Barely 2 Much
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Barely 2 Much

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"B2M DELIVERS"

BARELY2MUCH DELIVERS POINTED SOCIAL COMMENTARY,
WORLD ACTION ROCK ON NEW RELEASE, GUAPOLINDA


In their new release, Guapolinda, Barely2Much pushes the convergence of rock and social commentary and action to a startling new level. More than a rock group with an international flavor, Barely2Much also performs as a hybrid music and visual arts collective, a movement and the reflection of one man’s passion.

Creator, front man and co-founder Michael Guapolinda S., the self-described “activist, convictionist, and no-jive-ist” (also harmonica and vocals) isn’t content to merely sing about the ravaged tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. He and the band, and an entire collective he created in 1989, live and work in a formerly clear-cut corner of Costa Rica reforesting and enriching habitat, and constantly recharging their capacity to create what Guapolinda calls “world action rock.”

The album’s global perspective is hewn from an intensely local experience. “The insane cattle ranching practices and logging had created tremendous loss of animal habitat on the peninsula,” he says. “It supports the North American fast food industry, but has devastated this region.”

Guapolinda and his bandmates create a lush soundscape evocative of the melodic complexity of Pink Floyd and the innovative phrasing of Peter Gabriel, while delivering “bundles of points.” Guapolinda S. weaves hard-hitting messages into tracks like “More Michael Moore” and “Bushwhacker” into pure, clean environmental/political/social-themed dance music. This CD is filled with energy and conviction as alive as the increasingly verdant surroundings of the community.

Guapolinda S. has a simple, powerful goal for the collaborative’s music. “We want to bring new energy and perspectives to the group,” he says, “and we’re planning to tour Costa Rica from Fall ‘05 through Spring ‘06. From there, Europe for Summer ’06 and possibly the US in Fall ‘06.

“We are creating and performing during a dynamic period in the music industry “ he adds. “There are no musical rules or genre rigidity. With a meaningful social and environmental musical themes, and a willingness to move, dance, and party, I believe we will carve a greater and greater niche in the protest /social music rock world.”

Barely2Much’s latest release, Guapolinda, is available on www.cdbaby.com. To request an interview with Michael Guapolina S., please contact Rainmaker Public Relations.

- R. Kelley / RAINMAKER PRODUCTIONS


Discography

ALBUM: GUAPOLINDA
1. Magazine Paradise
2. Cobano
3. Eco-Town
4. More Michael Moore
5. Bushwacker
6. Happy Hour
7. 400 Billion
8. Guapolinda
9. Time and Place
10. Minnesota Nights
11. Media Movers
12. Swell
13. What Happened To Hippies? ...

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Bio

BIOGRAPHY: Barely2Much

Musicians who weave social and environmental commentary into their lyrics are fairly easy to find.

On the other hand, it is quite difficult to find a musician that believes in their message so fervently it becomes an extension of their life’s work and makes it impossible to separate the artist from the art and the issue from the life.

So, to fully appreciate the story and musical journey of Michael Guapolinda . One must consider the stark reality of commercial practices ravaging the environment in a small corner of the world.

This self-described “activist, convictionist, and no-jive-ist” (and harmonica player) is part of a music and visual arts collective working to reverse the ravages of clear-cutting in the Tropical Dry forest on a remote peninsula in Costa Rica.

“The insane cattle ranching practices and logging had created tremendous loss of animal habitat on the peninsula,” he says. “It supports the North American fast food industry, but has devastated this region.”

He cites eclectic musical influences ranging from Fats Domino and Little Richard to Tom Petty and Tool. And, while he quips that the inspiration for his music crawls through their screened windows in the jungle, it is clear that he is one of very few musical artists in the world who so profoundly live the experiences that shape their art.

“What influences my music is my past and present life and the lives and conditions of others,” he notes. “Our life and its edge give us inspiration.”

In their new CD, Guapolinda, Barely2Much is true to its international origins. Guapolinda is joined by Wales’ David Paradise (mandolin, acoustic, slide guitar); Minnezuma’s Punky Wheaton (vocals, dance, synthesizer); Costa Rica’s Maria Pretiz (vocals), Sergio Pacheco (bass, formerly of Gatos Callajeros), and Pipo Chavez (percussion, drums, and CD co-producer); and Patrick Skidd (acoustic/electric guitar, vocals) of Canada.

The group creates a lush soundscape evocative of the melodic complexity of Pink Floyd and the innovative phrasing of Peter Gabiel, while delivering “bundles of points.” Guapolinda S. weaves hard-hitting messages into tracks like “More Michael Moore” and “Bushwhacker” in a context that is pure, clean environmental/political/social-themed dance music. It is a CD filled with energy and conviction that’s as alive as the increasingly verdant surroundings of this group’s world and its village.

The group is creating and performing during a “dynamic” period in the music industry, according to Guapolinda , who adds, “There are no musical rules or genre rigidity. With meaningful social and environmental musical themes, and a willingness to move, dance, and party, I believe we will carve a greater and greater niche in the protest social music rock world.”