Morrison, Dr. John), as well as Dominic Miller, famed British lead guitarist for Sting’s band