Alessandro Cortini

Last updated

Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini & His Buchla 200e.jpg
Cortini with his Buchla 200e at the 2009 NAMM Show, in Anaheim, California.
Background information
Born (1976-05-24) 24 May 1976 (age 48)
Bologna, Italy
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • instrument maker
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • guitar
  • bass
Years active1994–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Website sonoio.org

Alessandro Cortini (born 24 May 1976) is an Italian musician best known for his work with the American industrial band Nine Inch Nails. [1] [2] [3] He plays modular synthesizers, [4] [5] keyboards, guitar, and bass guitar.

Contents

Cortini is the first Italian inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, when he was inducted as a member of Nine Inch Nails. [6] [7]

As an instrument maker, Cortini created a patchable analogue synth instrument called Strega through Make Noise.

Early life and education

Cortini was born in Bologna, Italy and raised in Forlì, Italy. Cortini moved from Italy to the United States to study guitar at the Musicians Institute. After graduating, and straying away from the guitar, he decided to focus on keyboards and synths.

Career

Early projects

From 2001 to 2002, Cortini acted as touring guitarist for The Mayfield Four in support of their album Second Skin .

In fall 2006, Cortini contributed to the Musicians Institute's Recording Artist Program by acting as advisor for one-on-one training with students. [8]

He was also a founding member of Modwheelmood, an electronic/alternative band from Los Angeles, with former Abandoned Pools guitarist Pelle Hillström. Together they have released two EPs, ? (2003) and Enemies & Immigrants (2006). In 2007, they released Things Will Change , the companion remix disc for Enemies & Immigrants, and they released the first part of their new album Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 1 on 25 December 2007 exclusively as a digital release.

Nine Inch Nails

While briefly teaching at the Musicians Institute, he saw an ad for open auditions for Nine Inch Nails. [9] Trent Reznor stated that Alessandro Cortini "fit in immediately." [10] Reznor also stated that:

My first thought when Alessandro walked in was that he didn't look like what I had in mind. His presence was intense but gentle, not the "I'm gonna attack you" energy fans might associate with NIN. Then he started, and within 30 seconds I was like "That's the guy!" I never once regretted it. Without taking anything away from Charlie [Clouser], Alessandro is really into playing the studio parts as much as humanly possible. [9]

Cortini performing with Nine Inch Nails in 2007 Alessandro Cortini.jpg
Cortini performing with Nine Inch Nails in 2007

Cortini toured with Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2008, during the band's "Live: With Teeth", "Performance 2007" and "Lights in the Sky over North/South America" tours. His primary role was that of touring keyboard player, although he also played guitar and bass guitar on some songs. Besides touring with the band, Cortini also contributed to the instrumental album Ghosts I–IV (receiving co-writing credits on a number of tracks) and the 2008 album The Slip . A Modwheelmood remix of "The Great Destroyer" was also released on the Year Zero remix album Year Zero Remixed , and Cortini features in the live DVD Beside You in Time , as well as the music videos for The Hand That Feeds and Survivalism . He left the band at the end of 2008, citing a desire to pursue other projects.

In March 2017, Nine Inch Nails' official Twitter account announced Cortini would be part of the 2017 summer performance lineup, [11] during which his primary instrument was bass.

When Nine Inch Nails was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, Cortini became the first Italian inducted, as a member of the band. [12]

How to Destroy Angels

Cortini joined How To Destroy Angels, a project consisting of Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Rob Sheridan and Mariqueen Maandig, as a touring member. He performs multiple instruments onstage and in addition remixed under his SONOIO moniker their single "The Spaces In-Between", which was used as the show finale for the majority of the tour. In 2013, Cortini returned to Nine Inch Nails as their touring member, and co-wrote the opening track of Hesitation Marks with Trent Reznor.

Solo works

In 2009, he completed a small Canadian tour under a solo project moniker, named blindoldfreak. [13]

Cortini is also the frontman for the Los Angeles–based electronic-alternative band SONOIO, formed in summer 2010. The band name SONOIO comes from the Italian phrase "sono io", which means "it's me", as it is a solo project consisting solely of Alessandro Cortini. In July 2010 SONOIO released the album SONOIO Blue which was followed up by a remix album in December 2010, NON SONOIO. In June 2011, SONOIO released the album, SONOIO Red.

As of 2019, Cortini has released albums through Mute Records, [14] "Volume Massimo" in 2019, [15] [16] [17] "Scuro Chiaro" in 2021. [18] [19]

Collaborations with other artists

Alessandro Cortini worked with Ladytron in the production of two of their albums, Velocifero (2008) and Gravity the Seducer (2011). He also co-produced the second track, "We Are the Sea", from the debut album Crystal World (2013) of Ladytron's main singer, Marnie.

In 2009, he filled in for Morgan Nicholls (touring member of Muse) while Nicholls took a leave of absence to be with his newborn son.

In 2010, he contributed electronic production to a song called "Birds of Prey" by pop artist Christina Aguilera, produced by Ladytron. The song is featured on the deluxe edition of her fourth studio album Bionic .

Cortini released a collaborative album called "Illusion of Time" with Daniel Avery in March 2020. [20] [21]

Instruments

In 2021, Cortini released a patchable analog synth called Strega, [22] Italian for “witch,” an instrument he created in collaboration with Make Noise.

Discography

As himself
SONOIO
Blindoldfreak
Modwheelmood
With Nine Inch Nails
With Jovanotti
With Ladytron
With Marnie
With Yoav
With The Mayfield Four
With Puscifer
With Lawrence English
With Alain Johannes and Norm Block
With Daniel Avery

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails</span> American industrial rock band

Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN, stylized as NIИ, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Its members are the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Trent Reznor and his frequent collaborator, Atticus Ross. Reznor was previously the only permanent member of the band until Ross was officialized in 2016. The band's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine (1989), was released via TVT Records. After disagreeing with TVT about how to promote the album, the band signed with Interscope Records and released the EP Broken (1992). The following albums, The Downward Spiral (1994) and The Fragile (1999), were released to critical acclaim and commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Reznor</span> American musician (born 1965)

Michael Trent Reznor is an American musician. He came to prominence as the founder, lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and primary songwriter of the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. The band's line-up has constantly changed, with Reznor being its only official member from its creation in 1988 until 2016, when he added English musician and frequent collaborator Atticus Ross as its second permanent member.

<i>With Teeth</i> 2005 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

With Teeth is the fourth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Nothing Records and Interscope Records on May 3, 2005. The album was produced by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It also features contributions from musician Dave Grohl and future band member Atticus Ross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telefon Tel Aviv</span> American electronic music project

Telefon Tel Aviv is an American electronic music act formed in 1999 by musicians Charles Cooper and Joshua Eustis. Since Cooper's accidental death in 2009, Telefon Tel Aviv has continued with Eustis as the sole official member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron North</span> American musician

Aaron Wright North is an American musician. He was the co-founder and guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, a touring lead guitarist of industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails, and vocalist/guitarist for Jubilee. North is noted for his chaotic and unconventional guitar approach, his use and command of feedback, and the flailing of his guitar wildly while on stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails live performances</span> Live performances by the band Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails, an American industrial rock band fronted by Trent Reznor, has toured all over the world since its creation in 1988. While Reznor—the only official member until adding Atticus Ross in 2016—controls its creative and musical direction in the studio, the touring band performs different arrangements of the songs. In addition to regular concerts, the band has performed in both supporting and headlining roles at festivals such as Woodstock '94, Lollapalooza 1991 and 2008, and many other one-off performances including the MTV Video Music Awards. Prior to their 2013 tour, the band had played 938 gigs.

<i>Year Zero</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Year Zero is the fifth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Interscope Records on April 17, 2007. Conceived while touring in support of the band's previous album, With Teeth (2005), the album was recorded in late 2006. It was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and was the band's first studio album since 1994's The Downward Spiral that was not co-produced by long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It was the band's last album for Interscope, following Reznor's departure the same year due to a dispute regarding overseas pricing.

<i>Year Zero Remixed</i> 2007 remix album by Nine Inch Nails

Year Zero Remixed is the third remix album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released in the United States on November 20, 2007, and in the United Kingdom six days later. It features remixed versions of tracks from the band's previous studio album Year Zero, created by various producers and recording artists.

Modwheelmood is an American electronic/alternative pop band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998 by Alessandro Cortini (who is also part of the Nine Inch Nails concert lineup and former Abandoned Pools guitarist Pelle Hillström.

<i>Ghosts I–IV</i> 2008 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Ghosts I–IV is the sixth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by The Null Corporation on March 2, 2008. It was the band's first independent release following their split from longtime label Interscope Records in 2007. The production team included Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, studio collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder, and contributions from Alessandro Cortini, Adrian Belew, and Brian Viglione.

<i>The Slip</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

The Slip is the seventh studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on May 5, 2008, digitally on the Nine Inch Nails website, and on CD on July 22 by The Null Corporation. It was their second release in 2008, following their sixth album Ghosts I–IV, released two months prior. The album was produced by frontman Trent Reznor with collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Performance 2007 Tour</span> 2007 concert tour by Nine Inch Nails

Two months before the release of their fifth full-length album, Year Zero, industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails began a new tour, officially called Performance 2007. The tour initially started off as a 'best-of' tour but later transformed into a direct Year Zero support tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SONOIO</span> American musical project

Sonoio is a solo project of Italian musician Alessandro Cortini, best known as the keyboardist for Nine Inch Nails' touring lineup and as a member of Modwheelmood. The name of the alternative rock/electronic project comes from the Italian phrase "sono io", which means "I am".

<i>Another Version of the Truth</i> 2009 video by Nine Inch Nails

Another Version of the Truth was an independently released live concert video documenting Nine Inch Nails' 2008 Lights in the Sky tour made available throughout late 2009/early 2010 on Blu-ray, DVD, and various other online formats. Another Version of the Truth is also the title of an instrumental track on Nine Inch Nails' 2007 album Year zero. The video is a 3-disc set bringing together numerous editors, designers, and web programmers to create a professional digital film, followed by a physical release created "by fans for fans".

The Twenty Thirteen Tour was a concert tour by industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails to support the album Hesitation Marks. It marked the return of the band for live performances after a four-year touring hiatus. It began on July 26, 2013, and ended on August 30, 2014.

<i>Hesitation Marks</i> 2013 album by Nine Inch Nails

Hesitation Marks is the eighth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on August 30, 2013, by The Null Corporation and distributed by Columbia Records in the United States and Polydor Records elsewhere. It was the band's first release in five years, following The Slip (2008), as well as their only release on Columbia. Like previous albums, the album was produced by frontman Trent Reznor alongside longtime collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. To date, this is the most recent Nine Inch Nails album to be co-produced by Moulder.

<i>Live 2013 EP</i> 2013 EP by Nine Inch Nails

Live 2013 EP is the third extended play (EP) by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released on September 10, 2013, exclusively on Spotify.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Eustis</span> Musical artist

Joshua Leeds Eustis is an American musician, singer-songwriter and record producer, best known as the current sole member of electronic music act, Telefon Tel Aviv, since the death of bandmate Charles Cooper in 2009. He served as a touring member for industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails in 2013 and has collaborated heavily over the years with Maynard James Keenan's solo project Puscifer, for which he also served as a touring member. Eustis' solo project is Sons of Magdalene, of which he began releasing music under in 2008. He is also a founding member of the band The Black Queen.

References

  1. ↑ Patrick Doyle (25 February 2013). "Trent Reznor Confirms New Nine Inch Nails Lineup, Tour". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails 2017 summer show announcements". Nme.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails confirm 2017 touring lineup". Consequenceofsound.net. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Philip Sherburne (21 April 2021). "How Alessandro Cortini Distilled His Haunting Aesthetic Into an Unconventional Synthesizer". Pitchfork . Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Alessandro Cortini on Falling in Love with Synthesizers". Red Bull Music Academy . March 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Class of 2020 Inductees | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Katherine Turman (3 September 2020). "Six Additional Nine Inch Nails Members to Be Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Spin . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "Musicians Institute Announces Four New Project Advisors" Archived 17 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine -Modern Guitars. Retrieved on 13–2 October, 007.
  9. 1 2 "From Italy to Rock Stardom". Times Square. 2 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  10. ↑ Reznor, Trent (22 January 2005). "access". Nine Inch Nails. Archived from the original on 4 March 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
  11. ↑ "Nine Inch Nails 2017 live lineup tweet". Twitter.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  12. ↑ Sofia Nardi (11 November 2020). "Alessandro Cortini, the first Italian in the rock Hall of Fame Alessandro Cortini primo italiano nella Hall of Fame del rock". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "blindoldfreak dates-updated". Blindoldfreak.com. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Mute Records • Artists • Alessandro Cortini". Mute.com. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Alessandro Cortini – In The Studio". Fact Mag. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "The Quietus | Reviews | Alessandro Cortini". The Quietus . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  17. ↑ All Music (25 October 2019). "Volume Massimo Review by Paul Simpson". All Music . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Brian Howe (10 June 2021). "Alessandro Cortini: SCURO CHIARO Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  19. ↑ Christian Eedee (10 March 2021). "Alessandro Cortini To Release New Album, 'SCURO CHIARO'w". The Quietus . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  20. ↑ Allison Hussey (20 January 2020). "Daniel Avery Teams With Alessandro Cortini for New Album Illusion of Time". Pitchfork . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  21. ↑ Selim Bulut (26 March 2020). "Dazed Mix: Daniel Avery & Alessandro Cortini". Dazed . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Terrence O'Brien (1 June 2021). "Alessandro Cortini on designing a new instrument, the Strega". Engadget . Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  23. ↑ Leitko, Aaron. "Alessandro Cortini: Risveglio | Album Reviews". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Alessandro Cortini to release new album Avanti". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  25. ↑ Richardson, Jordan (22 October 2011). "Music Review: Puscifer - Conditions of My Parole". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.