Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Oh, well, tell me a little bit about how you were inspired to even pick up a guitar and then some of your, your practice routines when you started versus when you're practicing now, if you do.
Speaker 1 00:00:13 For sure. Well, I was raised in a pretty, um, musical family. My dad has been a, he, he was more active, um, up until recently as a, a singer, sang professionally, um, with, um, this choir called the Norman Luba Choir that toured Europe. And I grew up in a pretty small town, and he was kind of known as the, the singer, so to speak, like the guy that would sing at weddings and funerals and events. And he would sing the national anthem and, um, just all sorts of things. And the volunteer. So he was always, yeah, yeah, he was always singing around the house and, and my parents were, were grew up in the sixties and seventies and so we're playing music from that era all the time. And so I had a pretty diverse, um, uh, uh, musical upbringing cuz my dad was, as a singer, was singing more in the classical world and, um, more as a more traditional singer.
Speaker 1 00:01:23 And then, uh, when he would play music would be like funk and pop and, you know, steely Dan and, and stuff like that, that had a little bit more soul and, and was very cool. Was more modern. Yeah. So kind of a, the, the, the combining of the two worlds there. And that certainly had a big impact on me as far as being impacted by music and, and sort of having a natural, um, you know, just naturally being drawn to it. And, um, I remember when I was, I think I was six, there was an ad in the local paper for violin lessons. And I remember the day that my mom asked me if I was interested in doing that. And I said, sure. So I started taking, um, violin lessons, um, the, the Suzuki method, which is a common Yep. Method to, to, you know, how old
Speaker 0 00:02:25 Were you?
Speaker 1 00:02:27 Uh, six. Six, yeah. Yeah. So, um, I started doing that and that was really my first instrument. Um, of course I would sing as a kid and what have you, but in terms of playing a, a physical instrument, violin was certainly the first thing for whatever reason, I don't know, I just, you know, it was something new and it, it seemed cool to me at the time. Um, so I played that for, for, uh, several years for, for like eight years, I think almost until I was 13 and was introduced to the guitar, which, um, can't really pinpoint an exact, you know, event that triggered me to want to play guitar. But, um, I do remember watching, uh, school of Rock <laugh> and uh, which is one of my favorite movies. And there's a scene where Sunshine of Your Love is playing as part of the soundtrack.
Speaker 1 00:03:33 And I think Jack Black is like realizing that the, the kids are like badass musicians. And so he runs out to his van and starts bringing in gear to the, to the school and Sunshine Veer Love is playing. And I was like, what is this song? I need to know <laugh>. Um, so I figured out that out and of course then kind of went down the rabbit hole of Eric Clapton and, and Kreme. And um, there was also a, a local music store in the Town Square that had, you know, that carried a bunch of guitars. And I remember going down there, uh, one day and cuz I was interested in, in getting a guitar, an electric guitar, and went and picked one up this like Ibanez like shredder guitar that was this like bright, bright blue that just like Clapton. Yeah. Right. Yep. <laugh> that really spoke to me.
Speaker 1 00:04:28 And I started playing, um, my dad had a guitar at home, an acoustic guitar, so I had messed around a little bit and, you know, knew a few things but, uh, started playing Smoke on the Water <laugh>. Yes. And the, the owner of the store was like, this kid, this kid's got it. He's <laugh>. I think he was just kind of, you know, jokingly trying to, you know, encourage me whatever, cuz I, it's just smoke on the water. It's not like a super involved riff. Hey, but it's the one everybody can remember. They want to try to play it all on the Estring, right? Just right. Yes, exactly. It's actually on the, on the D and the G. Um, so yeah, that was, um, and then I just kind of, in high school I just really just went for it. I just, there was nothing else I wanted to do and I stopped playing violin Lynn, cuz I was just kind of all in on guitar.
Speaker 1 00:05:24 And that was coincidentally matched up with the time that John Mayer was getting really popular and he was like, continuum came out, which is like his guitar, you know, record. That was really inspiring to me. And, um, yeah, just, and also YouTube was really popping off then in terms of like footage, fan footage getting uploaded and, and I would watch videos of Robin Ford and um, just like pick out what he was playing and, you know, just transcribe stuff and, and just really go for it. Um, learn it all. I could just would come home after school. And
Speaker 0 00:06:08 So you were part of the, you were part of the, the YouTube revolution too, because it seems like such a different way to learn such an, I don't wanna say easier, but it's certainly more accessible. I mean, I used to have to save money to buy a book that you could take home and you had that singular book to go learn riffs from or drum beats or whatever it was, and then for sure then you'd save for the next one. So it was such a elongated process back then.
Speaker 1 00:06:37 Yeah, I was, I was actually more, I mean now on YouTube it's crazy the the amount of content there is for you to yeah, learn whatever you want. Sometimes it's too little, too much cuz you have to kind of sort through everything that everyone has put out on a certain, you know, topic. But I was more interested in finding videos of like, live videos of, of my favorite players and because, you know, the, the really good guitarist than ever played the same thing twice. So there's always something new to learn from every video you watch. Hmm. And I was pretty much self-taught and, um, and I would use my ear, you know, I, as opposed to being able to, I can read chord charts fairly well, but musical notation I, I can't really read and I would just rather rely on my ear because the type of music that I play and the situations I put myself in, it's more beneficial for me to, to do that just cuz I, it's a skill you develop as well. You know, it's, it's, it's something that you can get better at. Um, because once you, if you hear something once and then you encounter it again, you kind of make note of that and it's easier to, to um, to learn new things that way. So.
Speaker 0 00:08:00 So a lot of what you practiced, you're saying was essentially emulating and learning, whether it be learning songs or emulating licks from some of your favorites at the
Speaker 1 00:08:07 Time. Yeah, for sure. And to be honest, I thank you for reiterating the second part of the question cuz I forgot it, which was practice, um, routine. And I don't, I don't really remember how I practiced when I first started playing because I was just trying to absorb as much as I could and of, of course, you know, the, the pentatonic scale was, was huge for me. Um, still is <laugh> still is for, for everyone I think mm-hmm. <affirmative> that plays, you know, blues and soul and funk and r and b. But I just, you know, I was just took in as much as I could and, uh, would, would, I had a looper pedal that I would use a lot as a practice tool, just like make a, a little, a little loop with a couple of chords in it and just play over that for hours.
Speaker 1 00:09:05 And, and that's, I mean, it's still kind of remains true for me today. I, there are some things that I, that I practice at and that I want to get better at. Um, there's a scale I've been working on, um, called the Lidian, uh, what is it? Lidian Flat seven Scale. So basically it's a, it's a major scale with a race fourth and a flatted seventh, which sounds is a cool thing to spice up you playing in a, you know, in a, in a minor kind of blues or, or r and b kind of setting. But, um, anything I practice now is like, I'm either, well, I'm either trying to like write, you know, come up with, with, um, ideas, core progressions that I can use for songs. Um, or I, it's like a, I encounter I a specific scenario that I'd want to use something a you know, like a scenario that I encounter a lot, um, in the, in the, uh, context of my playing and I want to be able to use this specific scale or whatever there. So.
Speaker 0 00:10:21 And how do you create, come up with the things, how do you come up with those things that you want to learn? Are they things similar to what you used to do, is something that you hear or you run across a a, a piano tutorial or something? I mean, how do you, how do you come up with these things?
Speaker 1 00:10:36 Well, there's, you just kind of like one way or another hear about, like, I play with this piano player a lot. His name's Mitch Town and he is, he's a jazz cat. He's very, very fluent jazz vocabulary. And so he'll play something and I'll be like, whoa, stop. You know, what was that like? Tell me what that was. And, and so he'll say whatever that was just melodic minor, you know, something over the, over the five chord or something. So I make a note of that and then come back, you know, when I come back home, I'll, I'll try and work that out. Or like watching a, one of my favorite Instagram guitars, one of my favorite guitarists in general, but I just, I found out about him through Instagram is this guy named Charlie Allen from, from London. And he'll sometimes like, I'll, I'll, we have a, you know, a, a correspondence or whatever, um, occasionally talk and sometimes I'll ask him like, what he's doing at this little particular point and he'll say, oh, that's Lydian flat seven scale, or melodic minor or, so there's just little situations that, you know, you make a note of Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:11:55 What is what, what you wanna single out and, and try and get to the source of that.
Speaker 0 00:12:01 That's great. So, uh, you mentioned that you, obviously you still write and everything, you've got some records out and you continue to, to put tunes together. I know you play with some, some different cats in different bands and settings, so mm-hmm. <affirmative> career wise, obviously this is, this is what you want to continue to do for a living and, and, and build yourself. Is original music part of that?
Speaker 1 00:12:27 Yeah, absolutely. I, I mean, I, right now the majority of, of the work I do is playing as a for hire guitarist. So, um, I play with several artists and bands, uh, in the Lincoln and Omaha area and that's really great. I love doing that. Uh, I'll, I'll probably never stop doing that, but, but the, you know, the goal eventually, I guess is to transition to more of a, um, a more well-rounded or just more, um, have my, have my stoker in a little bit more fires, so to speak, in terms of having my own artist career where I can put music out. Cause I don't really have that much music out right now. Not enough to like really start booking, um, shows and more extensive, um, you know, endeavors in that area. But I do have aspirations to do that. Um, but again, a lot of my time is taken up by playing with, with other groups because Sure. You know, gotta gotta pay the bills. That's a
Speaker 0 00:13:43 Appreciable that you like both too, because I've got, you know, I have good friends in the industry that are, that are still, you know, a lot of my buddies are playing with some of the big touring bands and mm-hmm. <affirmative> or studio musicians and others that are, you know, still trying to write and do their own thing. But it's rare to find somebody that really enjoys doing session work or playing with other bands and then still aspires to write their own stuff. So, that being said, what is it, what is it like and how did you come to the decision or have you come to the decision to stay in Nebraska? I know this is a different day and age in the music industry, but what, what has kept you in Nebraska versus doing the old school move to LA or Nashville or something like that?
Speaker 1 00:14:27 Sure. Well, I, I mean, moving here in the first place was kind of a, I don't know, kind of a, a random decision. I had moved to New York City, um, right after I graduated high school with the intention of, you know, living there and playing music and just trying to, I wasn't gonna go to school or anything. I just wanted to become immersed in the scene there. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, which I did for, uh, a couple years. I lived there and played with several, several artists and bands. But I was, I lived there from 18 to, to nearly 21. And, um, yeah, just, I guess just didn't really feel that connected to, to the scene there. Um, I think partly, partly due to how kind of young and timid I was and, you know, I as, as like a, as like a kid from small town Nebraska, not that I, you know, didn't, um, acclimate well to New York City cuz it is a big change, but I just, I just feel like I didn't have the confidence to, you know, to really go for it.
Speaker 1 00:15:41 So I decided to come or to move to Lincoln, which is the, the capital of Nebraska, obviously. And, um, the second largest city. And I didn't really know, um, what to expect. I just had some friends here, um, you know, that had moved here f after high school and went to college or whatever. It's a, it's obviously a popular thing to do for kids from Nebraska to go to college in Nebraska. So I knew a lot of people here and, but I quickly, uh, um, found my, worked my way into the music scene. I was playing open mics and, um, just trying to, to meet people, go out to shows cuz at the, cuz then at that time I had, uh, turned 21 so I could, you know, legally get into bars, which, or music venues, which also coincidentally happened to be bars, which you have to be 21 to get into most of the time. So that was, uh, you know, a, a big thing for me as well was into getting, getting into venues and meeting people and, um, I started playing with a band called a Ferocious Jungle Cat, which I, I still play in, we don't play as often, but we, we, we've been together f for well the band existed before I even joined. So that's been, um, you know, like almost nine years now, 8, 8, 8 or nine years.
Speaker 1 00:17:12 Um, and um, you know, since then I've, I've be felt really lucky to have played with as many artists and bands as I have because, um, it's, it's, it's really, it's supported me, you know, the entire, almost the entire time that I've lived here. Um, and it's, it's one of those situations where the scene and the, the number of artists and and musicians who are playing music is enough that, as a guitarist who I hope, I mean it's, uh, I hope that other people think, you know, is good and, um, can play the music how, how, how they want it to be played. And, um, I've been blessed to be, um, you know, got, get blessed to be asked to play as with a lot of, a lot of people because they, they believe in me and, and um,
Speaker 0 00:18:20 Yeah, and it kind of illustrates, it illustrates how vast the music industry has spread. Not only are there more people that see opportunities, so they pursue them, but they also realize with the way social media works and even relationships work in the person to person, like what you're experiencing, you're, you're in a, a city that makes more sense for you personality-wise, but there's still plenty of talent and opportunity versus, you know, in the early nineties you moved to LA or else, you know, right. Or, or you're taking a secondary lane. Um, yeah, so I, I I think that's appreciable and I, uh, there's something to be said about just finding a place where you're comfortable, cuz obviously you're, you're gonna be a better player and, you know, make more hay around people that you're comfortable with, as long as you're not compromising yourself and obviously you're not, you're a fantastic player and you're still doing a lot of stuff. So I think that's really cool. Thank
Speaker 1 00:19:19 You. Yeah, I think you, I think you've, you definitely yeah, hit hit the mark there with that statement.
Speaker 0 00:19:27 So, um, and also, you know, you um, put yourself out there and then guys like me find you outta nowhere too and, and hit you up for stuff. So, you know, might I ask, what was it about the, this last project I, uh, I asked you to, to play on Ray of Light? What was it about that tune that made you say yes or are you gonna tell me that you say yes to everybody?
Speaker 1 00:19:49 <laugh>? No, well, well first of all the, the, the track is a banger. So that's, that, that's like priority number one is, is the track good? And, um, it's obviously very funky and um, I like, I liked how there's this like, I don't know if it's necessarily a key change, but there's this big kind of jump from, if it's the, the verse to the chorus, you know, it kind of jumps around, um, which intrigued me listening to it. I was like, oh wow, that's, that's fresh. You know, that's like, um, that's, that's something that I caught my ear. Um, but yeah, I mean, I, I, the, the main, uh, you know, selling point for me is, um, is this track something that I, you know, that that I would make, I would wanna play on if I made it myself or you know, is it, is it something that's in my lane? And for sure that that track is, uh, it's funky, you know, it's, um, it's definitely, I'm, I lean more like minor playing and I think my solo kind of stays in that mm-hmm. <affirmative> that lane too, which is, you know, like the pentatonic, but kind of throw in some outside stuff too. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:21:09 Um, that's been a, it is been a, a, I don't wanna call it a habit, but same the, the same habit as I, I write in minor keys so much more often than is typical. Yeah. And it's just happens to be what I hear. And I've even had people say, man, it's sure you're riding minor a lot. Don't, don't you do <laugh>? I was like, I dunno, I was, it's what I'm hearing. So, uh, sometimes I do, but, uh, I'm glad you caught onto it cuz uh, I thought you did a fantastic job and you made it, you made it really sing, especially well, thank you since, you know, played on the bridge and there was the, you know, the part is kind of flowy and melodic mm-hmm. <affirmative> and I thought you did some really tasteful stuff to build into the, to the slamming part. So I thought you did awesome. I really appreciate that opportunity.
Speaker 1 00:21:50 Thank you. And I, I, I, I also really just love when, you know, playing, playing on, on other people's music especially, um, remotely because, um, that allows me to take my time and really experiment and, um, oftentimes I'll, I'll, I'll even compose or a solo by playing through it several times and finding different pieces that work together. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and then, because it's a, it's a recording and, and you know, you take your time, um, working on everything else in the song and, and and piecing things together and getting the parts just how you want them. So, so, um, I like to do that with solos often too. So, um, I'm pretty sure I that's,
Speaker 0 00:22:45 And people don't realize too, that's, I mean that's when people play live, a lot of times that's manifest from reps in the practice room. Yes. Or yeah, whatever. Anyway, so they're kind of playing off a, an idea that they know that works. Some of 'em, when they're playing differently, it's not just flippant or outta nowhere, so
Speaker 1 00:23:03 Absolutely. But,
Speaker 0 00:23:04 But you taking the time is, is a mark of a pro too, cuz there are a lot of people that, I mean, it doesn't mean you can't turn it around right away, but Yeah. You know, when you're working in your own room, it's, it's easier for you to take the appropriate amount of time and, and still turn it around somewhat quickly in terms of, uh, industry standard. So I, I appreciate
Speaker 1 00:23:23 That. Well, I've also got my setup already to go and what I'm used to, and a lot of times in the studio you'll be using like the, the house amp or, or you know, you don't have access to all your effects and you gotta sometimes haphazardly throw something together that you might not be totally confident about. But here I can, I know that I'm gonna be able to get something that, that I'm really gonna like and be proud of, so
Speaker 0 00:23:53 That's cool. Well, yeah, uh, I was, uh, I'm, I'm very, uh, grateful for that opportunity to, to work with you on that. Um, so as is kind of the theme of, of, uh, this channel and everything too, and I know we've discussed this in very brief before, but do you have any causes that you support or anything that you, uh, even if it's not something that you relate to musically or or any causes or charities that you support?
Speaker 1 00:24:21 Well, this is a, this is a good question. It's a tough one, <laugh>. Um, this might be a little left field, um, or maybe not, maybe someone has already has already answered this way, but there, I've got several people in my life, my parents included, who, um, advocate for a, uh, whole foods plant-based diet, um, which I have. Um, I mean, I try to abide by most of the time. But, um, yeah, I've, I've learned a lot through them about the benefits of that lifestyle and, um, I think it certainly, um, in terms of impacting your health has, has big benefits. Um, and I think there's certainly something to say about the impacts on the planet as well. Um, absolutely. Yeah. So yeah, I've, I I I'm not like a hundred percent like, you know, go vegan or whatever, but I certainly try to, um, yeah, abide by some of those standards and, and take care of myself in a, in a somewhat healthy way. Um, yeah,
Speaker 0 00:25:33 That goes a long way. And I think that's, uh, you know, I think that's a, that is a modern day issue that carries over to more than just your own, your own self too. Like you said, it's world destination and, um, and it's a different level of health. I mean, I think that we've digressed and health wise, I got all kinds of stuff that has just been a consequence of the way we've eaten over decades and decades, you know, and I of a sudden develop all these allergies at my old age and, you know, the weirdest things come up and those types of things could really avoid that. Or, I mean, heck at people in, I don't know how exactly how old you are, but certainly people in their twenties now are gonna be living to closer to a hundred than ever before. And I think a lot of that's from that kind of education, so I think it's very valuable. That's great.
Speaker 1 00:26:21 Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:26:22 All right. So lastly, tell me what you're up to now. Is there anything that you want to talk about, uh, things that are coming up or anything like that that you wanted to touch on?
Speaker 1 00:26:33 It's shaping up to be, uh, another busy year. Last year I had probably the busiest, busiest gigging year, um, thus far of my music career. And this year is certainly shaping up to, um, be another big one. I've, I've got plans to, um, I think I can say this, I think it's set in stone, but, um, I play with a band. I've been playing with a band called Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal, um, which is a funk soul, r and b band fronted by, um, fantastic singer named Josh Hoyer. And, um, he has been, uh, playing on, uh, on the road and, and extensively touring for, for years now. Um, and just put out a, a fantastic new record that I actually didn't play on. Um, I've been, it's, it's a somewhat complicated situation, but I've been filling in for the, for the, the, the regular guitar player who's one of my favorite guitarists in general.
Speaker 1 00:27:36 Um, his name's Benjamin Kushner, but he played on the record, and, and that got released late last year, so this where we touring a bit more to support that. But, um, we're, um, in the works, uh, organizing a, a Spain tour, a Spanish tour where we'd be in, in Spain for, for a week or two, so hopefully that pans out. I know it's, they're still in talks, but, um, and then we've also got a, um, we booked a, a cruise gig, so, so the band is going, uh, on a, on a virgin cruise for a month later this year. Um, so that'll be, that'll be really fun. I've never done anything like that. Um, so it'll be, it'll be an interesting experience, but it'll be fun to be, you know, playing music in a different environment and, and traveling around and, uh, in a different way. Um, but other than that, yeah, I'm, I'm hoping to, to, um, put out some more music this year. It's been four years since I've released anything, and I'm, I feel like I, I just have this, this urge to, to do more of that because, um, it's
Speaker 2 00:28:52 About that time, brother.
Speaker 1 00:28:53 Yeah, it's time. Yeah. And I, you're certainly an inspiration for that because you've, you've, um, you know, put in the work and you do a lot on your own as well in terms of producing and, and organizing everything. You work relatively, um, keep a, keep a tight team. So, well,
Speaker 2 00:29:12 Honestly, that's just born of the fact that, uh, I got tired of waiting on musicians to show up two hours late to a session. I mean, it was, it was getting tiresome, and it's not that I'm the absolute best cat for every single guitar part on, on something or whatever. I just, um, I just decided I'm gonna do this myself. It may take longer, but at least I can, I can get, I can express the things that I want to express and specifically the way I want to do it. I do hope someday to do a lot more collaborations, like, like what I did with you, which I thought was fantastic, and you certainly have the talent to do this kind of stuff, whether it be on your own or I'm sure you have musicians that you could call upon as well, but I know you could do this all yourself, so you have no excuse, brother.
Speaker 1 00:29:56 Yeah, it's, it's, it's nice to have, uh, you know, your hand in, in, in everything or having your stamp on. I, I like to work in the stuff that I've released. Most of the stuff I've released up to this point I've worked on almost exclusively by myself minus some, minus mixing and mastering. And, um, it's really fulfilling to, to see everything come together, you know, uh, piece by piece, working on it by yourself. It's, it's, uh,
Speaker 2 00:30:28 Well get something out there. Don't wait till you're my age, or it's gonna be a hell of a lot longer than four years between records for you and, uh, I know, I know you've got great things in store. I'll be the first one in line when you have something out, so let me know. I
Speaker 1 00:30:42 I will, I appreciate that, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 00:30:46 Yeah. Like I said, I'd be the first in line to pick up your stuff, so if there's anything I can do for you, uh, whether it be helping your record or, uh, helping anything else that you need, I'm always here for you. And I appreciate your talent and I appreciate your time. It's your take to come sit down with us and, and share your story and some of your background. I hope people will scope your stuff and, uh, I look forward to talking to you some more, brother. It's great
Speaker 1 00:31:09 Seeing you. Yeah, thanks so much for having me, Tegan. All right, man.
Speaker 2 00:31:12 Peace,
Speaker 1 00:31:13 Pleasure. All right, thanks.
Speaker 3 00:32:00 Pieces at the end of the game. Slow soul shine.
