New Artist Spotlight:
Anton Emery
A 67 Music Exclusive
By SláinteSteve
So as I am surfing around in Craigslist ‘musicians’ column recently, thinking on furthering my guitar playing skills with a lesson or two, I come upon an intriguing ad and click on it.
What I find is more than someone who gives lessons. Sure, I read the ad and see what he is offering. As I look deeper, though, I see more than that. There are nice pictures and a link to this Gentleman’s website. I click on that and learn more about this person, and after reading through it all, something inside my mind tells me “Wow, Portland needs to know about this guy”.
So I contacted him, and he agreed to meet for an interview.
“This guy” is Anton Emery, a Celtic fingerstyle guitar player, ‘newly’ relocated to Portland about 3 and a half years ago from Florida, where he grew up. He began playing guitar at the age of 15, when his Uncle Lloyd gave him his first guitar, a Martin Sigma.
He began by playing the blues, and then shifted to flamenco, which then inspired him to take up classical guitar. Eventually that led him to where he is now, playing Celtic music.
Influenced by musician Friends, and established artists such as Tony McManus and more so by Steve Baughman, (with whom he studied under at The Swannanoa Gathering Guitar Week in Ashville, North Carolina back in 2002 and again in 2003), he began writing his own arrangements of standards. Baughman’s use of ‘Orkney’ tuning (CGDGCD) stuck with Emery, it is the tuning he favors and uses almost exclusively.
After college and playing in the Irish Session scene for a few more years in Tallahassee, Anton then relocated here to Portland, where he works, plays weekly at trad sessions and teaches guitar and flute.
Another exciting achievement for Anton (also a 67 Music Exclusive) is the debut of his first-ever solo cd, released just this February, entitled “Noone Lasses”, recorded in the Bay Area over most of 2009 and Produced by none other than Steve Baughman. I have heard the cd and it is beautiful. It is now available, preview and purchase his cd at CD Baby at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/AntonEmery. It will also be available soon on iTunes.
We all know there is a wealth of world-class talent right here in Portland and the Pacific Northwest, now it has grown with the addition of Anton Emery. Please help welcome Anton to our City and support him by purchasing his new album, and attending his shows and sessions in and around Portland.
Anton will be performing at 67 Music’s 1st Anniversary Celebration at Biddy’s in Portland April 10th.
For more info, visit Anton’s website at www.celticfingerstyleguitar.com.
Welcome to Portland, Anton!
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Lovely discovery! Can’t wait to hear him play on April 10th at Biddy’s ~
…An addendum to this story: “Noone Lasses” available on iTunes as of 3/2/10 as well!
Thanks very much for the kind words Steve. You all are doing a great job of supporting celtic music here at SixtySeven. Looking forward to playing in your show.
Anton