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Recent News October 30, 2009
Erik Mongrain to be on "Later With Jools Holland" November 3rd
On Tuesday, November 3rd, self-taught lap-tapping virtuoso Erik Mongrain will be appearing with a handful of A-list musical artists on the BBC's Later with Jools Holland . Mongrain will display his unique style of guitar playing on the contemporary British music television show alongside Jay-Z, Sting, Foo Fighters and Norah Jones. In addition to the episode being aired on November 4th, an extended version is set to air on Friday, November 6th on the BBC. Check your local listings for more information on air times and channels. July 27, 2009
Erik Mongrain to Start North East Tour
Erik Mongrain, a young guitarist who has quickly made his mark in the instrumental world with his unique style of acoustic guitar tapping and strumming, will be playing a select number of northeast listening rooms beginning in August. The Canadian-born Mongrain will begin his string of dates in Ontario at the Canadian Guitar Festival, travel through Cambridge, MA (Club Passim), Vienna, VA (Jammin Java), Schwenksville, PA (Philadelphia Folk Festival), New York (Joe's Pub) and finish in his hometown of Montreal @ the new L'Astral. Erik's most recent album, "Equilibrium," is available now on Prophase Music. For more on Erik please visit www.erikmongrain.com
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 Growing up to the varied sounds of Metallica, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, Erik discovered an interest in the guitar at an early age. At 14, he received his first classical guitar and immediately learned all of his favorite songs by ear. A year later, he bought his very first electric guitar which allowed him to learn and play Nirvana songs to his delight.
Over the following four years, he learned guitar on his own, composed his own music and discovered Johann Sebastian Bach’s classical guitar melodies, which he learned by heart. Around the age of 18, he discovered a Canadian guitar giant who goes by the name of Don Ross. It was during this period in his life that Erik chose acoustic guitar as his favorite musical instrument through which he wished to share his passion with others around him. He made another major discovery with the contemporary music of a Californian named Michael Hedges. “It was a true revelation to me, I had finally found my niche” stated Erik. He is still a great fan of Michael Hedges until this day. During that time, he discovered and experimented a technique, which was, until then, unknown to him; “lap taping” – “I immediately adopted that technique.” With the guitar on his lap, he taped the cords as if it were a piano. The effect was spectacular! People passing by on the streets instantly became his first “fans”. Over those years, Erik played in streets and subway stations in Montreal, in the U.S. as well as in Europe. In Granada, Spain, a journalist came across this young Montrealer, who was then 21, sitting on the sidewalk and playing his guitar. Impressed by his talent, he wrote an article in the “Granada” newspaper and made the following prediction: "As another great guitar tapping player, Stanley Jordan, Mongrain started out in the streets of Granada, he will continue on in the Barcelona subway and will probably end up recording on world class major labels." Jesus Arias, Granada, May 18, 2001 Erik is a musician who is constantly researching and exploring the world of music. For almost two years now, Erik has resumed standard guitar posture and has been writing at tremendous songs at speed, the harmonies of which are profoundly inspired. It is often said that one cannot fight fate. From streets of Montreal to national television, this young self-taught guitar player has not betrayed the old saying. Erik Mongrain launches his first CD entitled “Fates” … and now “Equilibrium” to the delight of music lovers. |
