Ryan Francesconi

Event information

Exclusive UK show for guitarist Ryan Francesconi. Perhaps best known as the musical director for Joanna Newsom's epic 'Have One On Me', Ryan Francesconi's guitar playing transcends the usual Takoma-tropes to incorporate a diverse range of influences from African kora music to Bulgarian folk.

RYAN FRANCESCONI

In 2011, Portland’s Ryan Francesconi (until recently best known for his work as the musical director on Joanna Newsom’s stunning triple album “Have One On Me”) has established himself as a leading figure in acoustic composition and performance. Now he prepares to comes back to Europe to prove it again.

“Parables”, his first record under his own name (having been producing solo electronic music as RF since 1999), gave dazzling notice of his ability to conjure pieces that ring with personal truth while absorbing myriad influences and techniques. Recorded live without overdubs, Francesconi's solo acoustic guitar creates a surprisingly rich sound that hints at his extensive musical interests - American bluegrass, Baroque lute music, traditional Bulgarian folk and jazz improvisation among others.

Francesconi embarked upon his first solo tour of Europe early in 2011, spellbinding hushed rooms across the continent and picking up press acclaim along the way (see below). Since then he’s been working on new music for his next album (slated for completion this year), and developing his duo work with fellow Joanna Newsom band member Mirabai Peart (violin) – both of which should be in evidence next year. For this tour though it’s just him and a guitar – expect whole worlds to open up.

QUOTES ON RYAN FRANCESCONI:

“One of the most awe-inspiring musicians I've known … it is nearly impossible to believe he's picking those strings with just one hand. This is solo music that sounds like an ensemble; an ecstatic and measured reconciliation of West-African/ Balkan/ Baroque/ bluegrass influences, which ultimately resembles nothing I know” Joanna Newsom

"The acoustic guitar carries with it so much cultural baggage that it's refreshing to hear it almost anew ... these eight questing tracks radiate a kind of eloquent calm that recalls fellow guitar travellers such as James Blackshaw" The Observer

“Sparkling ornaments that recall Toumani Diabaté's kora … although Francesconi undeniably has great technique, he doesn't go in for grandstanding or flashy sprints … a beautiful album, carried off with poetic aplomb” The Wire

"Quite lovely...it has an appealingly contemplative air throughout, as if Francesconi can project an air of calm through his music even in the midst of fiendish technical complexity" John Mulvey, Uncut

"One of the great instrumental music releases of the year ... it even seems like it’s Francesconi, and not Joanna Newsom, who is the seminal creator of the warm academicism and melodic mutation in a narrative thread that we saw in albums like "Have One On Me" Playground