Influences: Ricardo Donoso

 
Music

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Donoso is a musician whom has drawn great influence from the musical culture amidst which he was raised. Now based in Boston he has worked tirelessly as an independent producer and recording artist having released music on the likes of Hospital Records, Digitalis, Further Records and Denovali. His own musical tastes are broad and far reaching, this has helped him to formulate a distinctive style, a gracious blend of both light and dark – a meeting of worlds and frequencies. 

This month marks the release of a new album on Denovali from the burgeoning producer. "Calibrate" sees him push beyond the stereotypical confine of his comfort zone, challenging an experimental array of new material and sounds. 

We invited him to guide us through his own musical experience and listening preferences. 


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Mr.Bungle - Carry Stress In The Jaw

The gateway drug for me. This record “Disco Volante” opened the floodgates for me as a teenager and i still consider it my favorite record due to the impact it’s had. This tune is what brought me in – Jazz, Death Metal, extreme technical proficiency, humor and insane arrangements. This is what set me down the track of always looking for what else could you do with music?

  • Mr.Bungle - Carry Stress In The Jaw

    The gateway drug for me. This record “Disco Volante” opened the floodgates for me as a teenager and i still consider it my favorite record due to the impact it’s had. This tune is what brought me in – Jazz, Death Metal, extreme technical proficiency, humor and insane arrangements. This is what set me down the track of always looking for what else could you do with music?

  • Logic Bomb - Shadow Of The Beast

    One of the first raves i attended in Rio was Logic Bomb live in the outskirts somewhere in 2000, after a friends high school graduation. I remember hearing this song and it just changing something in my brain. It hasn’t aged gracefully, most electronic music doesn’t; but i still love the arpeggios, synth counterpoints and accompanying harmony. I also couldn’t understand how the fuck they made this let alone played it live on a Nord Lead (i went behind the stage to find the Nord Lead wasn’t even plugged in)…This curiosity though really led me down the path of electronic produced music.

  • Arvo Pärt, Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten

    A very pure composer – while on a paper a simple cannon, the genius of Part and this piece is the complexity that is formed from the interaction of simple things and musical dynamic expression. In a small grain of sand and entire universe unfolds. One of the few masters still with us.

  • Elis Regina & Tom Jobim - "Aguas De Março" - 1974

    I remember being very moved listening to Jobim and bossanova as a young kid in the car driving with my parents. Something about Jobim’s music in particular has always stuck with me; there is a deep, deep longing and melancholy while simultaneously being very hopeful.

  • Runzelstirn & Gurgelstøck - Asshole / Snail Dilemma

    Rudolf Eb.er & the entire Schimpfluch group are masters. I love the hyper edited jump-cut Runzelstirn material but it’s really what they do live and their mission on the senses that is profound. They really push the boundaries of what constitutes music and live performance.

  • Ft6: Nmperign In Franklin Park

    I had the privilege of seeing these guys many times as well as play with them. There is a great group of improvisers in Boston really taking the post-cagian thing to next levels. Being at these concerts and improvising with some of these folks was so meaningful to me. It really taught me how to listen.

  • John Williams Conducts E.T. - Adventures On Earth

    My favorite Williams score. Here the man conducts the piece himself. Still just as moving to me today as it was when i was 7 or 8 when i first saw the film. The arrangement is beautiful and quite complex – this piece is where he really integrates the several themes throughout the movie into one long piece. The fanfare at the end gets me everytime. I have been working on an arrangement for this piece to play live.

  • Kiss From A Rose

    Seal II is my favorite pop record. Trevor Horn’s production is amazing, really sophisticated arrangements, instrumentation and thick harmony’s, it’s incredible. This is from 1994 and sounds like it could have come out yesterday. This tune is the most classic people know, but the entire record is amazing. My go to karaoke jammer.