MATHIAS FINAL edited (PDF)

Mathias Duplessy (www.mathiasduplessy.com)

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Mathias Duplessy is the crass but lovable hero we all love to
root for, a cross between Geronimo and John Wayne, a
troubadour, a gypsy, a modern day shamanic cowboy who
seeks out kindred musical souls from the far reaches of the
earth to collaborate with to create music that defies borders,
nationalities, colors and religions.

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Trained by his master Okna Zam tzaham in the exotic
Mongolian art of throat singing, Duplessy’s live performances
are a revelation as he sings in 2 voices, low and high melodies
simultaneously. He is a formidable exponent of the Mongolian
Horse-head fiddle, the national instrument of Mongolia.
Duplessy is also a master of flamenco - he wields the classical
guitar like an extension of his body; his movements are
unorthodox yet fluid. He plays his guitar like its his last time every night.

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Crazy Horse, the first single off the album of the same
name, is an ode to the Native American chief and a
nod to Ennio Morricone. An oddity that works, a sort
of American cousin to a Mongolian ‘reel’, Crazy
Horse is a wild ride that carries the listener towards a
state of Shamanic bliss. With the Violins of the World
Duplessy has gathered together a motley crew of
musical misfits to do just that - Horse-fiddle player
Enkhjargal Dandarvaanchig from the Steppes of
Mongolia, Erhu player Guo Gan from the cultural
expanse that is China and fellow frenchman
Nickelharpist Aliocha Regnard.

As a young musician Mathias had dreamed of working with Senegalese artist Ameth Maal; he
realized this with his first major release with his idol a few years later. He subsequently found
himself in bustling Bombay where he composed songs inspired by the
chanting of African griots. The doors of Bollywood opened up to him
resulting in musical collaborations with the greats of Indian cinema such
as Aamir Khan and Irrfan Khan resulting in 2 coveted Filmfare awards.
Duplessy has toured India with children from the slums of Mumbai in
tow, and with the India’s national treasure, Sufi singer Ali Muktiyar.

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The notion of ‘life-communion’, with its origins derived from the druids
of Celtic Gaul, resonates through his some of his albums. His childhood
musical influences Naná Vasconcelos, Serge Gainsbourg, Mark
Knopfler, Eric Clapton and Ravel served to build his eclectic musical
vocabulary and his taste for raw, gritty yet impeccably performed music.

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After decades of traversing the earth collaborating and performing with world class musicians and
with hundreds of international film scoring credits behind him there can be only one thing that can
be said about the man. Mathias Duplessy is the real deal.