Mike Rossetto (banjo/guitar) Nick Lemme (mandolin) Ethan Sutton (cello) Paul Fonfara (clarinet)
Photos by Dan Corrigan, 2007
Influences
American and European String music, Bela Fleck, Tin Hat Trio, Edgar Meyer, Tony Rice, Joshua Bell, Turtle Island String Quartet, Alison Brown, Claude D., Straight Story Soundtrack, Jon Brion, Phillip Glass, St. Paul, Mark O'Connor, Mpls, Arvo P., Tom Waits, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Noise, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Frisell, Rachels, old tyme, hollars, rags, spirituals, B3 organs, Strohl violins, darol anger, tremelo pedals, harmoniums, everything really.
Sounds Like
Avant-classical/Amero-European string music - very melodic, hard driving at times and soft as a lullaby as well.
Spaghetti Western String Co., is an instrumental acoustic quartet from Minneapolis, MN that began it's career in the winter of 2003. Their cinematic style music is fit for film scores and at times both bittersweet and chaotic. They are two-time recipients of Minnesota Music Awards in 2005 and 2006 for 'Eclectic Artist of the Year.'
They have performed on such stages as the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, the Southern Theater and numerous times at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.
Michael Rossetto - banjo/guitar
Nicholas Lemme - mandolin/guitar/voice
Ethan Sutton - cello
Paul Fonfara - clarinet
2004
The quartet's 2004 release was a one-man record written by Rossetto entitled 'Do Right By People.' Recorded by Dave Andersen at Minor7 Studios, the record merged analog electronic sounds with pure acoustic instrumentation. 'Do Right' featured the violin of Denise Guelker, the mandolin of Nicholas Lemme as well as a host of Twin Cities musicians including Travis Even who performed percussion and melodica with the group live. 'Do Right By People' was named one of the Star Tribune's top 20 records of the year and City Pages named it in their top 10 of the year.
2005-2006
In 2005, Ethan Sutton joined on as cellist and the group recorded the, 'Quiet Mob ep' in Third Ear Studios with Zack Rose and Dave Andersen. This five-song release featured daring acoustic compositions including a sullen arrangement of ‘Luna Marinara,’ a traditional Italian folk-song. During this time the SWSCo. wrote two film scores, one for the 1934 epic, ‘Grass,’ and the second for the 1956 French Classic, ‘The Red Balloon.’ The scores were performed live with the films at the Square Lake Film/Music Festival in Stillwater, MN, the Greenman Festival in Duluth and the International Film Festival in the Twin Cities. In 2006, the String Co. collaborated with the ‘Live Action Set,’ a Minneapolis dance troupe, for a performance entitled ‘The Percussionist,’ (Walker Art Center: Momentum Dance Series) The weekend of performances took place at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis and merged live music, dance and theater.
2007-present
In 2007, Paul Fonfara joined on as clarinetist taking over for Denise Guelker. During that year the quartet wrote and recorded 'Lull and Clatter,' at Wild Sound Studios in Minneapolis with Matt Zimmerman at the controls. The recorded works are their most daring collection of compositions to date. A host of 17 local musicians performed on the record covering everything from Woodwinds, Hurdy-Gurdy, and Vibes, to drums, fiddle, and an 8 voice choir. Although largely instrumental, the record features two vocal songs - a dark take on 'Wayfaring Stranger' as well as an arrangement of 'Die Leiermann,' a Franz Schubert composition. Lull and Clatter saw it's release at the Cedar Cultural Center on February 9th, 2008 to an almost sold out crowd of over 400 patrons who all braved the -40+ degree temperatures.
Currently the SWSCo. is touring in support of 'Lull and Clatter,' and beginning work on their third film score.
2004 - Nominated for Minnesota Music Award - 'Eclectic Group' category,
'Do Right By People' - top 10 records of Minnesota in 2004 by City Pages, and in the top 20 records of the year by Star Tribune Number 15 on Radio K's Top 77 records of 2004.
2005 - Recipient of a Minnesota Music Award - 'Eclectic Group/Artist'
'Quiet Mob Ep' - number 58 on Radio K's Top 77 records of 2005.
2006 - Recipient of a Minnesota Music Award - 'Eclectic Group' category
Hey, Im posting new videos today! and if you are in Texas, come on out to Six Flags (san Antonio) Friday where I'll be performing with Drake Bell (of Nickelodeon's Josh and Drake) and Saturday with Drake in Six Flags Dallas. Sunday I will be at Jo's on Congress in Austin! Hope to see some of yall out this weekend! And TUESDAY July 14, the band will be filming a performance for the tv show at SAXON PUB! Be in the audience for the tv show 4:30 to 6!!!!!!!! Ruby Jane
Great show at the Kitty Kat, 'twas a real treat to share the stage... that sounds like twitter talk if you say it fast... Are we still on for 5/8 in Madison?
Great sounds. I really enjoy your music. Mike, is that an all mahogany Larrivee parlor you're playing in some of those pictures? I used to have one too...never should have sold it.
Mike Rossetto (banjo/guitar)
Nick Lemme (mandolin)
Ethan Sutton (cello)
Paul Fonfara (clarinet)
Photos by Dan Corrigan, 2007
Online Now!
