There are multiple artists named Umberto. 1. Umberto is actually a one-man band, that man being Matt Hill, live collaborator / touring member of Expo '70. While Expo '70 has proven to be especially adept at channelling the heavy kosmiche bliss of prime '70s krautrock a la Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel, Umberto is equally savvy at conjuring the dark, suspenseful soundtrack-y sounds of Goblin and the like. With, some cosmic Klaus-y krauty-ness thrown in as well. http://www.myspace.com/carmichaelvoorhees
1. Umberto is actually a one-man band, that man being Matt Hill, live collaborator / touring member of Expo '70. While Expo '70 has proven to be especially adept at channelling the heavy kosmiche bliss of prime '70s krautrock a la Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel, Umberto is equally savvy at conjuring the dark, suspenseful soundtrack-y sounds of Goblin and the like. With, some cosmic Klaus-y krauty-ness thrown in as well.
http://www.myspace.com/carmichaelvoorhees
http://www.myspace.com/umberto666
2. Gina Pensiero's solo project. Umberto's lineup is ever-shifting based on geographical location. Songs range from heartwrenching testimonial singer-songwriterish anthems to smart and snappy power pop tunes; from off-the-cuff odes to npr personalities and rants against hipsterism to hip hop covers. Always original, the music finds roots in indie rock, riot-girl, rock and roll and folk. Inspired by the "cultural cannibalism" manifesto of tropicalia, the finished project is always fusing eclectic influences with stark originality and taking new and unexpected turns.
"Umberto really is doing her own thing, and the more you scratch about to define her roots, the farther away she gets get from you...Umberto has a gift for making you believe that every word, every screaming noise, is real and true."
-Alan Goldsmith, The Ann Arbor Observer
"Chalk Umberto down as another delightful and largely unexpected surprise. "
-Wendell McKay, Clown's Death Rattle
"Pensiero...plays a wide variety of musical instruments that blend into an idiosyncratic sound that emphasize her breathy, emotional vocals and witty wordplay."
-weretwins.com