Genre: Jazz, Rock
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Felix Martin is a Venezuelan guitarist & touring artist with his eponymous band, currently based in the vibrant and elite music scene of Los Angeles, California. The group's unique and versatile style is an eclectic melange of Metal, Progressive Rock, Latin Music, and Jazz/Fusion.

FM GUITARS

Beyond simply being an endorsed guitarist Felix launched his very own brand called FM GUITARS which, in just its first few months of existence, attracted nearly 100 players! Through FM GUITARS Felix developed an entirely new type of guitar with 12-, 14- and 16-string variations: two guitars joined together in a single neck on one small body. This innovative design essentially allows him to play two guitars simultaneously as if they were one, forming new sounds and developing unique new guitar techniques. In addition to the specialty guitars, Felix and FM GUITARS developed a line of bass guitars utilizing a similar physical structure, as well as offering a standard line of single fretboard guitars.

While two-handed and multi-neck guitar playing is not new in itself--legends like Stanley Jordan and Eddie Van Halen and shredders like Michael Angelo Batio are all innovators in their own right. But Felix's style of playing on his FM Guitar is entirely unique. He has been able to create a whole new system of techniques, including new series of chord shapes (8 finger chords, polychords, etc.), 2-handed melodic techniques (played using two hands), chord melodies, percussion and miscellaneous techniques that are not possible with a single fretboard guitar. And in addition to his new guitar methods, he's created new playing systems for his 8-, 10- and 12-string basses.

EARLY LIFE

Felix was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and grew up in a small town called Acarigua. He began playing guitar and bass at age 12, teaching himself without the benefit of lessons or formal learning materials. Early on, it was his creativity that enabled him to recreate on instruments what he heard through his CD Walkman. Upon graduating high school, he earned a scholarship that prompted him to move to Boston to study at the renowned Berklee School Of Music. With a Berklee degree secured, he immediately signed a record deal with Prosthetic Records (Marty Friedman, Lamb of God, Animals as Leaders, Gojira) and began touring the world with his band.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Felix's band hit the road and quickly leveled-up, sharing impressive bills with the likes of Sons Of Apollo (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot), Marty Friedman, and Tony MacAlpine. Touring took them across the United States, Europe, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and China. The group also made its way through the festival circuit including Progressive Nation at Sea (Neal Morse, Devin Townsend, Periphery), SXSW (Veil Of Maya), Euroblast (Leprous) in Germany, Mexicali Prog (Haken) in Mexico, and Tech Fest in the UK.

Needless to say, Felix has attracted a great deal of media attention due to his phenomenal musicianship and instrumental innovation. He has been featured in numerous publications. You may have caught him in LA Weekly, Revolver Magazine, Billboard, CBS Radio, Guitar World, Premier Guitar, Vintage Guitar, and Blabbermouth, among others.

The Felix Martin full-band lineup began with fellow Berklee students--drummers JP Bouvet & Victor Carracedo and bassists Nate Navarro & Kilian Duarte. The current L.A.-based group consists of Joan Torres (playing a 10-string FM Bass) and drummer Nic Kubes.

You can follow Felix Martin's news, media coverage, tour schedule, music releases and more via felixmartin.net.

Bio by Wiley Koepp