SoundClick artist: Matthew Sear - Guitarist specialising in Classical / Renaissance to contemporary (including Electric Guitar)

A very warm welcome to my page.

I am an English Guitarist and Composer. I specialise in Classical Guitar although I am also a practising Electric Guitarist. Currently I am signed to the label Pixie-Tricks Heritage and Media Ltd.

The label is close to my heart as it specialises in music that is off the beaten track. My first CD release "Moods From The Latin Quarter" is a collection of Spanish and Latin American guitar music. As a composer, I am writing a collection of pieces for a cable TV documentary. My composition style is no holds barred and I may be under the Classical genre but my composition style travels many places.

Why this name?

As a soloist in a specialism that sadly isn't commercially popular having a sense of personal identity is very important.

Do you play live?

A full list of my public performance can be found at www.myspace.com/matthewsear75. I perform mainly solo classical guitar but also in a voice and guitar duo with my wife Suzanne. Previously concerts have taken me to Greece, Spain and the U.S.A. My favourite concert where everything just flowed so well was at St Paul's Church Covent Garden (UK) 14/2/06.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

As a supporter of so much specialist and underground music I love what is happening to the industry. There will always be the cool little Vinyl and collectors shops but if a few mainstream shops have to close I wont lose too much sleep.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

As a soloist, no. Besides my personal views commercially the average Classical CD sells only 2000 copies on a major label. So the life change 2000 copies could achieve would no way compete with the fun of working with an independent label and having pure control.

Band History:

I began teaching myself the Guitar and Piano at 13 and 14 respectively. Later as an undergraduate I studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and as post graduate at Surrey University. I recently broadcasted live on BBC Radio and signed to a small label willing to promote the kind of Classical Guitar music that I love so much.

Your influences?

I love the music of Vaugham Williams and Leo Brouwer. As a composer their styles have influenced my Classical compositions. Randy Rhoads and John 5 are probably my biggest Electric Guitar influences. Vocally I love the sounds of Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant and Suzanne Sear.

Favorite spot?

Florence is my favourite place in the world. A close second is Oxford.

Equipment used:

For recitals I play a hand built Rik Middleton and also a Tony Johnson Guitar. I have a number of other hand built Classicals including a Granados and Manuel Contreras. For session work I have a load of Electric Guitars. The ones I keep coming back to are the Flying V with EMG 81's and the SG Platinum. For slide I use a 62 reissue Jaguar and Fender custom Stratocaster. For acoustic gigs that need an amp I use an Ashdown Acoustic Radiator. On rare rock gigs I run as JSX head through a 1960A Marshall Cab.

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