In this section you’ll find the most influencial and productive artists linked to the Ronroco. This is the Hall of Fame of this instrument. From the very famous Gustavo Santaolalla to the graphic designer Marco Turín who seems to be creating amazing music during his spare time, I wanted to share my discoveries and treasures. Thanks to the artists for making such an inspirational and beautiful music.
Gustavo Santaolalla is a genius. Santaolalla received critical acclaim for composing the score to the 2013 action-adventure video game The Last of Us, which was his first experience in the video game industry. In 2020, he returned to compose the music for its sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
In 2015, Santaolalla was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On 20 and 21 September 2019, Eric Clapton invited Santaolalla to participate at his Crossroads event at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. He performed the song “De Ushuaia a la Quiaca” and a version of “Ando Rodando”. He also played in the last song of the event on with Clapton, Gary Clark Jr, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Jimmie Vaughan, James Bay and others.
Santaolalla does not know how to read or write musical notation, nor does he use an orchestra for his soundtracks. He said, “I don’t see myself as a film composer. I see myself as more of an artist that uses different forms to express myself. I love it all.”
Ayün is the name of Marco Turín’s musical project. Originally from Argentina, Marco lives between Switzerland and Indonesia.
The care given by this graphic designer to everything that surrounds his debut album makes it a high quality object. As the name Ronroco Fables suggests, this album is a tribute to the ronroco. But if this is indeed the main instrument that gives substance to the 10 pieces of music, Marco uses many samples and mixes them with field recordings to wrap the pretty arpeggios he composed for the ronroco in a soft, ethnic electro. Listen to Ronroco Fables once or twice and this music will accompany you forever. The only negative point of this album being… that it’s too short ! Let’s hope that Marco will still have inspiration for composing many pieces of music. A huge congratulation ! Listen on Spotify or on Apple Music.
Aukai was born of composer/instrumentalist Markus Sieber’s desire to create music that could work in tandem with film, video, theatre and the visual arts. The compositions also grew out of Sieber’s love affair with the Ronroco, a plucked string instrument from Argentina. “This project has a lot to do with memories and imagination” explains Sieber, “I wanted to create a sonic space where music guides the listener into an inner journey.” Which explains why he came up with the name Aukai in the first place; it’s the Hawaiian word for a seafaring traveler, the sort of person who seeks out the stillness in uncertain waters.
Born in Germany, Markus moved to Mexico and touch with world and indigenous music, awakening a new musical mission.
Moody, evocative and delicately filigreed, Aukai’s pieces are often brief, but haunting. They stay with the listener long after the sounds have faded, like gently melting snow on a sunny hillside. Composer-instrumentalist Markus Sieber and his ensemble weave a beguiling cinematic soundscape.
From BBC scores for Sir David Attenborough films, to composing the music for many critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries, Al Lethbridge has gained a reputation for unique and emotionally charged work.