GUITARIST AJ FEDERICO BREAKS OUT WITH STYLE

A lone performer in a lightning-streaked costume wields an electric axe upon the stage. The guitar synthesizer crackles to life, and a six string orchestra issues forth. A banshee’s wail slices through the night air beneath the dazzling lights. A performance of AJ Federico has begun.

Arthur James Federico is a veteran of the New York City music scene. A performer par excellence, he learned his trade from such a range of experiences as bartending at L’Amour’s and playing in an 18-piece band. Armed with an Ibanez 770 guitar and GR-30 synthesizer, BR-8 drum machine and killer vocals, he has crafted an unforgettable style.

Edgy and eclectic, AJ’s signature style blazes with electric intensity. The rebellious strains of the progressive instrumental called “AJs Race for Your Life”, the intricate, sax-laced “Funky Face” and the anthemic “Cut You off At The Knees” carry a youthful intensity that has fans repeating the lyrics like a mantra, while the more thoughtful “It’s Only A Dream” takes he listener on a psychedelic journey across distant mindscapes. Through all his crossing of genre boundaries, he has remained true to a single, identifiable style. And with two professional videos that have over a million or more million views each, AJ has built a fan base across the globe.

AJ’s stream of musical and stylistic influences runs vast and deep. “I’ve been influenced by Miles Davis, Steve Vai, Michael Jackson, and even Broadway musicals. I also pay attention to contemporary artists.” He has a strong stage presence, seeming born to the stage, and he is naturally expressive.

But AJ has not sought to recreate anything. “I strive to stay true to my material, even though that means not conforming to the “Top 40” variety so prevalent in the music world. I stand by my own brand.” Never one to follow a formula for a “hit single,” AJ delivers a unique sound that resonates with a jaded audience. And while the mainstay of his work speaks to the younger crowd, his slower offerings find a broader audience.

Passionate and focused, AJ’s dedication shows in everything he does. “I’m doing what I feel is important with my life. But it’s not about cash flow. I mean, it’s nice to be able to pay the rent, but in the end, money is just a way to do things in the physical world. I am more concerned with being a musician. I also have a strong belief in God, and I want to be able to truly help people. When I have the credibility as a performer, I want to support charities like child cancer research and the prevention of animal cruelty.”

With his heart in the right place and his music out to touch the hearts and minds of his fans, AJ looks like he has his future well in hand.