Biography
San Francisco-based Americana artist is a self-taught
guitar virtuoso and skilled songwriter. In addition to
complex finger-picking styles akin to Leo Kottke and
Paul Simon , Volpe's lyrics are nothing short of poetry.
Witness an excerpt from "1849 Revisited": "For all
along the river banks there lives/A residue collected in
the weeds/It smells of tasteless regret: a faint glimpse/Of
hearts that sold the life they own to lease". Volpe has
also taught himself to play piano, banjo, bass and drums,
among other instruments.
Through his songs, Volpe tells haunting tales of
American experiences–from giving up everything and
everyone you know to move to New York City in "Jersey
Sun", to feeling lost in this vast country in "Refugee
Blues", the title track to Volpe's recently released self-
published CD. All 15 songs were recorded live in one
take–a stellarrecording feat–which only adds credence
to Volpe's innate musical abilities. He won the studio time
to record the CD when he was awarded "best song"at the
West Coast Songwriting Association's (WCSA) contest
in 2004.
Volpe's top-quality songwriting and performing has also
garnered him honorable mentions in the prestigious
John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Billboard Worldwide
Song Contest. Most recently, "Refugee Blues" was
selected Best Album/Folk-Singer-Songwriter in the 2006
Independent Music Awards, judged by Norah Jones, Melissa
Etheridge, and Bill Wyman, among others. Volpe was also
selected as a featured independent artist on National Public
Radio's "Open Mic". He has opened for national touring artists
suchas Susan Gibson and Leslie Helpert. Other venues
played include Hotel Utah (San Francisco), the legendary
CBGB's (NYC), Arlene's Grocery (NYC), Galaxy Hut
(Arlington, VA), the Herndon Festival featuring Suzanne
Vega (Herndon,VA), and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
where he and his former band earned first place in the Battle
of the Bands (2001).
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