Browsing Tag

Classical Guitar

J reshaped the landscape of protest music with his jazzy guitar score, Shame on You

Posted on 28 January 2024

Busting the myth that protest songs need to antagonise in the same vein as Rage Against the Machine or Black Flag, the Brighton-based artist, J, exhibited how mellow sonic political activism can be with his latest release, Shame on You.

Paired with an aptly endearing official music video, the ‘oppressed version’ of the single, sans the snippets of dystopian diatribes from Trump and Bush, allows you to embrace the absurdity of our tumultuous political waters while rising above them as the lighter-than-air guitar lines seemingly defy gravity.

J’s guitar work is nothing short of phenomenal – his strings sing with a life of their own in the genre-fluid fusion of jazz, pop, and classical guitar, but notably, the secret ingredient is his unflinching sense of humour and his lack of artistic ego. It’s a rarity for an artist to be so talented and not locked into the singular vision of rock stardom; J always endeavours to create sonic experiences that resonate with his soul; in doing so, he opens up cathartic worlds with his virtuosic tongue-in-jazz-groove flare.

Shame on You will be available to stream from January 26th; stream the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stelios Kyriakidis created a passport to ‘Copenhagen’ in his seminal ambient classical guitar composition.

Posted on 17 January 2024

Stelios Kyriakidis staked his claim as one of the most evocative neo-classical guitar composers of his generation upon the unveiling of his debut album, 508 Days. The opening single, Copenhagen, pays a fitting ode to the titular destination; each note, a breath taken at the profoundly inspiring scenery, a moment stolen within the rich culture, a step taken through the enriching streets.

The serenity within the instrumental soundscape constructed by the London-based Greek guitarist and composer echoes his influence of neoclassical, folk and film music elements. If the soundtrack to the film Her made an ever-lasting impression on you, expect the very same affecting experience from Stelios’ intimately composed score which undoubtedly resounds as well in a live performance as it does on record. The connection he feels to the guitar in hand is comforting throughout, echoing his own familiar and fond acquaintance with the instrument he uses to make highly visual mirages from melodies.

Prior to the release of 508 days, Stelios Kyriakidis performed in prestigious venues globally and has been featured by BBC Radio London, The Music Dances When You Sleep, and the Minor7th. Since releasing Copenhagen, the single entered the iTunes Classical Charts at no.34. We can’t wait to see where he takes his sound next.

Visit Copenhagen via Spotify and explore the rest of Stelios Kyriakidis’ debut LP,

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Explore the world on Iago Banet’s fretboard in his seminal composition, Iago’s Guitar

Posted on 4 December 2023

Iago Banet orchestrated the antithesis of While My Guitar Gently Weeps with the vivacious vibrance in ‘Iago’s Guitar’, taken from his critically acclaimed album, TRES. The musical piece is a journey through Banet’s extraordinary skill, creativity, and mind-bending rhythmic command which remains captivatingly authentic as a constant. Each strum and pluck of the acoustic guitar strings resonates with intention and artistry.

There’s a cheeky, spirited nature to Banet’s acoustic composition skills that subvert all expectations. Rather than solely melody-making, he’s weaving stories which allow you to travel around the world on his fretboard which explores a smorgasbord of cultural styles. Iago’s Guitar is just one of the testaments to Banet’s ability to blend gypsy jazz, blues, Americana, country, Dixieland, swing, pop, and folk into a harmonious and exhilarating experience.

Described by BBC Radio 3’s Sean Rafferty as “a master of the guitar” and as ‘nothing short of phenomenal’ by R’n’R Magazine, Banet’s talent is undeniable. His third album, TRES, has been a sensation, with multiple sell-out shows and sensational receptions across the UK. Iago Banet’s journey, from discovering a classical guitar as a teenager to becoming ‘The Galician King of Acoustic Guitar’, is not just a story of musical proficiency but also of passion and dedication. We can’t wait to see what accolades await him in his destined to be illustrious career.

Stream TRES in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surrender to Javier Jara’s Latin American Folk Serenade, Ranchera Falaz

Posted on 13 May 2022

Ecuador native, Javier Jara, put his music degree in classical guitar performance to jaw-dropping use in his standout Latin American folk single, Ranchera Falaz.

The rich and sonorous serenade carries enough euphonic beguile to almost resonate as haunting, but it’s never all too long before the next progressive shift dips you into a new emotional connection with the acoustic single. The intuitively picked guitar notes and emotionally eloquent Latin folk vocals resound powerfully enough to rival a 100-piece orchestra.

Currently, Javier is a member of the Latin Artist Access Program at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in Austin, TX. Javier was recently selected as a finalist in Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition.

Ranchera Falalz is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Nathaniel Graham takes us to ‘Sky Valley’ with his classically-inspired folk single

Posted on 28 September 2021

The breaking folk singer-songwriter, Nathaniel Graham, made light work of establishing himself as one to watch when he made his lockdown debut in May 2021. You only need to listen to his latest ambient work, Sky Valley, to see why so many found comfort and escapist refuge in his timeless, classically inspired composition style.

The simple yet masterful guitar-driven melodies canter along at a tranquil pace as the bright, sun-kissed tones epitomise the serenity of summer days away from the chaos of modernity. Around the classical Spanish guitar influences, you’ll find intermittently bluesy folk twangs that add an incredible dynamic to the Newcastle-born, London-based artist’s soundscape.

With a debut album in the pipeline, it is safe to assume that Nathaniel Graham’s career will be just as bright as his optimistically light singles.

Sky Valley is now available to stream on Spotify.