Checkout this great interview with Marco Sfogli over on dofret.co.uk:

Q: To me, and many other people, one of the main things that stands out about your playing is your superb phrasing – is that something that you have always been conscious of and is it something you practise?

R: Not really, I think that’s one of the few things that comes from the inside, that has probably bring with me since I was born. I mean I never practiced the melodic aspect, the so called “notes choice”. That comes naturally for me probably due to the fact that I grew up surrounded by music, hearing my mom singing and my father playing. Can’t really give a detailed answer about this.

Q: The guitar scene here in the UK seems to be really picking up at the moment and feels like it is going back full circle to the days when being technically proficient on guitar was something to be proud of! Players like Guthrie Govan, Rick Graham, Tom Quayle and others seem to be taking technical (and musical ability) to a new level. Are you familiar with any of these players? Does the scene in Italy compare? Which guitarists and bands have caught your attention recently?

R: I know all the guys you mentioned, three monster players. Had the pleasure to talk briefly with Guthrie before a clinic he did here in my town and he’s equally the coolest guy and the most unbelievable guitar player I ever watched playing. I love Rick and Tom as well, you know I always liked tasty players and those are easily three of the tastier and finest players on the scene today. Also I just got Rick’s solo record “Inside Out” (reviewed here on Do Fret) and he did an amazing job, so tasty! There are a lot of great guitar players from my country, too many to mention. I don’t really listen to instrumental music today as much as in the past, I prefer listening to bands. Loved the latest Nickelback record as well as Karma from Winger.

Many congratulations to the guys who deservedly made the top 5, nice to see most of my faves in there too

Once again it amazes me the effort and work that goes into running a competition like this. Huge thanks again toMarco Sfogli, Rick Graham, Tom Quayle, Magnus Olsson, Chris Brooks and the tireless Laurie Monk!

..and looks like ‘Shred This 3′ is coming soon! \m/

Spotted over on truthinshredding, Marco Sfogli is working on his next solo album and has posted up a demo of a new song called ‘The Reaction’ on his myspace page.

Hi folks, I just posted one of the new songs from the next Sfoley solo record…still in its demo form but hey, sounds good to me already:) Hope you’ll enjoy it!

Sounds fantastic, can’t wait to hear more!

A very cool lesson over on Inifiniteguitar by Rick Graham showing how to play the solo section from ‘Andromeda’ that Marco Sfogli posted on youtube.

Spotted on the ever informative truthinshredding, fantastic in depth interview with Marco Sfogli, with some great snippets on Mr Sfogli’s song writing approach, the recording and production of ‘There’s Hope‘, parts he found *tricky* , his influences and a nice mention of Guthrie Govan as a current fave player .