The video above is a teaser for a series of nine chronicles recorded with master luthier Juha Ruokangas from Ruokangas Guitars (www.ruokangas.com). After doing an interview with Juha during the first Holy Grail Guitar Show, I wanted to go even deeper into the lutherie world and start the Luthier Chronicle to learn more about the wonderful instrument we all love.
- Published in Interviews
I am a big fan of the work of Tom Anderson as I think he builds with his team amongst the best superstrat of the market.
- Published in All, Interviews
Here's the interview done with Ola Englund from Sweden at the 2015 NAMM show.
- Published in All, Interviews
Here's the interview I did with Kiko Loureiro during the 2014 Hellfest before he went onstage with Angra, the brazilian metal band.
Kiko Loureiro interview during the 2014 Hellfest
Get the Backstage Pass
to view the full interview and much more
Enjoy,
Pierre.
You enjoyed this extract?
Get the Backstage Pass to watch the full video and more
- Published in Interviews, News
Here's the video interview done for the Zakk Wylde interview during the 2015 NAMM show. Zakk had just announced a couple of days before the opening of the NAMM that he was launching a line of musical products starting with electric guitars and amps under the brand Wylde Audio.
- Published in All, Interviews
Here is the summary of the first Winter NAMM show covered for The Guitar Channel. I went several times the Musikmesse, so going to the NAMM was a logical step in the development of The Guitar Channel. I have not been disappointed with this trip to Anaheim: plenty of cool meetings, 20 interviews (see below), photos by the hundred (to be found on the private community), and a good dose of decibels every day!
Full list of interviews
Here's the list of the 20 interviews done during this 2015 Winter NAMM.
Free Content
This is my personal selection of the best guitar albums for 2014. Four very different musical worlds but with the same intensity in the six string domain. When I write "guitar albums" I certainly do not mean "music for guitar players"! This is four musical pieces that will appeal to any music fans, and that's the most important thing.
Rock - "Uniparental Advisory" What About Your Mom
It's coming back from the Issoudun Guitar Festival in 2013 (yes, I have written 2013) that I discovered the first album from Brice Delage power trio. I was in the car with Ruddy Meicher and Brice made us listen to the latest mix of the album. It was great stuff despite the listening conditions not optimal (his car radio, highway, etc.). So I was looking forward to the official release of this CD. It did not disappoint me: it's awesome! This is rock'n'roll at its best with Brice in great shape supported by a brilliant Xavier Zolli on bass and Franck Amand on drums.If you only buy one disc for 2014, buy this one! If you understand French, listen Brice Delage and Xavier Zolli in interview to find out more. Watch the super cool cover they did of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger from Daft Punk:
Metal - "Enigma Black Opera" by Stéphan Forté
Stéphan Forté continues his journey with a very specific approach that gives an excellent result. Personally it always takes me time to adjust to enter the world of Stéphan because his music is very intense (that's a compliment!). But once this little effort, one is rewarded because we can then appreciate in full his compositions. This is Shred yes, but Shred with a real musical discourse.Listen to audio interview Stephan talk about his album. Watch this Backstage Pass video with an interview where Stéphan explains guitar in hand how he composed Enigma and how he works every day. Here's an extract:
Jazz - "One" Jonathan Kreisberg
On the advice of Bruno Pelletier-Bacquaert (Jazz French professional guitarist based in San Francisco) I discovered Jonathan Kreisberg who is one of the hottest jazz player of the moment. His album One is wonderful. It includes such gems like a very moving version of Alleluia. Jonathan and his guitar just happens to transcribe all the emotion of this powerful song.During one of his visits to Paris with Dr. Lonnie Smith, I had the opportunity to meet with Jonathan to interview a guitar in his hand in the basement of a hotel. A very good memories of 2014 with a very talented musician who does not hesitate to play with the Jazz guitar codes playing with effects, overdrive, etc. Here's an extract of the video interview I did with him. Get the Backstage Pass to view it in full:
World - "In Balance" Shaï Sebbag
With this 3rd album, Shaï Sebbag gives us very polished compositions that explore musical colors that are captivating, from unbridled jazz to a captivating Orientalism. We even forget very quickly that there is only one guitar on this album except for a beautiful song with Tania. You think the acoustic guitar has remained stuck in the golden age of Marcel Dadi ? Jump on this album for an update. Shaï offers with a few other virtuosos of the six strings a bright future for fingerpicking.Here's a medley of Shaï live: [cta]
The best guitar albums of 2014
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Free Content
Well, here we are, the American adventure of The Guitar Channel starts in a few hours! The NAMM show means a lot for musicians in general and especially for guitarists as it is a major event that has strong impact, especially on our respective gear fantasies! Indeed it is often during this event dedicated to the music industry in Los Angeles, California in January that are launched instruments, amps, effects, accessories, etc. that will make us dream throughout the year.
Logistics and planing
For me beeing present at the NAMM is the opportunity to meet musicians, luthiers and manufacturers impossible to interview otherwise because they do not come to France. As for the Musikmesse where I go every year, I tried to optimize my time on setting up of a maximum of appointments while keeping some availability for what is difficult to predict: an impromptu interview with star, a cool demo to shoot, the discussions with the countless pros of the music business that will be on site, etc. The airfare and hotel are booked long time. Wanting absolutely to limit the budget, I opted to avoid to rent a car, so I took a relatively hotel near the Convention Center allowing me to go on foot.
The interviews planned
I will not list here the appointments already set because I know how that can change at the last moment. Suffice it to say that there will be big names of the six (and four!) strings, great guitar manufacturers and effects and instrument makers. I also intend to shoot some video chronicle with my "special envoys" on the spot: they are musicians I've interviewed in the past and who are on site. This is an opportunity to have multiple views of the same event. As this is my first NAMM, I'm also going there in observation mode. Indeed although my past experience during several Musikmesse allow me to anticipate in part how it will happen, everyone agrees that the Winter NAMM (as opposed to Summer NAMM being held in Nashville summer) is a whole other planet. We'll see.How to have the latest news from The Guitar Channel
Depending on the data connection I will have on my iPhone, I'll do a live coverage on Twitter on @theguitarchnnl and on my Instagram account theguitarchnnl.Every day I will also upload my harvest of images on a photo albums reserved for the Backstage Pass owners on the Google+ private community. I will be your eyes on site! Here's an example with pictures taken in Berlin during the Holy Grail Guitar Show:
Get the Backstage Pass
A 6-day stay in Los Angeles is a budget of about US$ 2,300. This is a big financial gamble that I took so if you are on the verge of taking a Backstage Pass or supporting the show on the Patreon page, now would be a great time! :-) Don't forget that The Guitar Channel is completely independent, 100% passion and 0% ads with the only revenues coming from the Backstage Pass owners and backers on Patreon. Until I see you among the backstagers, I go back to the final preparations for this week which promises to be exciting. Pierre. PS: if you are onsite ping me on Twitter @theguitarchnnl or on the Facebook page!Support the show on the Patreon page for the price of a coffee per month.
The Backstage Pass will give you access to great exclusive video content, deals and the private community.
NAMM show: D-day minus 1
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Premium Access
Doug Kauer interview from Kauer Guitars at the 2014 Holy Grail Guitar Show
Monday, 05 January 2015
Here's a Doug Kauer interview. Meeting with Doug in Berlin during the Holy Grail Guitar Show was one of the highlight for me as I am a big fan of the look of his guitars.
- Published in Interviews, News
Philip Sayce is a guitar player who already had a very rich career in the music business. He's is really making his thing with a lot of passion and a huge talent. For the release of Influence, his latest album, I had the pleasure to do a Skype interview.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
- Published in Interviews
You enjoyed this extract ?
Get your Backstage Pass to watch the full video and more!
I had the pleasure to do an audio interview with Jon Herington in 2011 for the release of his awesome solo album Shine, (Shine, Shine).
- Published in Interviews, News
In this Strymon Flint review, don't be fooled by the analog appearance of this pedal as there're only buttons and switches, no display. It actually hides a powerful digital processor that produces some very cool sounds.
It has 3 types of effects for tremolo and reverb as well as the usual adjustment knobs. Note that the pedal is full of dual functions for example to change the order tremolo into reverb or the opposite, you can also choose if there is a boost when you activate the effect, etc.
- Published in Gear
Free Content
Frank Deimel Interview at the 2014 Holy Grail Guitar Show
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Frank Deimel is based in Berlin and is also part of the European Guitar Builders association team who organized the Holy Grail Guitar Show so it was not a surprise to see him during the week-end.
- Published in Interviews, News
The plane ticket to for Los Angeles is booked. I just need to find me accommodation at a reasonable price for 5 nights from 21 to 26 January. If you have family or friends in L.A., please let me know!!
I'm super excited to finally go to the NAMM show.
- Published in News
Premium Access
Sophie Dockx interview from Dorian Guitars at the Holy Grail Guitar Show
Saturday, 06 December 2014
There is not a lot of women in the world of lutherie so I am always ready to jump on one when I meet one. So here's a Sophie Dockx interview. Sophie was at the Holy Grail Guitar show for Dorian Guitars. She is guitar luthier but for Dorian she is the designer of the instruments.
- Published in All, Interviews
Here's an Adam Miller interview. Adam was in Paris for the promo tour of the Premier Builders Guild to demo the Baker guitars and the Tone King amps at Guitars Addicts (one of the best guitar shop we have in Paris, www.guitarsaddicts.com). It was the perfect opportunity to do an audio interview guitar in hand with a musician who is as awesome on acoustic as he is on electric.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
- Published in Interviews
Free Content
Hall of Thanks of guitar builders who support The Guitar Channel
Wednesday, 03 December 2014
Here's a special post to mention all the guitar builders who support what I do on The Guitar Channel by subscribing to an annual Backstage Pass. You have no idea what it means to me when a guitar builder shows his appreciation for my work.
- Published in Interviews, News
Free Content
Jens Ritter instruments – 2014 Holy Grail Guitar show
Wednesday, 03 December 2014
Jens Ritter is one of the guitar designer you know even though you don't know his name for sure. That's usually how popular his designs are. I was very happy to meet him and do an interview during the show (see an extract below).
Photo album
One of the innovation brought by Jens for the Holy Grail Guitar Show was this incredible guitar based on his famous Princess Isabella model covered by real Converse fabric logo.
- Published in Interviews, News
Free Content
Discover the interesting aluminium guitars from Relish Guitars
Wednesday, 03 December 2014
Relish Guitars are made out of aluminium. I had already heard about their product and thought it was interesting to learn some more about their technology.
- Published in All, Interviews, News
Free Content
2014 Holy Grail Guitar Show photos – Day 1
Friday, 28 November 2014
Below are a small selections of the 200+ photos I took during the Holy Grail Guitar Show.
- Published in News
Free Content
Juha Ruokangas interview – Builder of the Captain Nemo guitar and the Valvebucker
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Juha Ruokangas was one of the guitar builder I really wanted to meet during the Holy Grail Guitar Show, that's why I was thrilled to do a 45min video interview with him. Juha has established a brand so highly regarded in the guitar world that I had a tons of questions to ask him.
- Published in Interviews
Premium Access
Innovative luthier Ulrich Teuffel interview – 2014 Holy Grail Guitar show
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Ulrich Teuffel is one of the reason I came to Berlin for the Holy Grail Guitar Show. In fact when we met earlier this year in Francfort for the Musikmesse, he told me at the end of the interview we did there that I really should come to Berlin. At the time it seemed like a distant project I was not sure I could finance.
- Published in All, Interviews
Below are a small selections of the 200+ photos I took during the Holy Grail Guitar Show.
Free Content
2014 Holy Grail Guitar show – The best luthier show in the world
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Let me say it upfront the 2014 Holy Grail Guitar Show was a great success. It is without doubt the best luthiers salon I've ever been to.
- Published in Interviews, News
Premium Access
Luthier Ken Parker interview at the 2014 Holy Grail Guitar show
Saturday, 22 November 2014
It was one of the highlight of the week-end in Berlin to do a Ken Parker interview during the Holy Grail Guitar Show. Ken is a living legend amongst guitar builders, he is as famous as he is nice to meet and easy to talk to.
- Published in All, Interviews
Following the advice from Bruno Pelletier-Bacquaert I added a couple of jazzmen to my radar in order to have more Jazz guitar players featured on the show. Gilad Hekselman was in Paris in July for one night at the Duc des Lombards, I took this opportunity to interview him before the concert.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
- Published in Interviews, News
