Posted April 25, 2011 at 8:56 am | No comments
When one thinks of Saudi Arabia, a strong and open music scene doesn’t normally come to mind, but as is the case with many cultural stereotypes, looks can be deceiving. One of the artists that is looking to shed light on the Saudi musical scene and heritage is guitarist, and current Vancouver resident, Faze, and his Faze Project is an exciting new instrumental record that features world-class playing and writing. Aside from his work as a performer and recording artist, Faze is also an experienced teacher who is spreading his wings into the realm of live workshops and internet guitar lessons. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for Faze, he’s definitely ready to make a splash on the international, instrumental-guitar scene.
Posted in: Instrumental Interviews, Interviews, Rock
Posted April 24, 2011 at 9:56 am | 4 comments
Back in around 1999, I was studying jazz performance at Vanier College in Montreal. As any typical young player in the ‘90s, I was into the classic players such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino and Joe Pass, a few obscure guitarists like Lenny Breau and Ed Bickert and of course had spent my obligatory time with Pat Metheny’s catalogue. But then one day my teacher Nick Di Tomasso, who had incredible foresight, gave me a record and said, “If you think those guys can play, you need to check out this album, it’ll change your life.” That would be an understatement to say the least. The album was Dust by the New York based, virtuoso guitarist Ben Monder.
Posted in: Guitar Hero Interviews, Interviews, Jazz, Jazz Interviews
Posted April 21, 2011 at 6:43 pm | No comments
Many rock bands like to talk about their compassion for a cause, whether it be poverty, global warming or war, but few really put their money where their mouths are as did Alt-Rockers Cake when the recorded their latest release, 2011’s Showroom Of Compassion. Completely refitting their recording studio with solar panels, the band recorded the entire album with solar power, a testament to their commitment to using and promoting alternative energies. When Cake gets behind an idea and a project, they definitely follow through.
Posted in: Indie Rock-Pop, Interviews, Rock Interviews
Posted April 21, 2011 at 10:20 am | No comments
It’s not easy growing up with a parent who is a famous name in their chosen field, especially if one decides to pursue a career in the same vein as their well-known mother or father. Often times it is hard, or even impossible, for one to step out from their parent’s shadows and make a name for themselves, no matter what career path they choose to pursue. While this is the case with many musicians, guitarist Marcel Powell is proving that one can carry on their parent’s legacy, while at the same time creating an entirely separate, and highly successful, career in their own right.
Posted in: Interviews, Jazz, Jazz Interviews
Posted April 21, 2011 at 7:55 am | No comments
Recently signing with Filament records, North Carolina rockers have emerged from the recording studio, where they worked with legendary producer Jim Wirth, to release a killer new EP titled Second Time Around. The album features heavy guitar work, poignant lyrics, deep rock grooves and powerful vocals, everything a modern rock band needs to stand out in an often overcrowded marketplace.
Posted in: Interviews, Modern Rock, Rock Interviews
Posted April 20, 2011 at 9:09 am | 8 comments
Before there was Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, there was Top Topham. The original guitarist in one of the most famous, guitar-hero filled bands in rock history, Topham was the guitarist who started it all. Though his tenure with the band was short lived, being only 15 years old at the time his parents had issues with his late nights spent jamming in clubs, his influence can still be felt to this day.
Posted in: Blues, Blues Interviews, Guitar Hero Interviews, Interviews
Posted April 19, 2011 at 5:59 pm | No comments
It used to be that Rock n Roll was as American as apple pie. That the best rock n rollers grew up in the Deep South, the cornfields of the Midwest and under the sun of Los Angeles. But times have changed, and rock is now a global phenomenon, bringing to the world’s attention great bands and unbelievable talent from every corner of the globe. Case in point is one of Russia’s best rock bands, Pushking, and their latest record The World as We Love It is a testament to their longevity, creative output and ability to keep up with the biggest names it the business.
Posted in: Classic Rock, Interviews, Rock Interviews
Posted April 19, 2011 at 1:46 pm | 3 comments
The distinct vocals of legendary singer, Eric Burdon, still resonate and captivate us nearly fifty years since The Animals made their way to America as part of the now heralded British Invasion. There was something deeply organic about the music that Eric and the rest of The Animals played, a gritty earthiness that had a working class feel to it.
Posted in: Classic Rock, Guitar Hero Interviews, Interviews, Rock Interviews
Posted April 18, 2011 at 12:47 pm | No comments
Moving between the Metal and Jazz worlds throughout his long and successful career, guitarist Alex Skolnick is one of the few musicians on today’s scene who can claim to have played Thrash Metal shows and appeared at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. After graduating from the New School in New York, where he studied jazz, Skolnick has been blazing a new trail with his music as he and his trio brings Metal, Rock and Jazz together in highly personal and effective combination. All of these influences can be heard on the band’s latest album, Veritas.
Posted in: Interviews, Jazz, Jazz Interviews
Posted April 18, 2011 at 7:41 am | No comments
Jazz is an art form that lives in the moment. Musical ideas are created on the spot, melodies swirl around complex harmonies and everything is kept together with a pulsing rhythm that ranges from bombastic to sultry and seductive. Because of Jazz’s ability to be absolutely spontaneous, many fans believe that live albums are the only way to properly capture the moment when a band comes together to breathe life into their tunes. But, live albums are also some of the hardest to capture because of the risk involved whenever a high level of improvisation is being injected into the music.
Posted in: Interviews, Jazz, Jazz Interviews
