Barti, of Alberto and the Fried Bikinis

Barti, a musician from Switzerland and Guatemala (“I have family in both countries,” he says), is the front man for Al-Berto & the Fried Bikinis, whose chilled out acoustic/electronic tracks appeared in the Big UP Productions’ climbing flicks Dosage V and Progression. In addition to playing guitar, bass, accordion, and keyboard, Barti sings and is an avid boulderer.

How would you describe the style of music you play?
Good Vibes.

How are music and bouldering similar? Or different?
When you climb or when you do music, you express yourself. In music it seems obvious, but I think in climbing it is even more pure. Everyone has his own personal climbing style, like a musician has his own performing style. They both give me a lot of energy — a day out bouldering with friends, surrounded by glacier scenery, is as boosting as giving a concert with friends and a great audience.

Does climbing influence your music?
Thanks to climbing, I started to travel to those magic places around the world. I guess it’s the climbing lifestyle that influences my music more than the climbing itself.

Do you have any songs about climbing?
I wrote one 15 years ago. It was called “Schizzachea,” named after a wonderful route I wanted to climb so bad in Italy. Pretty embarrassing, and of course misunderstood, lyrics: ‘I want to get higher, but you won’t let me . . . ’

How did you get involved with Big UP Productions? How many tracks of yours have they used?
In 2004, I met Cooper Roberts in Castle Hill, New Zealand, where he filmed footage that appeared in the extras of Dosage III. After that, we always met somewhere around the world for climbing, deep water soloing, or surfing. Cooper pretty much saw the whole evolution of this music project, and has been part, too.

Submit to be featured in Ear Candy, brought to you by Millet (milletusa.com). Go to
forums.urbanclimbermag.com and drop your info in the Ear Candy forum.