Myth Guitar Q&A

Your name:

Mylène Douriez.

Where are you from?

France.

Name of band: 

Myth Guitar.

Who else is in your band? 

Me, myself and I. Or maybe should I say my guitar is the singer of the Myth Guitar project? 

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

I write instrumental music. I refer to my tracks as my babies so I guess they sound a lot like me: dynamic, wild, feminine, indie and rock ’n’ roll. 

Who are your main influences musically?

Bob Dylan, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Cadaveria just to mention some artists. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Making people smile and dance is all what I wish. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Being able to record my album « Tap’ This ! » at home. The main challenge was to make it a 100 per cent tapping album, exploring different moods with one guitar technique only. I also recorded the drums and the bass myself. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

One day as I was changing the strings on my electric guitar, I hurt my palm with one of them. The pain made me scream and I woke the cat up. She was mad at me for a few hours because of that… 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I would say my newly released single « Graffiti Town ». It is a colourful track, quite catchy and cheerful. I believe it represents the album « Tap’ This! » well. 

Where can we listen to it? 

https://www.reverbnation.com/mythguitar/song/23877040-graffiti-town

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mythguitar/

Twitter https://twitter.com/mythguitar

Reverbnation http://reverbnation.com/mythguitar

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/59G67WctPKgwcqHqeqhXNl

Deezer http://www.deezer.com/album/10936954

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

I would like to thank you for your time and these interesting questions! Best wishes. 

Falcon Down Q&A

Your name: 

Daniel Childerley.

Where are you from? 

Devon, UK.

Name of band: 

Falcon Down.

  

How would you describe yourself and your music? 

I'm primarily a songwriter. I see myself as a songsmith, lyricist, guitarist and singer in that order. 

Who are your main influences musically? 

Honestly, in the same breath I like to listen to Lionel Richie, Alice in Chains, Weezer, The Police and the Beastie Boys but very few DJs have these artists on rotation slots. Too many other artists to list as I have a very eclectic taste but most nineties grunge bands had a big influence on me.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

I have always hoped to write music that is either going to get under peoples skin and get them connecting with my brand or to land a licensing deal, no matter how big I would like some recognition for my songwriting and I feel that these two outcomes would be a sign of validation for my work. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 

Starting out as Falcon Down back at the beginning of 2014. Up until that point I had lost direction and lost more songs than I care to count. This focussed approach and adopted persona is empowering me to write authentic music, undiluted and free of heavy production. Having Stuart Epps give high praise on my track 'Flame' was also an added bonus. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

The way 'The Llamas' ended. Bad times for me musically and I fell out of love with ska music for a while. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

My track Blink Blink from my latest album. It's the best side of me, not too heavy or reflective and not another love song. 

Where can we listen to it? 

www.falcondown.com/mayday-mayday-pt-1-album-review

Where can we find out more about your music?

Twitter @falcon_dan

www.falcondown.com

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mayday-mayday-pt.-1/id989958339

My first 3 full length albums, 2 EP's and Christmas single can all be found on iTunes. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 

I really enjoy writing albums and Mayday Mayday, Pt 1 is the first instalment from the larger trilogy album titled Venez M'Aider, it will be out around Christmas time. 

I made a plan from the outset as Falcon Down that I would be forward thinking, I am on track and 2016 will see the launch of my album 'Guardians of the Analogue'. I will not be pigeon-holed into a set genre, I appreciate that this won't please everyone but I'm not about pleasing everyone. Staying true to my vision and the cross genre songs that I write is key to keeping my identity.
I don't and won't  play covers as I will not piggy back off the success of others. I remain a fan of the old school approach to making music and prefer to master pre 2006 "no one wins a loudness war". Here's hoping that some of my work grabs you and coining those famous words from Aliens "stay frosty". 

Missing Focus Q&A

Your name:

Toby Erskine (lead guitar/backing vocals).

Where are you from?

Glasgow, Scotland. 

Name of band: 

Missing Focus.

Who else is in your band? 

Nick O'Hare (lead vocals/rhythm guitar).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?We are an acoustic duo act that write music about love, life and all things the heart can relate with. We write our songs full of feeling about personal experiences in the hope that those who turn to music for answers will find our songs and help them through whatever life throws at them. 

Who are your main influences musically?

Most things acoustic really. Artists such as City and Colour, Dashboard Confessional, Goo Goo Dolls, Charlie Simpson, Bon Ivor, Ben Howard, This Wild Life. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Mainly just that our music reaches the right people, those that can relate to it, and that it can help them get through the tough times in life, the same way that music helped me get through. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Last winter we teamed up with a few other musicians we knew and wrote and recorded a brand new original Christmas song and released it for charity. It was a great experience for all of us and all for a good cause in the end. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

We played an outdoor local summerfest one year and in the middle of the first song the generator blew and we lost all power to the stage and were made to continue to keep entertaining the crowd, but was just a disaster instead, and to top it all off it was just non-stop raining all show. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I would say Why I'm Not Where You Are. It is the title track of our first EP and I think it sums up the overall feel and sound of our music. Lyrically it was a turning point in our music, instead of writing mostly about missing someone, it was more of a getting over someone song, which has the feel for a lot of our newer material. 

Where can we listen to it?

On Soundcloud at www.soundcloud.com/missing_focus/why-im-not-where-you-are
Or live on YouTube at http://youtu.be/XOQv6prjn4Q

Where can we find out more about your music?
iTunes

www.soundcloud.com/missing_focus
www.facebook.com/pages/Missing-Focus/167901423238742
And find us on Twitter @missing_focus

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
No matter how far our music takes us in this world, our fans will always be the most important thing to us. 

Max Gowan Q&A

Your name:

Max Gowan.

Where are you from?

Raleigh, North Carolina.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

I would describe my music as alternative acoustic, but my next album will have more instrumentation.

Who are your main influences musically?

My main influences are Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams, The Tallest Man on Earth, and this kid from Philadelphia named Alex G. He's only 21 and he is already in my top ten favorite artists of all time.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I don't really have a goal with music that can be measured in numbers. I just want to write, record, and perform the best music I can possibly make. I want to write songs that people actually connect with and want to listen to multiple times. Success would really just be a byproduct of that.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

The highlight of my career was releasing my debut EP Restless Heaven this September. Since I am only 17 years old, my first album release is a really big deal to me. It was a really fun process. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There are tons of moments I want to forget. I've actually had two of my mics fall on me at two separate shows. Just awkward stuff like that. Although I hate things like that at the time, it's pretty hilarious looking back.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I would choose my song "Restless Heaven" because it doesn't quite sound like my other songs, but it sounds like the type of song that I want to continue writing in the future.

Where can we listen to it? 

Maxgowan.bandcamp.com/releases

Where can we find out more about your music?

Twitter: @MaxGowanMusic

Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/maxgowan

Those, other than my bandcamp, are the best two sites to reach me at. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Nothing really, I just hope you enjoy it! 

Albert Phillips Q&A

Your name:
Albert Phillips.
 
Where are your from?
My family is originally from Kilkenny, Ireland, but I grew up in South Trenton, New Jersey.
 
How would you describe yourself?
I think I'm a good person. Musical description: Singer/songwriter/guitarist.
 
What are your main influences musically? 
The biggest influence musically would have to be Oasis, love that band and the way Noel Gallagher writes songs. The Sundays, the guitar sound of that band. Other influences would be: The Cranberries, Catherine the Wheel and The Smiths.
 
What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Originally, it was to get a multi-album deal with a major record company and make tons of money. These days however, it's just to get as much music released as possible and to leave behind a lasting catalog.
 
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why? 
Probably, signing on with music distribution giant CDbaby and getting my debut album Albert Phillips released back in January of 2013 and seeing my music on iTunes and in Sony's music store. 
 
And what's the moment you want to forget? 
The night I played a gig back in November of 2003 in Satellite Beach, Florida, and my voice cracked in the middle of the song I was singing. Ouch. Crazy thing was, it was a song I wrote. Your voice shouldn't crack on a song you write.
 
If you had to pick one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Magnetic, no doubt about it. Best recorded track I've ever done, most likely will end up on my third album Chasing Blue Skyand it has an Oasis vibe to it.
 
Where can we listen to it?
https://soundcloud.com/albert-phillips/magnetic-by-albert-phillips-1
 


Where can we find out more about your music?
http://albertphillips.wix.com/albert-Phillips
https://soundcloud.com/albert-Phillips
https://twitter.com/phillipsongs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Phillips/540921715925888
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AlbertPhillips
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/albert-phillips/id597699100
https://music.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/album/79b021eae708416d9e0e65fc02dfb065/Albert_Phillips/Albert_Phillips
http://www.amazon.com/Albert-Phillips/dp/B00B80YJ44/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1359562606&sr=1-7&keywords=albert+Phillips
 
Anything else you'd like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 
I began playing the guitar at age 15 and I can also play bass as well. I've played in a number of rock bands during my career, with the last being Tyre Iron back in 1983. 
In December of 2002, I submitted a demo to Jewel through her company Soul City Café at the time Jewel was looking for an opening act for her 2003 US tour and I was one of the musicians considered for that spot.
In closing, I just want to say thank you to Greg and RealSoundsOK for the interview. It's been great.

Tired Starling Q&A

Your name: 

Simon O'Connell.

Where are you from? 

Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Name of band: 

Tired Starling - thinking of changing this though.

How would you describe yourself? 

I'm a self-taught guitar player, picked up when I was 15, but dipped in and out until my late 20s when I really started taking it seriously again. I played mostly covers and dabbled a little bit in writing, but it never really clicked until the last year or so, when I felt I had something there. I now try to write on a daily basis (which my job gets in the way of) and sit down with my guitar every evening just trying different stuff. Would like to have more time to sit and write but like I said, work gets in the way!

Who are your main influences musically? 

My main influence is primarily Noel Gallagher, he's been the person that I have really admired and respected musically and as a person over the last 20 odd years. Neil Young has played a big part in my musical journey as well as artists like Paul Weller, Morrissey/Marr and Alex Turner to name a few!

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

This probably sounds like a massive cliche, but I just want people to hear my tunes! Even if one person doesn't like it there will be someone else who does and it might make a difference to their lives! Also the money, fame, women etc that comes with it.......... But i can do without that, and to just sell one album or even a single I'd be very happy!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?  

I haven't been around long enough to have one!

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

As above though i'm sure there will be a few!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

Come Follow Me:  It was the first proper song that I have written and one I really feel has a chance of being something more.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/simon-oconnell-2/come-follow-me-demo2

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://soundcloud.com/simon-oconnell-2  - I try to put regular demos on here as I write them, just rough recordings of me and my acoustic through a mic, my PC and audacity!

Mak Q&A

Your name:

Mak.

Where are you from?

I'm Italian.

How would you describe yourselves?

I'm a guitarist who likes the feeling and emotion that music can give, regardless of what kind of music. I'm creative and i like to experience and learn new things.

Who are your main influences musically?

Slash, Hendrix, Joe Perry, Angus Young, Nuno Bettencourt, Joe Satriani..

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I hope that music can become my only job! 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

My solo career is starting now, and it's too soon for talk about this, however I can say that I have been able to realize my first instrumental album "NOT FOR EVERYBODY" completely alone, all steps from composition to mastering.. in short time I've learn the most possible about music recording, starting from zero. Of course this is not a professional work, but it's a good satisfaction!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There is nothing that I really want to forget.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

It's hard to say.. my music basically is rock but there are most variant for each song.. However I could say "Scream From The Future", because it's a middle ground with the others songs

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/mak-music-1/scream-from-the-future-sample

It is a sample, but you can download the full song for free on http://www.mak-music.com and you can also listen the preview of the all songs 

Where can we find out more about your music?

http://www.mak-music.com

https://twitter.com/Maksly80

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAK/577365629018996

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mak3

https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/not-for-everybody/id814815713?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Everybody-Mak/dp/B00I9FB42G/ref=sr_1_4?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&sr=1-4&keywords=not+for+everybody

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Now I'm working on new songs, but this time is not an Instrumental album; I'm already searching some vocal collaborations! Thanks for this interview! 

Solo outing from Chen Firsel

SCNDS is the first album by Israeli musician Chen Firsel.

The guitar rock artist - based in Tel Aviv - started writing music as a teenager, but things have turned serious in the past few years.

He told RealSoundsOK: "My first album has eight songs that I have recorded by myself with the goal to self-produce and play all the instruments."

You can listen to the tracks below and to find out more about Chen visit facebook.com/chenfirsel or twitter.com/chenfirsel. He is also a member of the band Memory In Plant, who recently did a Q&A with RealSoundsOK that you can read here.

Tathagata Ghosh Q&A

Your name:

Tathagata Ghosh. Friends call me Tat.

Where are you from?

Calcutta, India.

Who else is in your band?

Only me. I am a solo musician.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a guitarist. Other than guitar I also play bass, keyboard, drums. All the instruments in the solo albums, I play myself. I don’t like to be restricted in a single genre. Thus my songs vary from genre to genre. The only thing common between them is they are all instrumental guitar music.

Who are your main influences musically?

Obviously instrumental rock music is my first love. All guitarists of G3 are my most favorite. Then I heard Dream Theater. Again more the instrumental progressive music blew me away. I also liked Blues, Jazz and Country music. But that G3 and DT stuck on my head. More recently I came across Post-rock and Electronica music. They made a great impact on my music.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My music is instrumental. I want my music to speak words without speaking words. I want my music not only to be heard but to be felt. I want my music to be loved.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Being able to connect with international audiences through different social sites. Also discovering new music and getting inspired every day.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Being with my previous band. (I am not against bands. In fact I am forming a band right now.)

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

No single song can represent my music, since all my songs are different from one another – in style, genre, sound and techniques. The title track of the album “It’s Not Real” is definitely the best song of the album with respect to techniques. The second album “A LONELY TREE” was totally different from the first album. In this album I emphasized on melody. The song “We’ll Run Away Together” from this album is definitely a good song to listen to.

Where can we listen to it? 

http://tathagataghosh.bandcamp.com/track/its-not-real

https://soundcloud.com/tatgee/well-run-away-together

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Bandcamp:       https://tathagataghosh.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud:     https://soundcloud.com/tatgee

Myspace:         https://myspace.com/tatgee

Twitter:             https://twitter.com/tatgee_music

MTV:               http://www.mtv.com/artists/tathagata-ghosh-tat/

Youtube:          https://www.youtube.com/user/MrTatgee

Reverbnation:   http://www.reverbnation.com/tathagataghosh

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/TathagataghoshTatgee

Google+           http://google.com/+TathagataGhoshTatgee

Lear Lake Q&A

Your names: 

Chrissy and Dave.

Where are you from?

Bromley, South East London.

Band name:

Lear Lake.

How would you describe yourselves?

We're a song writing duo, who write and perform as a band, and as an acoustic duo.

We don't pigeon hole ourselves into one genre as song/tunes develop in different ways as they form. We go with feel...

Deep, dark,and bluesy morphs into a classic rock feel, soothing beats and light chords turn into soulful/gospel influenced tunes, slide led leads to a southern/Americana. The great array of beats/effects/synths that now at your fingertips gets used in our dance/chillout tracks being polished at the mo.

Every song is a story, and the song needs a musical story board, so we aim to convey the feel, emotion, and meaning as we create..

Who are your main influences musically?

Hmmm..so many and all over the place !!!  

Beethoven, Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith, Beth Hart, Jo Bonnamassa, Robin Trower, Arethra Franklin, Annie Lennox, Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Lauryn Hill, Disclosure, Devlin, Chase and Status, Charlie Wilson, Chemical Brothers, Faithless, Prodigy, Massive Attack, Elbow, Prince.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

For our songs to be appreciated, used, listened and connected too.  Would love to hear one as a James Bond Theme tune. 

To play with a massive orchestra in a big boomy old church.

To see people dancing and happy to one of our songs - bikers doing barn dancing would be extra special..(may need to supply cider kegs). 

To turn on the radio and hear a mainstream station playing us.

Jools Holland....(May need a loo close by tho)!!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Meeting each other and combining our musicality and personalities - the big bang in our universe. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Dave - Jeans splitting and conkers falling out mid gig.

Chrissy - Drinking too much cognac during early days of gigging and recording and hearing it back after...(lesson learnt, it doesn't work)!!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Ooo ever so hard, but Daylight Fades - dream of this one for James Bond.

Where can we listen to it?

http://soundcloud.com/learlake/daylight-fades-radio-edit

Where can we find out more about your music?

soundcloud.com/learlake‎

https://twitter.com/LearLake‎ - @LearLake

https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Crave-Sushi-Lear-Lake/384711458291094

http://www.youtube.com/user/LANDLMUSICSERVICES

Web: http://www.learlake.com/

Aiden Robb Q&A

Your name:

Aiden Robb.

Where are you from?

Keighley, West Yorkshire.

How would you describe yourselves?

I would describe myself as a guitarist mainly, but I was writing songs way before that. I like to learn new things and expand my musical vocabulary as much as I can, which is why a lot of my songs differ greatly to each other.

Who are your main influences musically?

My main influence is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Specifically the song "Snow (Hey oh)", which has one of the greatest guitar riffs I have ever heard. Other influences include Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Rory Gallagher, Led Zeppelin, Joseph Arthur, and many more.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I would really like to be successful in my song writing, and would like a song I've written to be a highly regarded song, even if it isn't recorded by me (but I would prefer it to be my own).

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

So far my career's highlight has been that BBC introducing has listened to two of my songs. The songs haven't been played on the radio though.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I wouldn't forget anything, every piece makes me better, including the bad things.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

A song that I would choose to represent my music is Come With Me, which is one if the better songs I have written. Come With Me is more of a pop style song, and shows a lot of my songwriting skill.

Where can we listen to it?

http://soundcloud.com/aiden-robb-1/come-with-me

Where can we find out more about your music?

Soundcloud.com/aiden-Robb-1

twitter.com/AidenMilesRobb

Youtube.com/aidenmrobb

Gus G heads out on European tour

GUITAR virtuoso Gus G will arrive in the UK later this month as part of a European tour in support of debut solo album I Am The Fire.

Gus - known for his work in Firewind and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band - released the album last month via Century Media Records. His tour is co-headlined with Marty Friedman and Gus will be backed up by Mats Levén (Candlemass, ex. Yngwie Malmsteen/Therion) on vocals, Or Lubianiker on bass and Johan Nunez (Firewind) on drums.

He follows dates in Finland with Sweden, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and France before playing London and Nuneaton in the UK on May 21st and 22nd.

I Am The Fire sees Gus take on guitar, bass and keyboard duties, but he is backed up by a host of famous friends including  drummers Jeff Friedl (A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Devo) and Daniel Erlandsson (Arch Enemy), bassists David Ellefson (Megadeth), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Marty O’Brien (Tommy Lee, We Are The Fallen) as well as Mats Levén (Candlemass, ex. Yngwie Malmsteen/Therion), Blake Allison (Devour The Day), Michael Starr (Steel Panther). Alexia Rodriguez (Eyes Set To Kill), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Jacob Bunton (Adler) and Jeff Scott Soto (TSO, ex Journey) as guest vocalists.

Gus has a billion homes on the internet, but kick off with gusgofficial.com to find out more.