Gaudi (Music Producer / Solo Artist)

Copyviocore
url=http://www.bigchill.net/story/2113/gaudi.html
month = October
day = 5
year = 2008
time = 23:17
timestamp = 20081005231735

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Gaudi

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Img_capt = Gaudi in 2007
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Daniele Gaudi
Alias = Gaudi, Dub Alchemist, Groovekilla, Mad Master Moog, Lele Gaudi,
Born = birth date and age|1963|7|12 Bologna, Italy
Instrument = Moog Synthesizer, Theremin, Keyboards, Melodica, Singing
Voice_type =
Genre = Dub, Reggae, Electronica, World Music, Breakbeat
Occupation = Musician, Composer, Record Producer, Songwriter, Singer
Years_active = 1981-present
Label = Polygram, Mercury, Six Degrees, Interchill, FAX, Em:t
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.gaudimusic.com www.gaudimusic.com]

Daniele Gaudi (born July 12, 1963) is an Italian musician and composer. Gaudi's music is a fusion of dub, world and nu-beat and is in production and performed live in the United Kingdom and internationally. His career started in the early 1980s, his musical foundations were set in electronic and reggae music [ [http://betterpropaganda.com/content.aspx?id=216 Better Propaganda | Music | Interviews | betterPropaganda talks to Gaudi | 2004] ] .

Biography

Early days - Italy 1981-1995

Gaudi's professional career started in 1981 in Italy as a keyboard player in the band Wild Planet with the creation of a new music style fusing new wave and ska.

His first steps in electronic music where taken two years later with the band Red Light and following that in 1985 he joined Violet Eves, a band with an important role in the Italian underground music scene. Their sound combined electronic, punk and traditional melodies. That same year Gaudi was contacted by reggae band Bamboo Company who gave him the opportunity to develop his production skills and also increased his music knowledge in what was to become the heart and soul of his style from then on – Reggae music.

Gaudi started to gain recognition in the music underground scene for his production work and began to be approached by other bands for studio production and collaboration work. This included work with ‘The Gang’ (album “Barricada”, 1985) and ‘Disciplinatha’ (album “Abbiamo pazientato 40 anni, ora basta”, 1987). In 1986 Gaudi and three members of his previous band Bamboo Company formed Raptus, the first Hip Hop band to use Italian lyrics. They released the single “Peggio della colla” with the Indie label Multimedia Attak Punk Records and were subsequently spotted by Italian popstar Vasco Rossi and his production team Terryball. Terryball produced the next single but although expectation for the project was high unfortunately exposure was low and the band split.

In 1987 Gaudi began his first solo project as a singer under the name ‘Lele Gaudi’ with the creation of what was to become the first ‘Raggamuffin’ album written in the Italian language [Interview | Rastasnob magazine October 2005 | "Intervista a Gaudi Di Giulio Siroli – Rasta Revolution"] . In 1988 the album was finished however record companies were uneasy with the concept of an untried formula and unwilling to take the risk of releasing it. Gaudi spent the next 2 years meeting companies to find an appropriate record deal. During this period he also spent time in Jamaica , testing his project and getting valuable feedback on the quality of his work; it was well received.

Back in Italy, he teamed up with producers Ricky Rinaldi aka ‘Ohm Guru’ and Frank Nemola to form production company ‘Tubi Forti’. Together they produced many indie bands including icons of the Italian hip hop scene ‘Isola Posse All Stars’. This versatile production team also released many dance tunes under different names including: ‘National Rare Groove’, ‘Dr Muff & Crazy Stuff’, ‘4t Thieves’, ‘Etnotechno’ (Gaudi's first experiment using world music with a fusion of Egyptian chants and electro funk).

Two years on from the initial knock-backs Gaudi's signed his first major record deal with Polygram for his solo project. His first single “ Maliniconico Love” was recorded in London featuring Ragga artist ‘Crucial Robbie’ and the video which followed was given major attention by MTV.

Gaudi's debut album “ Basta Poco” was released in Italy in 1991. Massive national media exposure culminated in the winning of his first award as ”Best Italian New Coming Artist 1991”.

Gaudi's second single “1990 Anni Fa” was released later in the year by Polygram/Mercury and was promptly banned from Vatican City due to its ‘sensitive content'. Needless to say this did nothing to harm record sales.

For the tour that followed the success of the album, Gaudi was backed by reggae band WDX. This was the beginning of 4 years of continuous touring and live performances with major international reggae artists [One World Beat interview | OWB interviews GAUDI © Rian van Spaandonk, 18/03/2005] including: Ziggy Marley, Third World, Sister Carol, I Threes, Sweetie Irie, Half Pint, The Wailers, Yellowman, Freddie McGregor, Mutabaruka, Maxi Priest, Shinehead and Jimmy Cliff .

By 1992 Gaudi was becoming an established figure in the Italian music scene and his next single “ Magari” was a top ten hit. The video was also a regular on the MTV playlist. 1992 also saw the release of the politically controversial single “ Legala” by To-sse , a landmark collaboration between many of the major names in the Italian underground scene of which Gaudi was one.

For his second album ‘Gaudium Magnum’ the tag ‘Lele Gaudi’ became simply Gaudi. The single “ Andavo a 100 all'ora” reached the top 10.

In 1993 Gaudi added his signature to a collaboration with socially conscious popstar Ricky Gianco (well known for his upfront social commentary). The exposure gained from this project, firmly established Gaudi as a household name.

In 1994 Gaudi wrote a vocal Ragga part for the single “ Lei sta con te” for pop singer Francesco Baccini

Pulling together previous influences and flavors Gaudi started experimenting with the Theremin in dub and world music, releasing several tracks under the name ‘Dub Alchemist’.

London - 1995 - present

In 1995 Gaudi made the decision to move to London where access to a growing international and more groundbreaking music industry would allow him to continue to develop both artistically and professionally [Interview | Rastasnob magazine October 2005 | "Intervista a Gaudi Di Giulio Siroli – Rasta Revolution"] .

in 1996 Gaudi set up ‘Metatron Studio London’ which is his current creative HQ as well as the production company ‘Sub Signal’ .

Gaudi was also still exploring the frontiers of his field and wrote and produced a concept album “Sound of Anatomy” under the name ‘Ultraviolet Zero’ with Pauli Atzei.

Gaudi had risen to the challenge of re-establishing himself and in November 1996 he reached No.1 in the UK dance chart with his remix of Cool Jack's “ Jus' come” (AM PM Records) - it was released under the project name ‘Terra Terra’, a collaboration between Gaudi and DJ Angelino. This was followed in 1997 with his remix of English indie band ‘Mansun’s’ track “Taxloss” reaching No.15 in the UK Chart and in 1998 his remix of Peter Andre’s “All about us ” reached No.3 in the UK charts.

All this bought Gaudi recognition for his work as a remixer and in the following years he remixed an impressive line up including: Lamb, Simple Minds, Artful Dodger, Kinobe, Dusted, Trilok Gurtu, 1 Giant Leap, Africa Bambaataa, Apache Indian, Shpongle, Almamegretta, Elisa among others.

In 1997 Gaudi wrote the track ‘Non ti Scrivero’’ for Italian pop star Irene Grandi which featured on her double platinum selling album ‘Per fortuna purtroppo’.

Since 1997 Gaudi has also written and produced soundtracks for TV programs including the “MTV Europe Music Awards 1998”, and music for TV commercials including ones for Sony Playstation, Longines, Fiat, Seat, Energie, Fiorucci and “ The Express” newspaper amongst others.

In September 1999, after receiving 3 gold discs and 1 silver, Gaudi's third album “Earthbound” (Bustin Loose Recordings) was released worldwide. Earthbound contains a mix of influences ranging from Indian ragas to African chanting and from Jamaican chatting to Italian traditional melodies; it’s one unifying factor being the flavors of reggae and dub. The album featured 39 musicians from around the globe, including Jamaican Ragga artist General Levy , Indian singers Kiren Sambhi and Sonal Varsani , Sardinian voice virtuoso Tenores di Neoneli with Trio Cocco, and Antonio Testa who provided the track “ Stalagmite” , which was recorded in a cave playing natural stalagmites.

Earthbound gave Gaudi worldwide sales recognition and the exposure led to many tracks appearing on various compilations. The album ‘Earthbound in Dub’ was also released later that year on Sub Signal.

In 2000 Gaudi spent time in Africa in Burkina Faso experiencing for himself the lifestyles and culture of the indigenous communities; for Gaudi it was a profound experience personally; his connections with many talented musicians and the subsequent recordings that he made out there where the catalyst for his next album ‘Bass, Sweat & Tears’.

2000 also saw the beginning of an important collaboration between Gaudi and DJ Pathaan, one of the biggest exponents on the World music scene at that time. Together they created ‘Orchestral World Groove’ (OWG), released several tracks for compilations and toured internationally over a four year period with performing at high profile venues world wide and festivals such as Roskilde (Denmark), Skol Beat (Brazil), The Big Chill and Gatecrasher (England).

Aside from a busy schedule of performances, production and writing, 2001 saw Gaudi getting involved in creating music for films. He produced the title track for the Italian movie “ Luna Rossa ” by director Sergio Capuano which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival. He also co-wrote tracks for the soundtrack of the movie “ Cuore scatenato ” by director Gianluca Sodaro , with Raiz and Paolo Polcari (two members of Italian cult band Almamegretta) .

Two further movie projects followed in 2002 as Gaudi wrote the soundtracks for “High Speed” by Hollywood director Jeff Jensen and “The Ride” by UK director Andrea Strand . He also wrote the soundtrack for the theatre play “My Beautiful Launderette” by Hanif Kureishi, subsequently released on his Sub Signal label. This year also saw the production of the album “Recreational” (Sub Signal 2002) released under the name “Weirdub” - one of Gaudi’s side projects, this time in collaboration with Dr Cat and Polcari and featuring bass legend Bill Laswell.

2003 started with Gaudi producing a version of the song “ The man who sold the world ”, by David Bowie, for historic band Simple Minds. As a result of his work Gaudi then went on to work with Simple Minds front man Jim Kerr on the production and remixing of his single “Innerworld”.

In the summer of 2003 Gaudi put the final touches to his fourth solo album “Bass, Sweat & Tears” - a fusion of dub and nu-beat with a global mix of influences, inspired by native cultures from around the world.

In the summer of 2003 Gaudi collaborated with Italian classical composer Massimo Nunzi on a ground breaking project; the work was a symphonic/jazz interpretation of Shakespeare's “The Tempest” for 20 piece Jazz/Classical orchestra infused with live electronic elements and real-time manipulation. On stage with Gaudi were many of the major exponents of the world jazz scene such as: Gianluigi Trovesi, Mederic Collignon, Gianluca Petrella, Paolo Damiani, Ada Montellanico and Italian pop singer Niccolo Fabi. The Tempest was performed at a high profile concert at the Villa Borghese in Rome and also at the ‘Roccella Jonica Jazz Festival’ in the summer 2003.

With his reputation as a skilled producer and remixer growing and more high profile work taking place both within and out of the studio; 2004 saw Gaudi receive his most prized project to date when he remixed the track "Soul Shake Down Party" by Bob Marley. For a consummate reggae fan such as Gaudi, having the honor of working with the original vocals of an artist such as Marley was an awesome experience.

On the 14th September 2004 Gaudi, in collaboration with French musical inventor Michel Moglia and his unique ‘Fire Organ’, gave a spectacular double performance at The Coliseum, Rome. They performed 'Elemental' - an 'opera of electricity' for Fire Organ and Theremin composed and performed by the duo - to an international audience of more than 350,000.

Gaudi's fourth solo album "Bass, Sweat & Tears", released worldwide by Interchill Records in October 2004, was a huge success and is still today the labels best selling release to date [Mushroom Magazine | Sept 2007 | Artist Profile: Gaudi] . The album reached number 2 in the iTunes European Chart and number 32 in iTunes USA. Tracks from the album are featured in around 40 compilations with 2 film soundtrack licenses having been signed (2 tracks were featured in Pooja Bhatt's Bollywood 'film noir' "Rog" as well as appearing on the oficial CD soundtrack); One of the tracks 'Sufani' was used in the Indian Film "Fareb" and the track ‘Chant Thermique’ featured on the award winning soundtrack [ [http://www.x-dance.com/news/17/20 | X Dance announces 2007 winners] ] for the film ‘Let it Ride’ about the life of snowboarding legend Craig Kelly.

In 2005 Italian pop star Irene Grandi selected 2 tracks written by Gaudi in a joint project with Riccardo Cavalieri for her album ‘Indelebile’. The track ‘Lasciala Andare’, which became the single for the album, was a huge success reaching no. 7 in the Italian charts and staying in the top 10 for 16 consecutive weeks.

The 2005 'Bass, Sweat & Tears’ summer tour saw Gaudi performing both solo and with his band "Live Dub Laboratory", completing a busy schedule of performances at clubs and festivals around the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, Glade Festival, Rototom Sunsplash, Sonica and Omni festivals.

Later in the same year Gaudi's fifth album CONTINVVM was released: created in collaboration with percussionist and Sound-therapist Antonio Testa, Continuum was a concept album blending experimental electronica with organic elements released worldwide by legendary UK label . The album reached no.3 in the iTunes European Electronic chart.

2006 was kicked off by a great collaborative album release between Gaudi and legendary ambient music producer Pete Namlook; Their album "Re:sonate", combines Pete’s ‘trademark’ lengthy meandering structures and spacey pads with Gaudi’s dub vibes and unique ‘home-grown’ sounds, producing an end result that is both very Namlook and definitely Gaudi at the same time. Recorded at Klanglabor Hodeshof, Germany, in November 2005, it was released worldwide on 23rd January 2006 by FAX Records.

As well as his own work Gaudi was also involved in a memorable studio collaboration with dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry and highly respected producer Dennis Bovell. His role, with fellow producer Charlie Redseal, was in the programming of new drum parts for the remakes of three iconic Bob Marley tracks written by Perry: "Kaya", "Sun Is Shining" and "Punky Reggae Party".

Gaudi’s production and performance skills saw him invited to collaborate on a number of different projects in 2006; He co-wrote and played Melodica, Theremin and Moog on the track ‘Palmprint' by electro-dub duo 'Sounds From The Ground' for their album "High Rising". He also produced and co-wrote the debut solo album of Ashtech "Walkin' Target" which includes 4 tracks featuring the inimitable voice of 'Cheshire Cat' from legendary production team Leftfield.

Gaudi's compilation "Sub Signals vol.1" - a selection of prime dub cuts from a pedigree stable of artists, was released on his label ‘Sub Signal’ in association with Interchill Records in November 2006.

By 2007, with 10 albums to his name, 250 music productions, over 80 remixes and more than 100 compilations featuring his tracks, Gaudi had become an artist and producer in demand. One high profile visitor to Metatron Studio that year was reggae legend Horace Andy who Gaudi recorded for the track ‘Just say who’ which featured, alongside Gaudi’s remix of the same, on Almamegretta’s album ‘Vulgus’. A busy and high profile international tour with performances in Australia, Canada, Russia, USA and Europe kept him busy while not in the studio.

Gaudi's own very special album project "Dub Qawwali" featuring the amazing vocals of the 'Pakistan’s premier ambassador of Qawwali music' Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was released worldwide August 2007 by Six Degrees Records. It received massive critical acclaim internationally reaching no.2 in iTunes USA Chart, no.4 in the UK and was the no.1 seller in Amazon.com’s Electronic Music section for a period. It also earned him a nomination for the BBC's World Music Awards 2008 [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2008/2008_gaudi_nusrat_fateh_ali_khan.shtml | BBC Awards for World Music | Nominees] ] .

In early 2008 Gaudi lent out his talents in a studio session with the legendary “hip hop pioneer” Grandmaster Flash, for his single “What if no more hip hop”. Shortly after that he made a temporary move to Italy to work on the hit TV show The X Factor [ [http://www.xfactor.rai.it/category/0,1067207,1067131-1077398,00.html | Rai.it |X Factor profile (artistic team/vocal groups)] ] . His role included being a judge for the early stage selection process before becoming the vocal coach for the Groups category. Four months of very hard work coaching the groups with television appearances 4 times a day finally paid off with one of his groups ‘Aram Quartet’ emerging victorious, winning the show and a sizable recording contract with Sony Music.

Gaudi is currently working on a new album. His first up-tempo project - planned for release in spring 2009 - fuses dub, breakbeat and new wave.

Bands and pseudonyms

* Dub Alchemist
* Lele Gaudi’
* National Rare Groove
* 4T Thieves
* Dr Muff & Crazy Stuff
* Mad Master Moog
* Ultraviolet Zero
* Weirdub
* Groovekilla
* Raptus
* B.A.G.
* Re-vinyl
* Los Angels
* Terra Terra
* Orchestral World Groove (OWG)

Discography

Albums

* GAUDI + NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN "Dub Qawwali" (Six Degrees 2007)
* GAUDI & PETE NAMLOOK "Re:sonate" (Fax Records 2006)
* GAUDI:TESTA 1105 "Continvvm" ( 2005)
* GAUDI "Bass, Sweat & Tears" (Interchill 2004)
* GAUDI & KEITA "My Beautiful Laundrette" (Sub Signal 2002)
* GAUDI "Earthbound in Dub" (Sub Signal 2000)
* GAUDI "Earthbound" (Bustin'Loose/Antenna 1999)
* GAUDI "Gaudium magnum" (Polygram/Mercury 1993)
* GAUDI "Basta Poco" (Polygram/Mercury 1991)

ingles & 12in

* GAUDI "The Remixes" (Interchill 2008)
* GAUDI "Sufani" (Absolutely Records 2004)
* GAUDI " Desert " (Bustin'Loose 2000)
* MAD MASTER MOOG "Cadillac kitsch" (Tube Trax 1999)
* DUB ALCHEMIST "Retrospective" (Irma Records 1996)
* LOS ANGELS "I want to break free" (Zac 1995)
* LAINZ MEET GAUDI "Vinile" (Black note 1994)
* GAUDI: "Andavo a 100 all'ora" (Polygram 1993)
* GAUDI "Magari" (Polygram 1992)
* GAUDI "Magari" (Polygram/Mercury 1992)
* GAUDI "1990 anni fa" (Polygram/Mercury 1991)
* TOSSE "Legala" (Vox Pop 1991)
* GAUDI "Malinconico love" (Polygram/Mercury 1991)
* ISOLA POSSE ALL STAR "Stop al Panico" (Century Vox 1991)
* ASEO "Ghe Sboro" 7in (Srazz records 1991)
* NATIONAL RARE GROOVE "Talking to you" (Calypso 1990)
* NATIONAL RARE GROOVE "Let's dance" (Calypso 1989)
* 4T THIEVES "Etnotechno" (Irma records 1989)
* DR.MUFF & CRAZY STUFF "Don't forget this" (Mighty Quinn 1989)
* RAPTUS "Peggio Della Colla" (Attak Punk records 1986)

Remixes

Productions & Projects

Notes

External Links

* [http://www.gaudimusic.com/ Gaudi's official website]
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* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gaudi Gaudi's discography at Discogs]