NEWS
EVENTS
A Guitar Hero
Indie | Tuesday 18th June 2013 | Abby
In just a little over a decade, Guy Buttery has obtained the titles ‘the one man guitar orchestra’ and ‘the finger-style guitar giant’ through his exceptional talent for pioneering guitar playing. Guy Buttery is the man who now stands as one of the world’s most notable guitar heroes, at only age 30.
Born and raised in a small coastal town in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, was the wonderfully talented guitarist and music composer, Guy Buttery. Since a very young age, Buttery was introduced to music, with his mother being a pianist and guitar-playing older brothers. Music was a natural progression for Guy Buttery when he was at the spritely young age of ten, he was influenced by the ‘African men of blues music’, the Zulu tribesmen who finger-pick oil drum guitars, and internationally renowned artists such as Bob Dylan and Bob Marely. Being given one of his brother’s second-hand guitars, Buttery got into guitar lessons, and from then on every one who heard Buttery play were sincerely impressed. Dedicated to hours of guitar practice each day led Buttery to pioneer into a unique and innovative sound.
Buttery was only 17 when he served as the supporting artist for the notorious Mozambican musicians Gito Baloi and Nibs van der Spuy. These artists were astonished at his talent, and within a year Buttery was signed with Sheer Sound, a South African world/jazz label. 2002 saw the release of Buttery’s first debut album When I Grow Up which named him the youngest nominee in history for the South African Music Awards. But his recognition did not stop there, as Buttery continued to strive in the music industry being nominated for the ‘Best Instrumental Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Newcomer for 2002’ all at age 18. A new style was born when Buttery began to hybridise his finger-plucking of his guitar, by using both of his hands on the fret board to conjure a new harmonic sound. The release of his subsequent albums continued to be recognised and nominated for awards and began his world-wide performances, playing at incredible festivals such as the International Guitar Festival and Big Day Out, playing alongside some of the world’s most notable acoustic artists such as Missy Higgins. 2010 was the year that saw Buttery win the ‘Best Instrumental Album of the Year’ and ‘The Standard Bank Golden Ovation Award’ for his album Fox Hill Line.
Only yesterday, 17th June, Guy Buttery announced the launch for his first live album, Live in KwaZulu, which is a compilation of beautiful instrumentals with the incorporation of soft vocals every now and again. These live tracks are collectively a masterpiece, which has earned Buttery the title of a ‘one man guitar orchestra’.
Guy Buttery has constructed for the world a stunning library of acoustic, folk, tribal-inspired music which is emotionally invigorating! Check out the title track from Buttery’s multiple award winning album Fox Hill Lane right here:
Written By Abby D @AbbyDonkin
