What is your name?
Matteo Crugnola

also known as Kalibe

What is your genre of music?
World music

Give us a little bio about you.
Born in Domodossola (Italy) in 1977, Matteo begins to study piano at the age of 13
with the teacher Lilia Lani. After a couple of years he starts to play electric guitar
and joins various local bands (Faithless, Prysma, High Levels), performing in
several venues in the north of Italy.
Between 1997 and 2001 he attends the Accademia di Musica e Perfezionamento
Musicale Città di Castellanza, studying guitar with M° Antonio Gavassino and
Harmony & Composing with M° Marco Colombo. In 2001 he graduates in Economy
at LIUC University, and the following year releases his first CD “Memory bag”.
In 2003 Matteo moves to the UK, where he also studied at the Stevenson College
of Edinburgh (Scotland) obtaining an AH Diploma in Music, and playing in many
venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Afterwards he studies flamenco guitar with Spanish Maestro Paco Cortes, then
fingerstyle guitar with Walter Lupi and the Canadian Champion Don Ross; in 2005
Matteo joins two Scottish Music Agencies, Elite Promotions and CMA, where he
worked playing in events, weddings and concerts until end of 2008.
In 2009 he attends a “Curso de Verao” in Brasilia, studying harmony with Ian Guest
and Brazilian guitar with Marcus Tardelli and playing in a few bar and venus of
Brasilia.
In 2010 is released the CD “Espiro”, an instrumental album of original music
focused on fingerstyle guitar which got very good reviews around Europe. In 2011,
following his passion for world music, he travels to Burkina Faso together with
Ermanno Panta, and there has been recorded the album “Kalibé”, a bridge
between different cultures where traditional instruments and voices are blended
with fingerstyle guitar and a modern approach to music.
In 2012, together with other 11 people, Matteo creats the world music&dance
company Garnatanguè and the show “De suenos a horizontes”, an amazing
journey through the culture of 12 different countries. The same year he wins the first
prize at the “New sounds for acoustic music”, the most important guitar contest in
Italy, and starts a collaboration with the actress Polona Prosen
In 2013 is released the CD “Indaba – one guitar for 3 singers and a poet”, and
Matteo begins writing a regular column for “Fingerstyle 360°” (an american
magazine sold all over the world), and performs (solo or with various projects) in
several Festival all around Europe, as: Acoustic International Guitar Meeting,
Lubiana Theatre Festival (Slovenia), Spoffin Festival (Netherlands), Un paese a sei
corde (Italy), Spirit of Woodstock festival, etc
 

What made you go in to music?

The first time I saw on TV John Lennon Playing “Imagine” I was hypnotized and felt that writing songs was what I really wanted to do
 

Are you a signed?

No
 

You have ‘Tudo Gira’ released, tell us more about it.

Tudo Gira is a song India Mae da Lua and me have been playing together for many years, maybe the first one we shared. So after all these years it’s been great for me to make a new arrangement and give it a new shape, adding so many nice instruments. The message of this song is very easy, but as for many zen stories the truth and power of this message transcend its simplicity. Everything moves and turns … as the moon with its cyclical phases
 

What was the writing process like?

Well, writing a song is often a moment of pure inspiration, a quick intuition, a flash passing through the mind. That’s the seed. The creation. Then there is a more artesanal and long process: arranging. That’s about working the soil to make out of a seed a beautiful garden.

What was the recording process like?

In different steps: at first I made a simple guitar reference track. This gives the tonality (key) and the rhythm. Over this song India recorded her voice (and sometimes flute or other sounds). Then the second stage was in my home studio where I made the general arrangement and editing process. Then it was time to record the people who collaborated!

Who did you show first?

Close friends
 

Do you have any gigs or tours coming up?

no
 

Do you play any instruments?

yes
 

Who are your influences?

Many, from classical music to jazz to world music
 

How do you get inspiration to write songs?

Every time is different!
 

Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?

I hope in a nice and sunny place, with a big smile on my face!
 

When you’re not doing music, what do you do?

Gardening, working, walking up and down mountains, sports, reading, watching movies …
 

Would you be up for collaborating with new artists/bands , if so how could they contact you?

Sure, through my website matteocrugnola.com or kalibemusic.com
 

What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?

Quite a few ones from Imagine to November Rain, Metallica to Mississipi blues, many songwriters …

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?

Be original, find your own voice
 

What quote or saying do you always stick by?

Life is a bit more then an eyeblick, enjoy it!
 

Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?

Mountains around
 

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?

Depends on the gig
 

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?

yes

all can be found at my website