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Guitar Student Demos Instrumental Compositions
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Minnesota-based guitarist and music student Fredrik Olsson submitted a four song demo cassette of compositions produced on his four-track recorder. The lightning fast offerings feature the use of tri tone passages ("Tri Me") and incredible displays of technique ("The Visit"), as well as demonstrate Olsson's compositional preferences and theoretical knowledge. The song "Etude Nr. I", a classical duet piece, was actually written out in its entirety before Olsson finally attempted to play it on guitar. If Olsson manages to spend an equal amount of time composing and recording as he currently spends playing guitar (up to ten hours per day), we should begin to see some fantastically creative output from this young guitar player.
Fredrick has been playing the guitar almost thirteen years. Originally from Sweden, Fredrik moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to attend the Musicians Institute. After six months at G.I.T., he moved again, this time to Minneapolis. He has been studying guitar as a student at Music Tech for the past year. His style is evolving from its metallic base towards a rock/fusion technique in the tradition of Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson and Greg Howe. Fredrik religiously practices a minimum of six hours each day at his instrument.
Olsson's plans for the future include trying to make his living by playing music, either as a teacher or studio musician. Even a record deal would be nice!
Contact Information
Fredrik Olsson
1325 West 27th Street, #304
Minneapolis, MN 55408
United States
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Four-Piece Instrumental Group Releases First CD
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The Alien Cowboys, a four-piece instrumental rock group, has released its first CD featuring all original material, highlighted by big singable melodies and driving rhythms crafted around tight musical arrangements. The band is made up of Bruce Stevenson on rhythm guitar, Ian Thompson on drums, Greg Jones on bass and Ralph Perucci on lead guitar. The band submitted an EP-length version of their CD, titled appropriately Alien Cowboys, with four songs. Each song is a standout, featuring brisk, high-energy grooves, soaring, timeless melodies and the icing on the cake for guitarists -- straight-from-the-gut, searing solos from Perucci's axe. Add stellar production and a great package and you've got a great rock record on your hands, certain to be noticed by an otherwise jaded rock press.
The Alien Cowboys first formed and began playing in the spring of 1997, when Bruce and Ian got together and began writing their original material at their Fremont studio. Six months later, veteran club and studio bassist Greg Jones joined to the complete the Alien Cowboys rhythm section. The trio then added New York studio whiz Ralph Perucci, who brought his explosive and distinctively melodic guitar style to round out the instrumental quartet and form the nucleus of the recording entity.
The Alien Cowboys have begun the marketing and sales push for their CD, offering the record in either a four song EP format, or a full-length (9 song) album. A full-color poster comes free with each CD.
Contact Information
Alien Cowboys
39270 Paseo Padre Pkwy #430
Fremont, CA 94538
United States
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
