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Member
of a generation without prejudices, the
Chilean singer-songwriter Gepe has adapted
the most diverse musical influences to his
vision, marking his work with folk roots
(Violeta Parra and Victor Jara), a refined
pop (Brian Wilson and his album "Smile"
has been key) and melodic experimentation
(Animal Collective and Devandra Banhart).
A prolific singer-songwriter, Gepe brings
together all those songs which started taking
shape in a home-made fashion between four
walls and saw how he improved his profile
as a musician on his first LP, edited by
Quemasucabeza Records. "Gepinto" is the
result of this work which frees traditions
to create a musical personality which has
been valued as unique.
Produced and recorded by Rodrigo Santis
(Congelador), "Gepinto" became the most
acclaimed independent disc of 2005, grabbing
the attention of the press who highlighted
his talent and good sound, and put him on
the same level as international creators
that have renewed the recent musical scene.
Alias of the musician Daniel Riveros (24),
Gepe started his solo career after drumming
and singing in bands like Taller Dejao alongside
the singer-songwriter Javiera Mena.
It is precisely the folkier taste of those
projects that come out in his solo work
which is characterised by the simplicity
of the guitar and vocals to which delicate
arrangements are added.
Defying the expectations set by his EP "5x5",
edited in 2004, Gepe released "Gepinto"
in November 2005, managing to be considered
one of the best albums of the year in only
two months, receiving praise, first places
and capturing the attention of the press
that don't doubt to classify him as "the
Chilean musician of the moment.
His live band is formed by Pablo Flores
(keyboards, sound machines) and Sebastián
Sampieri (charango, percussion), both member
of the group Aves de Chile amongst others.
Gepe is preparing his career for the international
stage in mid-2006 with the help of Quemasucabeza,
which will include a full tour of France,
Spain, Holland and Germany. In this way,
he hopes to consolidate the excellent job
he has done in Chile and defy expectations
created in Europe with the single "Namás",
included in the compilation "Panorama Neutral"
that has been praised by specialist European
critics.
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GEPE
