Letting Go: Interviewed with corto.alto
In the vibrant musical landscape of Glasgow, there’s a tension between expectation and reality, especially when discussing the work of musician Liam Shortall. While he is often categorized under the umbrella of jazz, the true scope of his creative output, embodied by his project corto.alto, stretches far beyond any single genre label.
Shortall’s music refuses to be boxed in. Instead of fitting neatly into a single category, corto.alto crafts a sound that is strikingly broader, more expansive, and undeniably multi-faceted. It is a tapestry woven from diverse musical threads, challenging listeners to look beyond conventional classifications.
This expansive vision was powerfully showcased on his full-length album, ‘Bad With Names’. The record garnered significant recognition, earning a nomination for a Mercury Prize in 2024, underscoring the critical impact of Shortall’s unique approach.
The project corto.alto exemplifies how art can transcend genre. It proves that exceptional musicality doesn’t adhere to narrow definitions; it evolves, embraces complexity, and offers rich, layered experiences for those who listen closely.