Bruce Mathiske is an Australian acoustic guitarist who plays
in the mold of another great Aussie, Tommy Emmanuel. He got his first guitar at
the age of seven. He studied classical guitar at seventeen and moved to jazz at
twenty-one. But when he heard Chet Atkins at the age of twenty-two, he became a
hardcore fingerstyle player, although he does occasionally use a flat pick.
From the age of twenty-two to twenty-eight he practiced ten hours a day then
played in bands in the evening to support himself. As he’s aged, he’s trimmed
back to only five hours of practice a day.
While Chet Atkins was a huge influence, he also cites Pink
Floyd, Peter Gabriel, and Paul Simon as significant influences on his playing.
Although he doesn’t refer to him, I hear a lot of Tommy Emmanuel in his style.
His musical repertoire is eclectic ranging from covers of great pop songs to
jazz to Latin. Check out Classical Gas Espanol as an example. Hope you enjoy
this fabulous Aussie guitarist.
Pulling my own strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MvaynDCfbY
Still haven’t found what I’m looking for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FimslOFSs
Eleanor Rigby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYS9gzNQJbA
Somewhere over the rainbow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sByyEdZc1v4
Classical Gas Espanol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOFfUR93rI
Dance of the gypsy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwUp3KMrQeE
Havana nights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs5FsPB-Q8U
The water is wide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9RgGxtkR1s
Edgy does it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozXSeHXWybI
It don’t mean a thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJTccylU4kA
A 2009 D’Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz ($18.00) is the perfect Aussie wine to
compliment Bruce. A blend of
94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier, Laughing Magpie is inky purple with
an explosive bouquet of blackberries, plums, and expresso. The taste is full of
dark berries, coffee, chocolate, pepper, and hint of wood smoke. It has a nice
long finish with velvety tannins. One suggestion, though, aerate this wine for
a bit. I suggest either decanting or using something like a Vinturi. It will
really open up and bloom. Throw something on the Barbie, grab a bottle of
Laughing Magpie, and crank up the music of Bruce Mathiske. After all, it’s
the first day of spring!
Cheers!
