Phoenix Maunton

About me

I'm an 18 year old guitarist, part-time screamo, born and studying in Exeter. I study at Exeter College, on the UAL Music Performance Course. I have had always had admiration for music - particularly with guitar from a very young age - only keeping to basic chord progressions and singing, however it wasn't until COVID where I had found myself at my worst state both mentally and physically, this is where I had found the guitarist Buckethead, whereby I found myself emotionally intertwined with the art of music and voicing myself through playing guitar - devoting everything to my passion. I found myself playing for entire days, nights without sleeping - pushing myself further and further - it brought me an unbound safety, comfort that I am forever grateful for.

I have experience with briefly-formed bands and collaborations with friends, and local artists - however have spent a lot of time producing and recording my own multi-instrumental tracks using Logic Pro X - I adore writing music as it allows me to voice myself sincerely to others where I hope for my music to reach them as it did with me.

Inspirations

My favourite guitarist is Buckethead, who has established an immense importance into my life. Other inspirations in my playing are guitarists such as: Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and Shawn Lane in the early 90s. Modern influences are: Mateus Asato, Jason Richardson, Plini, Ichika Nito, Yo Onityan, Tim Henson, John Mayer and as of recently Damián Antón Ojeda - particularly with his multi-instrumental crafting of his music.

This can be seen in my playing style - I've chosen to learn as many genres and experimental playing styles as I can to expand creativity. However the main foundation of my playing is very melodical and technical - inspired by that 'virtuoso' sound, in rapid melodic phrases and vocalisation. Using all forms of picking, fingerpicking, multi-finger tapping and techniques such as string skipping, legato and sweep-picking.

In genres which have a lot of 'scream' vocals with less emphasis, my inspirations are Dethtech, Chino Moreno, Onielar, Matthew Tuck, Reclaim The Fallen, Paolo Bruno, Blade and Bath, Kanashimi.

Singers would include: Zeruel, Dethtech, Chino Moreno and Jeremy Enigk.

Solo Performances

MVI_2239.mp4

Kyouran Hey Kids!!

(The Oral Cigarettes): For my first solo I had

performed a Jrock song - where I transcribed my own sections, to add more flavour and dynamics to the guitar composition whilst still keeping the original foundation key.

This performance I chose as I'd be less comfortable performing it - being a rhythm driven song; having a slight funk-esque vibe, with parts having bass slapping applied to my guitar, and the sections I had written having things such as rapid finger-picking etc.

MVI_2359.mp4

Aviator (solo) (main performance)

(Polyphia, ft Jason Richardson): For my second solo I had performed the entirety of the solo performed by modern day virtuoso Jason Richardson of All That Remains, aswell as the chorus melody performed by virtuoso Tim Henson, of Polyphia. The entirety of the solo was copied however performed at an irregular pace due to trying to remember each individual note, pausing at time, learnt within a 2 week time frame along with coursework etc. This showcased my technical proficiency and is the highlight performance, having a hardtailed guitar I chose to add extra melodies to the intro and end for my own flare :)

Live Performances

Exeter college TV studio live session (first year)

Up and coming music (Some screams)

Screamy

(Just bass, drums, some screams)...Need to add vocals, guitar and finish mixing...