artistQA
Latest about artistQA

Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith on Tears For Fears’ restless creativity and the beauty of independence
By Jonathan Horsley published
Orzabal and Smith talk collaboration, high-concept pop-rock production and songwriting chemistry, and why they've never been just a “couple of guys with synths and a backing tape”

Pat Metheny on how a reconfigured baritone opened “another universe” of sound to explore on MoonDial
By Jonathan Horsley published
MoonDial finds Metheny in the company of just a baritone and ribbon mic, and yet it takes jazz into a twilight world existing beyond time, where, he says, there is no future, no past

Joe Preston on Melvins, Thrones, Sunn O))), and his career as the underground’s first-call bassist
By Andrew Daly published
Bass legend Joe Preston breaks cover to reflect on his career with Melvins, High On Fire, Earth and more, and admits that trying to make a living from music was his biggest mistake

Lee Ritenour on musical identity, playing BB King’s guitar and the secrets to improv
By Jonathan Horsley published
As Ritenour returns with Dave Grusin and a record celebrating the music of Brasil, the jazz fusion maestro and session legend tells us why we should expect the unexpected at his shows

"There are no safety nets in The White Stripes": Jack White talks gear and hipsters in 2007
By Total Guitar published
In this in-depth chat from 2007, White talks about the recording of the White Stripes' Icky Thump, hails Nashville for keeping it real and explains why music is not fun

“Why you typically don’t lead a six-piece band with an acoustic guitar is because you can’t be heard! I am shocked that we are able to pull that one off”: Julian Lage on the electric shuffles and engineering miracles behind his most daring album yet
By Jonathan Horsley published
The jazz guitar maestro shares the secrets to guitar phrasing and discusses the irrational melodies and Eno-inspired “sound forward” approach behind his new album, Speak To Me

"All of that other stuff – the outboard gear, the electronics – can continue to evolve but the thing that you hold close to your body, that becomes part of you… you don’t have to keep evolving that" – Fender's Justin Norvell on heritage and progression
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Big F’s executive VP of product says eyes peeled for more Road Worn finishes, artist signature Acoustasonics, and more special releases to celebrate 70 years of the Stratocaster

“We are the most difficult simple band. I’ve often heard guys coming up to us saying, ‘You guys are just playing barre chords!’ I am glad you think it is that simple!”– Troy Van Leeuwen on QOTSA's musical illusions and gear secrets
By Jonathan Horsley published
Best of 2023: Troy Van Leeuwen checks in from The End Is Nero Tour to talk fuzz favourites, filling in for Dave Navarro in Jane's Addiction, and why no one pedal alone can recreate Queens Of The Stone Age's guitar tone

“I really wanted to be accepted in that purist world of punk and hardcore. You plug your guitar in and boom! Instead we had 10 guitars... all broken and rejigged”: Thurston Moore on Sonic Youth, taming feedback and musical epiphanies
By Jonathan Horsley published
Reflecting on a life of warping electric guitar norms, Moore discusses punk's duality, guitar technique, environmental sound, and taking his sound beyond the boundary

“There is a lot of performance anxiety with students and their teacher... But with a video you can watch it a million times over. No one’s judging you”: Marty Schwartz on teaching guitar in the 21st century
By Jonathan Horsley published
The master teacher behind the Marty Music YouTube channel discusses personal tuition vs video, how tech is helping more people learn, and reveals the player he would want a lesson from
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.