Description:
The music of Italian guitarist Pino Forastiere comes from a solid classical, contemporary and rock background, and it's hard to be defined. He “employes a dazzling blend of slapping, tapping, strumming, altered tunings and harmonics, combined with classical phrasing and a focus on distinct and addictive melodies” (Anil Prasad, Guitar Player). His music is "something like a mix of Steve Reich's interlocking rhythmic patterns meet Michael Hedges's techniques, all while admiring Eddie van Halen" (John Schaefer, WNYC).
Born in Latronico, a small village in Southern Italy, Pino moved with his family to Rome in his early childhood. In 1992 he graduated from Santa Cecilia Conservatory with a degree in classical guitar, taking his final exam with a ten-string classical guitar. In the following years, he used this ten-string guitar in live performances with original repertoire. In 1996 he laid down this instrument and picked up a six-string acoustic guitar.
He has studied composition and chamber music, performed in various ensembles with classical or original repertoire, and collaborated with jazz, experimental, electronic and pop projects. Pino lives in Rome, Italy; he performs in venues and festival in Italy, Canada and USA, also for classical societies.
