Gints Smukais

His first encounter with the guitar was in late 2008. Since then, he taught himself to play and explored percussive fingerstyle and composing since 2011, playing solo shows (with his music) and collaborating together with various well known Latvian musicians, pop-artists, pop-legends and choirs, playing in various Latvian national media and television platforms since 2013. Aswell as stepping up to international stages with solo performances (Winter NAMMshow 2018, Anaheim, California)

_MG_9243

MEDIA:
“Gints Smukais with his performance captivated both the previous round of the show's jury and the final jury, which was composed of professionals who are familiar with the show business scene and backstage life.” – kasjauns.lv

“It does not happen often to see artists who are so united with their instruments” Jolanta Gulbe-Paškeviča – kasjauns.lv

“In the making and recording of this song, the joung and talented guitarist Gints Smukais took part as well, who already, with his virtuoso self-taught way, bewitched many listeners in Latvia.” Augusts Akmenkalns – gitarspele.lv

“He can play all of it on his guitar – inly, true and unique.” Anete Kluce – e-klase.lv

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Canadian Guitar Festival Fingerstyle Contest 2017: 2ND PLACE

Fingerstyle Collective Guitar Festival Intl` Fingerstyle Guitar Contest 2019: 3RD PLACE

International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship 2019: 3RD PLACE

In year 2018, Gints published his debut album “Flourish”, which got a nomination “Debut Album 2018” in Latvian Annual Music awards 2019.

Every year since 2014 he takes part in Latvia’s biggest and most known guitarist camps and workshops as a lecturer, demonstrating guitar fingerstyle and percussive fingerstyle.

The main influence and inspiration for the first 3 years of playing guitar came from a rock band from Canada named „Billy Talent”. The next big inspiration, that led him to compose and play in percussive fingerstyle, was the American guitarist and composer Kaki King, from which he discovered even more guitarists / composers, from whom he could scoop some more inspiration, such as - Andy McKee, Antoine Dufour, Jon Gomm, Trevor Gordon Hall, and, of course, Michael Hedges.

His goal is to raise awareness of the true beauty of instrumental music, and to unite and interconnect with his music as many people as possible, and, while doing that, to experience the joy of true expression and creation.

LINKS TO MUSIC:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYgrpbN82iI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2iP_PUupYQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b4I63pqLQQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=otPy0znVn9w

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSsQx4LnODg

SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/gints.smukais instagram.com/gintssmukais soundcloud.com/gints-smukais

FOR BUSINESS, BOOKING AND/OR PRESS INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: Gints.Smukais@gmail.com