ECHO Weekly – INDIE SEEN June 4 - 10, 2009
When teenager Alex Tintinalli walks into a room, he looks like an average kid: shaggy hair, baggy clothes and a forget–the–world–I’m–still–under–age attitude. Then you give him a guitar. To explain him as a great musician is completely underrated. Tintinalli has blues in his soul – stepping out on the stage over 200 times in the last 24 months, he’s been prepping to punch the indie community in the gut with his solo debut project.
Completely self–produced, self–written and entirely acoustic, Tintinalli is only gearing up to do what he does best – entertain. With influences that range from as far as Eminem and Dr. Dre to Michael Dainjah and Jimi Hendrix, he explains the EP as “a cross-over from the blues, is a rhythmic blend of rich lyrics spilling over with an abundance of passion that will uplift your spirits and is often compared to the music of John Mayer, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.” And he’s really, really, not kidding.
When Tintinalli released 2007’s Nothing To Lose, he greeted 400 fans at the Wax in Kitchener and followed it up with a live, off–the–floor DVD recording. That kind of attention can’t and doesn’t go unnoticed – he was picked up by the largest blues magazine in the UK for a feature article and has gone on to snag the Kitchener–Waterloo Arts Award for his contribution to the arts community. And as if that wasn’t enough, Tintinalli was named the CBC Galaxy Rising Star at the Tremblant International Blues Festival just last summer.
So what would provoke a kid to pick up guitar and practice the hell out of it till he was good enough to demand the title of a teen blues prodigy? The answer is simple: he loves to do what he does. “I am continuing to make it as an indie artist by just playing as much as possible in as many places as possible,” Tintinalli explains. His secret? “Make sure you stand out from all other artists or else you will just blend in and be forgotten.”
It’s tough to imagine Tintinalli slipping through the cracks, or simply blending in. From an energetic stage show that includes his back up band of Brian Voll (keys), Chris Flannigan (drums), Donovan Mckinley (bass), and Devin Ereshan (guitar), to his music being included on three blues compilation discs, and even a steady rotation of his music worldwide, Tintinalli is a name engraved in the Tri–city music scene. And when you see a packed crowd cheering for the kid with the guitar, remember this – we told you so.
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ECHO Weekly – INDIE SEEN August 13- 19, 2009
With a kid who owns the Midas touch every time he goes near a guitar, it’s tough not to think his next project would have the same effect. Of course we’re talking about infamous Alex Tintinalli, the blues kid wonder from our very own Kitchener–Waterloo.
This time he’s taken up a new genre, a new look and a new band and is ready to debut his underground work face on at the Boathouse on August 14. “Pocket City is a hip hop/funk group mixing old school hip hop and funk to create a new unique vibe/sound,” explains Alex. “With lyrics talking about issues concerning the younger generation, Pocket City openly expresses their views on modern day society.
The band consists of drums, bass, guitar, and turntables. Hopefully with this new funk–hop experience, Pocket City will be able to capture audiences of all ages! The name Pocket City refers to the part of a song that makes you want to move your head and groove!” And Alex has plenty to be confident about.
As the buzz churns about Alex’s new project, he remains humble about his work as he always does, saying that they “always keep in mind its all for the love of music.” With that type of mantra, it’s no wonder that the crowd is already starting to mull over the big show coming up on Friday night. “Our stage show is very energetic! We try to get the audience involved as much as possible and strive to make them leave happy and with a hook stuck in their heads!”
If you’re like everyone else in the K–W scene, then you’re already a fan of Alex Tintinalli – so take his word for it and get your groove on at the Boathouse on August 14.
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Dave King, Cross Harp Chronicles, Jackson, Mississippi
Based on what I saw (I watched your video) and the tracks I heard (and I listened to them all):
Hot Damn, there is a god! This kid demonstrates more genuine ability at fifteen years of age, than many musicians twice his age. As he hones this ability, I see others hanging up their axes in embarrassment. This kind of talent doesn't come around everyday. And this kid has it all in aces.
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Przemek Draheim, Polish Blues Radio Host, www.blues.pl/draheim
I'm thrilled to find a player so young with so much talent. Alex' guitar playing sounds mature and watching him grow as an artist will be a pleasure. "Nothing To Lose" blends both, classic and modern blues and is an enjoyable listen. A great start for Alex.
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John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network
The Alex Tintinalli Band featuring the newest Blues Guitar Prodigy Alex Tintinalli brings us back to a word not used to often nowadays, and that word is "Wow". In all regards "Nothing To Lose" is simply a blues soaked masterpiece, rich in texture and quality, which leaves those that listen to it simply wanting more of the same.
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Michael Scott Cain, Rambles.Net
When I was 14, I could barely put a vinyl album on a turntable successfully. When Alex Tintinalli was 14, he had been playing professionally for four years, leading a blues band for two and had issued his first CD. It's like Samuel Johnson's comment on the talking dog: it doesn't matter what he says; the fact that he can do it at all is astonishing.
What is even more astonishing is that Tintinalli is an amazing guitar player, a fine singer and a very good blues songwriter. He is a wonderfully talented kid who can't be judged as a kid; he is a professional, playing in a man's game and he holds up to comparison to adult players very well. He can shred on a guitar and is well on his way to mastering many different forms of blues. On this CD, he plays jump blues, Chicago style, ballads, blues-rock -- Tintinalli can do it all. And he's only been playing for four years.
When I played the disc for a guitar playing friend of mine, he listened in amazement and said, "The only way you can get that good that fast is to play for 14 hours a day. I hope he doesn't burn out."
So do I. Tintinalli has a lot of blues in him and I really look forward to his future growth. He has the talent to become legendary.
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Laurel Taylor, Fan
I just saw you on Good Morning Canada. You rock!!! After I send this message to you I will be buying your CD online. It‘s so amazing to see such a young man with such a big talent. We have one of the biggest Harvest Jazz and Blues Festivals here in Fredericton New Brunswick that you should really be a part of. It is every September and they love to showcase new talent. You can bet that myself and all my friends would be there to support you. Keep living your dream.
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Paul Breau, London, Ontario, Fan
“I have witnessed very many talented young guitar players over the years, and most of them were impressive players in their own right, however playing a mean axe is one thing, but wailing, singing, writing and being a good front man are the attributes that get one noticed in the industry and most definitely by the audience and sets them apart from the ‘just another band’ tag….At 15 years of age, Alex performs like a seasoned professional. In the 3+ short years since he started playing guitar, he has taken his love for the blues and turned it into a driving passion that is apparent in his presentation. He orchestrates the actions on stage with his band mates to play to the response of the audience, yet he always appears relaxed when playing which means he’s having fun and that’s what music is supposed to be about.”
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Brenda, Milton, Ontario, Fan
“Alex, I had the privilege of seeing you and your band play at Brando’s on May 26th. I feel as if I spent 3 hours in the presence of greatness. I feel truly blessed to have seen you play and I can hardly wait to experience you and the band again. I bought your CD and I love it. I’ve been telling everyone about you and your band and I look forward to seeing you again, soon.”
