When William Barton and Anthony Garcia first performed live on ABC Radio in 2009 a unique synergy was ignited that has led to the emergence of one of Australia’s most respected ensemble collaborations. The pulsating rhythms and ethereal textures of the didgeridoo blend with the soaring melodies and lush harmonies the guitar to create a new Australian soundscape that holds no boundaries. The BG Sound Project has since performed throughout Australia in festivals and concerts to critical acclaimed. “A brilliant fusion of ancient and contemporary sounds from two modern masters! William Barton and Anthony Garcia’s collaboration is a match made in heaven… this musical meeting of two soulful musicians was an enthralling experience. The relaxed presentation and the humour was a counterpoint to the intense, at times, mystical experience of the music itself. William Barton channels the ancient, primal music of his people and Anthony Garcia is symbiotically attuned to this, creating his own complementary and powerful guitar sounds.” Phil Brown (Senior writer, Queensland Newspapers).
The ensemble’s acclaimed CD, Desert Stars Dancing, was recorded over a weekend at Brisbane’s Studio 180 in 2010. The subtitle – Eclectic Sound Scapes for Didgeridoo and Guitar – reflects the colour and diversity of this body of work with both artists freely exploring the possibilities of their instruments to the fullest. By experimenting with a synthesis of composition, improvisation and digital processing, this CD manages to combine the didgeridoo and guitar in a range of distinct settings reflecting the artists capacity to play, twist and turn genres inside out. The ensemble achieved throughout the recording is testament to the artist’s creative and emotional connection. In White Notes Between Heaven and Earth, a largely improvised work originally commissioned for the Maleny Autumn Music Festival, the classical guitar and didgeridoo weave together as one with Barton spontaneously adding a vocal cadenza to close the work.
In the lead up to a memorable recital at the Sydney Opera House in 2013, ABC Sydney radio presenter, James Valentine, upon hearing the ensemble for the first time exclaimed, “this is reconciliation”. [Listen to Inside Sleeve Interview] The music of Barton and Garcia represents a powerful synthesis of culture, tradition and innovation that continues to moves audiences. “Even by the high standard of Tyalgum Festival events, last Sunday’s performance at Tweed River Art Gallery was exceptional. Guitarist Anthony Garcia and didgeridoo player William Barton are both virtuosi, but when they team up they have a musical chemistry of a rare kind – a generous meeting of two great cultures…a sound emanating from the depth of the human soul.” Judith White (Tyalgum Classical Music Festival)
