Articles by: Sam Drower

Coheed & Cambria guitarist Travis Stever on his love of Van Halen, the 10 albums that changed his life and new band L.S Dunes

By Sam Drower published 11 November 22

"I got to play on the two best records that were released this year – that's how I feel about it"

8 tips to help bassists to stay inspired and freshen up their playing

By Sam Drower published 5 September 22

Staying creative as a bass player, both solo and with other musicians

10 honest live soundcheck tips for musicians from a sound engineer

By Sam Drower last updated 18 August 22

Real-world advice to improve your soundchecks and gigs

Interview: Perturbator's James Kent and Cult Of Luna's Johannes Persson on their synth / guitar post-metal crossover Final Light

By Sam Drower published 14 July 22

"Rather than trying to redefine what we do individually, we put our strengths together"

Alt-J’s Joe Newman: “My relationship with playing guitar has changed... in lockdown I got really into guitar YouTubers. I started readdressing how I wanted to play”

By Sam Drower published 24 December 21

Ahead of the February release of Alt-J’s new album, The Dream, Newman joined us to talk songwriting, his rekindled love for guitar, and the revolutionary Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster

Video: Jon Gomm talks us through his signature Ibanez guitars

By Sam Drower published 24 September 21

The UK acoustic maestro talks us through his Ibanez JGM10 signature acoustic and explains the differences with the JGM5

Chris Broderick interview: "I've always had an affinity for Jackson since even before I knew how to play guitar"

By Sam Drower published 24 September 21

The Age Of Defiance and former Megadeth guitarist on his new signature models

Skindred bassist Dan Pugsley talks Laney Digbeth amps and recording a new album

By Sam Drower published 24 September 21

"I'm trying to do something on this record where once the main guitars and vocals are done, I'm listening back to my bass parts for moments where I can potentially move things"

Dirty Loops' Jonah Nilsson interview: "I think that's the most important thing about being a musician; together, you're stronger"

By Sam Drower published 23 August 21

As the Quincy Jones-approved Swedish vocal and instrumental maestro releases his first solo album, we talk covering Michael Jackson and writing the soundtrack of his life so far

Emily Wolfe interview: "Knowing a lot about the gear side of things can really help you accomplish the sound you have in your head"

By Sam Drower published 12 July 21

The Epiphone artist talks marrying fuzz blues with pop hooks

Blood Red Shoes’ Laura-Mary Carter: 10 albums that changed my life – “Pixies are one of our biggest influences. That's why Steve and I both sing“

By Sam Drower published 25 June 21

The vocalist/guitarist talks new EP Ø and the inspiration of Elliot Smith, Nirvana, Hole and Babes In Toyland

The future for live music and 7 tips on performing online with Tesseract bassist Amos Williams

By Sam Drower published 24 June 21

Back To Live: Insights and ideas on how bands can redefine their live performances

"It sent my guitar playing, or the thought of what I could do, in a new direction" – AFI's Jade Puget on the 10 albums that changed my life

By Sam Drower published 24 May 21

From Depeche Mode to Jawbreaker and Robert Johnson

K.Flay: "Collaboration decreases pressure, and when you decrease pressure and expectation you make better music"

By Sam Drower last updated 21 May 21

Interview: As the crossover artist returns with a rock-driven EP featuring Tom Morello and Travis Barker, she explains why guitar is the instrument she knows best

Tetrarch guitarist Diamond Rowe: "We're really looking forward to doing some big things"

By Sam Drower published 22 April 21

The US four-piece are metal's ones to watch in 2021 with their new album Unstable

"We feel we managed to reach the rock sound we've been looking for for many years" – MONO's Takaakira 'Taka' Goto talks new live album and 22 years together

By Sam Drower last updated 3 March 21

Beyond The Past captures the Japanese instrumentalists with the Platinum Anniversary Orchestra

"I love exploring and channelling these different pieces of me from these different eras" – Nothing,Nowhere on Trauma Factory and the 10 albums that changed his life

By Sam Drower published 4 February 21

“I still get tripped out when reading comments from people saying that my music saved their life," admits Joe Mulherin

"This album is just crushingly sad" – Emma Ruth Rundle chooses the 10 albums that changed her life

By Sam Drower last updated 19 February 21

Best of 2020: This pick of key albums from ERR's life reflects her musical diversity

Interview: The future for live music and 7 tips on performing online with Tesseract bassist Amos Williams

By Sam Drower published 17 December 20

"I think you could see a lot more solo artists and singer songwriters come up through this, as well as instrumentalists who may not have yet had that opportunity"

Thou guitarist Andy Gibbs: 5 players who blew my mind

By Sam Drower published 29 October 20

Matt Pike and Billy Corgan are among the guitarists who lit the fire under Gibbs' downtuned, slo-mo riffing and songwriting

MonoNeon talks new Fender American Professional II basses and how working with Prince inspired his own music

By Sam Drower published 19 October 20

"Those times playing music with Prince at Paisley Park was life-changing"

The Pineapple Thief's Bruce Soord talks new album Versions Of The Truth, Gavin Harrison and his 5 tips for musicians

By Sam Drower last updated 26 August 20

“Having someone as creative as Gavin Harrison on board, I would be a fool not to utilise that in the songwriting as much as I could"

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