Mike Riesco
I'm a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, keyboards, hand percussion). However, my primary instruments are acoustic guitar (steel-string, 12 string, classical) and electric guitar. I like a progressive, "no boundaries" approach to writing, incorporating a wide variety of styles into my music (from classical to rock, from country to jazz, from blues to reggae). My favorite styles of composition are either 1) solo acoustic guitar pieces, 2) layered/textured guitar pieces using a variety of guitar tracks, or 3) more complex instrumental pieces with guitar, piano, synth and percussion textures. However, I've also been known to write a pop/rock tune or two...!!
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I love playing live wherever I can, but I seem to have far fewer opportunities than desire.
Your musical influences
I'm strongly influenced by great, innovative guitarists of all genres, including players like Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, David Gilmour, Brian May, Phil Keaggy, Eric Tingstad, Chet Atkins, and others. I'm a huge fan of early-to-mid '70s progressive rock, with bands like Yes, early Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd. I'm also tremendously inspired by the truly great songwriters of our era, such as Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon and Sting. I've tried to incorporate the best innovative and creative elements of all these influences into my own music.
What equipment do you use?
I play mostly Taylor and Martin steel-string guitars, Alvarez 12-string, Esteve classical, and Paul Reed Smith, Ibanez, & Fender electrics. I also tend to like Korg synths and sound modules above all others.
Anything else?
I'd love to revive the creative, innovative spirit of early '70's progressive rock bands (as mentioned above) in my music, but in a more contemporary context. I always try to keep in mind the importance of a great melody, as exemplified by the great songwriters listed above, and incorporate this into all my writing and playing. I'd like to see my music find its way to films, television, and mainstream/commercial applications. I'd like to see boundaries between musical forms dissolve, so that a piece of music can be part Vivaldi, part Jethro Tull, and part Chet Atkins. Now wouldn't that be cool...?
