Herschel Freeman Agency

Italy's Guitar Sensations

 

It took one song for GUITAR REPUBLIC to revolutionize the concept of the acoustic guitar trio —a viral YouTube video called “Funky Sex Republic,” which combined sensual blues riffs, two-handed melodic tapping, powerful rhythms pounded out on the guitar body, and a bowing technique that produced ethereal high overtones.

It was the first musical revelation of an imaginary Republic where the richness of life is captured by three extraordinarily sympatico acoustic guitar instrumentalists.

Before GUITAR REPUBLIC, Pino Forastiere, Stefano Barone and Sergio Altamura were Italy's most successful solo acoustic guitarists, friends from different parts of the country united by a love of the guitar and a passion to explore new musical territory. Combining their talents (Pino's melodies, Stefano's rhythms and Sergio's experimentation), GUITAR REPUBLIC went from one song to a wildlypraised CD to concerts throughout Italy and a tour of North America. Future plans call for extended touring in the States in the 2011-2012 season.

A new Italian guitar supergroup... an orchestral approach to the guitar ensemble that has global percussion breakouts, cello etudes, avant-garde sound effects and blue slides, all from 3 guitars - Echoes blog

Put three musical Einsteins together and what do you get? Guitar Republic, a group that could literally change the way we look at contemporary acoustic guitar. - Request Productions

Comparisons? Think Kronos Quartet, as a trio, guitars not violins, making it up as they go along. -Minor 7th

Altamura, Barone and Forastiere founded a Republic of Sound that feeds on the differences of its inhabitants, where they meet each other and unite their forces to create a common language, wonderfully variegated and complex. In the centre of this collective rite there's the acoustic guitar, that like a sort of shaman goes in trance assuming multiple forms and identities, putting men in contact with the magical world of harmony. - Jam Magazine

Pino Forastiere

Ex-classical guitarist (a true virtuoso with 6- and 10-string classical guitar), ten years ago Pino decided to abandon the academy and change his musical life, turning to the steel-string guitar. Elegant and generous on the stage, Pino is an incredible performer, enchanting his audiences with compositions that represent the noblest part of the acoustic guitar scene. His discography includes, among others, three solo albums and a live DVD/CD (CandyRat Records, 2009) recorded during an inspired session.

Stefano Barone

His debut album Particolare Uno (CandyRat Records, 2009) has been immediately acclaimed by fans on YouTube and honored by prestigious guitar magazines with rave reviews. His work is fresh, capturing his youthful exuberance, but also extremely mature and original. It is a brave venturing-forth that looks at the future of the new acoustic guitar — the music of the 21st century. Great energy in an unforgettable performance.

Sergio Altamura

In a career which began as a member of a rock band 15 years ago, Sergio has experimented with almost every genre of guitar. His first solo guitar album “Blu” was produced by Will Ackerman in 2004; his new solo project, “Aria Meccanica” (released by CandyRat Records in 2009) is a conceptual work — a fascinating trip into all the sonorities possible to create on the guitar.

 

Press Photos

Guitar Republic Guitar Republic    

 

Tour Schedule

2012

February 24 Arden Theatre, St-Albert AB
February 25 Banff Performing Arts Center, Banff AB
February 26 Whitefish Theatre, Whitefish MT
February 27/28 Myrna Loy Theater, Helena MT
February 29  Ellen Theater, Bozeman MT
March 1 Washington Performing Arts Center, Olympia WA
March 3 Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland WA
March 4 Capilano College, N. Vancouver BC

 

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