Professional Spotlight >>
At 1043 Recordings, we’re all about breaking borders. This month, we’re spotlighting a long- term collaborator who has become a mainstay of the Futureworks community: theAlbanian guitarist, educator, and industry mover & shaker, Altin Gjoni.
From Tirana to Salford:
Altin Gjoni//
Session Guitarist and Educator.
Written by Pete Jenkinson, Industry Coordinator, FutureWorks
At 1043 Recordings, we’re all about breaking borders. This month, we’re spotlighting a long- term collaborator who has become a mainstay of the Futureworks community: the Albanian guitarist, educator, and industry mover & shaker, Altin Gjoni.
What started as a speculative online message back in 2022 has evolved into a five-year partnership. Today, Altin is much more than a guest; he’s a frequent fixture at our Manchester Riverside Campus and Studios. Whether he’s playing guitar parts for student tracks in the studios, speaking to students, or tearing it up on stage at our label showcases.
A Global Portfolio: From ‘Desert’ to ‘Rusty Halo’
Altin’s discography with 1043 Recordings is a testament to his diverse music heritage. In 2023, he dropped two distinct singles on the label: the atmospheric solo track ‘Desert’ and the collaborative anthem ‘Back Home’ with his Albanian outfit, Erina & The Elementals.
Beyond the label, his work on the Clouds EP with Julien Gaiffe and his latest project, Rusty Halo, continues to push his sound forward as a gifted guitarist, showing his forte, the ability to ‘serve the song’ in a way that separates him from most players.
He is first and foremost a texture player, working with sound and emotion as adding colours in a painting. Independent of genre, his guitar work complements and adds to the song’s story and emotion with simple yet fine arrangements in both acoustic and electric settings.
The evolution of his work is now broadly recognised, from recording sessions in our studios and local performances to his 2026 performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, one of the world’s most iconic stages, alongside Sara Payman.
Check out his technique in action in this live session with his Band in Albania:
Bringing the Industry into the Classroom
It’s rare to find a session musician who can shred on stage and then break down the business of music in a lecture hall. Altin’s insights into “Making a Living as a Session Musician” have been so valuable that we’ve actually integrated his expertise into our course design and curriculum.
But… his journey isn’t just about playing; while studying for his Master’s in London, Altin applied his marketing savvy to 1043 Recordings’ campaigns and our 6UP Live concerts at the infamous Eagle Inn. As David Cummins, a Music Production degree lecturer, notes: “His ability to bridge the gap between being a performer and a canny digital marketeer is exactly what our students need to see in the contemporary industry.”
Connecting Manchester and Tirana
Altin has been a massive advocate for the Futureworks music community in his home city of Tirana. Through his work with international conferences such as MUSE-X and the Balkan Music Industry Sessions, he has hosted our staff on panels and workshops, fostering an authentic cultural exchange between the UK and Albania.
Watch the panel hosted by Altin: Indie Is Not Alone: Alternative Funding, Artist Services & The Right Time For a Label
Next Up?
We’re hyped to confirm that Altin will be returning to Manchester for the Autumn 2026/27 term. He’ll be back in the lecturer’s chair and back on the 1043 stages for more live sets.
Big Up Tirana!
