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Randy Ellefson is a highly regarded, altogether exciting six-stringer from Gaithersburg, Maryland (USA) who reveals his style as instrumental hard rock and metal, as one can clearly experience on his latest album, "The Firebard".  His favorite guitar is a Homemade Electric (second one built). Ellefson has played guitar since 1984, and freely acknowledges his career aspiration, "I’m working toward two more rock albums
in the same vein as the first, but with some
additional approaches to composition, song structure,
and instrumentation. I’m going after licensing
opportunities with the music, plus endorsements, and
other musicians to play on the next CD, most notably a
drummer. An all-acoustic guitar album is also in the
works. Increasing the recording and production quality
is part of my current plans, as songs for the next
album already exist and are ready for recording.
Spreading my fan base with every release is something
I work on every day."
When requested to reveal his ultimate effect for the guitar, Ellefson answered back with, "Distortion," and then brought up his musicial goals, "Though I can play fast when needed, I
tend to focus on melody and reaching a wider audience
who is interested in songs more than speed and scales.
Nonetheless, my current musical goals included more
variation in the lead guitar treatment, such as
alternation between guitar licks and themes, and more
guitar sounds within a song. Adding to what I can
already do helps keep things interesting, and every
artist wants to grow." He fervently hopes to one day study engineering (to have greater control over his
recordings, since he is currently the sole engineer and
producer), and is at this time listening to Evergrey, Iron Maiden and King Diamond. His primary fulfillment? "Having a new compositional idea
or approach to guitar playing is what drives me,
inspires me, and gives my life meaning, purpose, and
the will to put up with all those unpleasant parts of
life," he affirms conclusively.
Ellefson concludes by mentioning continuing and future undertakings succinctly, by saying, "Right now I am
promoting The Firebard relentlessly, and when I have
time, toying with a new midi keyboard. Songs for the
next two albums exist already, so I am playing them
and imagining alternate arrangements. Recording may
start by summer’s end, and I’m hoping to have a new
drummer lined up soon."
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
