OK. So who am I? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.To begin, I am fascinated by Spain and the Spanish way of life. I play Flamenco Guitar, an art form that I spend hours on end trying to perfect. I spent half a year in Spain studying flamenco with various masters of the instrument, maestros, gypsies, the occasional junky on the street that played virtuostically. So when I ran out of money, I came back to Canada.Back in Canada, I got a full time job and realized that life is too short sitting in front of a computer screen and being bombarded by florescent lights all day. So I went to music school, or "fantasy camp" as I like to call it. Because that's what it really is. It's seems like a fantasy to go to school and learn how to play really cool music with some really good musicians. Nonetheless, I learned a lot and graduated in 2005. Now what? For now, I teach guitar and I gig in and around the Toronto area. These days, mostly festivals, weddings and corporate functions where I often get approached by drunken yuppies asking me if I know how to play Bamboleo.The more you suffer, the more your desire to be happy becomes. And so my quest for happiness continues. At times I feel as though was I born on the wrong continent.Yeah so there's more, but won't get into it just yet. I encourage you to message me if you want. I have some of my tunes posted here, Feel free to download them.Oh! And I also co-host a flamenco guitar transcriptions website: www.moderntoque.com Gracias.----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------Benjamin Barrile , rooted in the traditions of flamenco guitar, maintains that, "As a student of flamenco guitar, there are so many aspects of this complex form of music that I have yet to master or even begin exploring. Flamenco is not just music, but culturally, it is a way of life."
Despite having studied guitar briefly in Jerez de la Frontera, a small town and flamenco hotbed in Andalusia, Spain, Benjamin explains that, "one of the main problems facing a flamenco guitar student living outside of Spain is not being constantly surrounded by flamenco culture on a daily basis and thus not always having the opportunity to accompany experienced flamenco singers and dancers which is a vital part of the whole learning experience. The other problem is having to live in a fast paced society that requires you to constantly figure out ways not to lose your shirt living as an artist. Either way, it becomes increasingly difficult to find time to practise. Flamenco guitar technique takes years to develop and sometimes, there are just not enough hours in the day to tackle it all. But my passion for this particular art form outweighs the frustrations behind any of these obstacles. I persist on learning more."
Benjamin Barrile: Flamenco Guitar
Kevin Mendes: Cajon
Kiko Lalonde: Bass
Tracks recorded at Maximum Sound Studios. www.maximumsoundstudios.com
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