For Tristan Gianola there is always an impulse to create, and a feeling of joy in getting their hands dirty in the process. With the world rapidly changing as we tiptoe further into the 21st century, Gianola finds a sense of grounding and stillness in the creation of music and a way to process the chaos of modern times.
As a musician Gianola studied classical composition and conducting at Cornish College of the Arts in their hometown of Seattle, WA (where they founded the Cornish Contemporary Ensemble), only to be thrust into the music industry as a guitarist in a multitude of projects, including a steady presence in the experimental jazz scene of Seattle under the mentorship of composer Wayne Horvitz. Described as “flagrantly virtuosic” (Dave Segal, The Stranger), Gianola’s guitar vocabulary has become integral in their approach to their projects regardless of what style, most notably the regular use of electric guitar in classically-inspired chamber music.
Their own work as a composer and arranger continued throughout the Seattle years, informed by their developing skills in audio engineering, music engraving, professional transcription, venue managing and continuous exposure to an eclectic music scene. As a composer, Gianola’s sonic template can range from the gentle and serene to the angular and abrasive, while maintaining a sound that shimmers, sparkles and beckons an introspective state of stillness. They are known for addressing socio-political issues of modern times, with Offbeat Magazine stating their music “highlights the socially conscious nature of Gianola’s work, as he uses his talent and platform to raise awareness and support for important causes”.
Their work has been inspired by the sounds of the great classical composers of the 20th century, improvised music, the Scandinavian jazz scene, experimental pop producers, ambient solo guitarists, classical guitar and much, much more. Most of all, Gianola’s music stems from an experimental mind driven by meticulous standards, DIY attitude and a distaste for cliches.
Gianola relocated to New Orleans, LA in 2016 where they developed new original projects such as Guitar is Dead, Pink Lion, Tree Stars, Impossible Planets and Häxan. Alongside their projects Gianola has left a vast trail of one-off musical ventures behind them, from large arrangements of artists such as Portisthead and Angelo Badalementi, to maintaining a busy collaborative schedule working with different artists in New Orleans as a guitarist. Since 2020 Gianola has released several full length albums with Lantern Light Records and in 2022 premiered their theatrical chamber piece Millennial Sunset, a 13 movement work for amplified string quartet, narrator and electric guitar addressing the existential depression surrounding climate change (as part of Seattle’s Nonsequiter program of the Wayward Music Series).
