Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini (born 24 May 1976) is an Italian musician best known for his work with modular synthesizers,[1][2] and being the keyboard, guitar, and bass player in the American industrial band Nine Inch Nails. [3][4][5] As a member of Nine Inch Nails, Cortini is the first Italian inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.[6][7]
Alessandro Cortini
- Musician
- instrument maker
- Vocals
- keyboards
- synthesizers
- guitar
- bass
1994–present
- Interscope
- Mute
- Important Records
- Buddyhead
- Modwheelmusic
As an instrument maker, Cortini created a patchable analogue synth instrument called Strega through Make Noise.
Early life and education[edit]
Cortini was born in Bologna, Italy and raised in Forlì, Italy. Cortini moved from Italy to the United States to study guitar at the Musicians Institute. After graduating, and straying away from the guitar, he decided to focus on keyboards and synths.
Career[edit]
Early projects[edit]
From 2001 to 2002, Cortini acted as touring guitarist for The Mayfield Four in support of their album Second Skin.
In fall 2006, Cortini contributed to the Musicians Institute's Recording Artist Program by acting as advisor for one-on-one training with students.[8]
He was also a founding member of Modwheelmood, an electronic/alternative band from Los Angeles, with former Abandoned Pools guitarist Pelle Hillström. Together they have released two EPs, ? (2003) and Enemies & Immigrants (2006). In 2007, they released Things Will Change, the companion remix disc for Enemies & Immigrants, and they released the first part of their new album Pearls to Pigs, Vol. 1 on 25 December 2007 exclusively as a digital release.
Nine Inch Nails[edit]
While briefly teaching at the Musicians Institute, he saw an ad for open auditions for Nine Inch Nails.[9] Trent Reznor stated that Alessandro Cortini "fit in immediately."[10] Reznor also stated that: