The writing

Interviews

Guitarists passing on hard-won knowledge β€” how to practice, how to record, how to finish something, and how to keep going when it stops being fun. Written since 1996, and still being written.
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Interviews

Interview: Marcelo Roascio

Dan McAvinchey

It's always difficult to label your own music, but I think of it as instrumental classic rock. I like to compose actual songs, not guitar exercises or improvisations which will only appeal to other guitar players.

October-November 2015
Interviews

Interview: Gary Borden

Dan McAvinchey

I find that you must have constant activity to create and maintain the interest of people. Facebook is a great way to share new projects with friends and fellow musicians but it doesn't reach people outside your circle.

August-September 2015
Interviews

Interview: Paul Bibbins

Dan McAvinchey

People tell me that my music sounds unique for this day and age. I don't know if that's actually the case; but I will tell you that I'll try to sound as differently as I can, for as long as I can.

August-September 2015
Interviews

Interview: Eliot Lewis

Dan McAvinchey

I decided to release these EPs of 5 songs every 6-8 months - it's a big enough body of work to allow the listener to get involved in, and it keeps the people interested in my music always engaged in new songs.

June-July 2015
Interviews

Interview: Dave Paris

Dan McAvinchey

I use a lot of variety. I swap between acoustic and electric, alternate tunings, slide, and various techniques. This CD features dobro, eBow, talkbox, even a cigar box guitar!

June-July 2015
Interviews

Interview: Lucas Fagundes

Dan McAvinchey

I have been getting great feedback and a huge growth on social media, though. To me this proves quality is still the most important thing and can go a long way on its own.

June-July 2015
Interviews

Interview: Michael A. Ruelas

Dan McAvinchey

I strive to be the best I can, and I do that by incorporating everything I know into my music and I never stop learning.

April-May 2015
Interviews

Interview: Alex Baboian

Dan McAvinchey

There was no goal or idea to create an album initially. The music on the album was gathered from many musical ideas that I had had over the last two years or so and were composed in many different places.

February-March 2015
Interviews

Interview: Michael Cerna

Dan McAvinchey

I didn't want that DIY vibe for the artwork, or the sound/production. I wanted a quality product that will stand the test of time, and that meant really deciding what I could do myself, and what would be better left to a dedicated professional.

February-March 2015
Interviews

Interview: Adrian Weiss

Dan McAvinchey

My vision and formal concept of an album is always a full length CD. And IΒ¬Β₯m surprised at how many people actually order my physical CD album. Actually IΒ¬Β₯m selling quite a few more CDs than downloads.

February-March 2015
Interviews

Interview: Adam Law

Dan McAvinchey

I've found Youtube to be a great platform for exposure. It's awesome what you can do in a home studio with a GoPro, software and a few days.

December-January 2014
Interviews

Interview: Stus Rollins

Dan McAvinchey

RadioAirplay.com - there is nothing like getting your stuff heard and getting new fans. It costs but it works and does generate interested fans who like your music.

December-January 2014
Interviews

Interview: Ariel Eshcar

Dan McAvinchey

I personally think that since everything is in HD today, it gets too clear sometimes, and then, the enchanted atmosphere is not there.

December-January 2014
Interviews

Interview: George Robinson

Dan McAvinchey

The upside of the democratization of music production is that anyone can create and market their own music. The downside of the democratization of music production is that anyone can create and market their own music.

August-September 2014
Interviews

Interview: Chris Fury

Dan McAvinchey

Although social media can be great to connect with fans, who knows when Facebook or Twitter will disintegrate? My advice to other musicians would be to not put all your eggs in one basket, especially if you don't own that basket!

August-September 2014
Interviews

Interview: Jartse Tuominen

Dan McAvinchey

It's having different layers on songs - melodies and different time signatures under melodies - that makes songs interesting. ItΒ¬Β₯s cool when you are able to find new things from songs after listening several times.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Roo Chapus

Isa D.

It is true that instrumental rock appeals to a specialized audience compared to classic rock. Last year, I formed the band Reign Over Obscurity, which is progressive metal. There are vocals in this project so it will probably reach a wider audience.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Dejan Toracki

Dan McAvinchey

I recently posted a couple of tracks on Soundcloud and my track "Atomic Shadow" went bananas with over 50,000 listens within a couple of weeks. That was the largest single networking event I've experienced.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Rob Ward

Dan McAvinchey

In general, my newest compositions are always my favorites. Creating is what it is all about for me. I rarely go back and revisit old pieces. My current material is always representative of where my head is at musically at any particular point in time.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Mitch Chmara

Dan McAvinchey

My first CD with my name on it was self-released. They recorded me for free so I would have a product out but it is a live CD, recorded in a club on a night I didn't know I was to be recorded.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Chris Surma

Dan McAvinchey

My latest album was self-released and to be honest I completely forgot that there was even an option of being on a label. I never attempted to send a disc anywhere asking to join a label.

June-July 2014
Interviews

Interview: Marty Rice

Dan McAvinchey

A lot of people don't realize that the guitar is a great melodic instrument, and can easily take the job of a singer. You can take a vocal melody, play it on a guitar and make it just as expressive or more so.

April-May 2014
Interviews

Interview: Ivan Rivera

Dan McAvinchey

I play instrumental blues and rock. Freddie King's instrumental records really had an impact on me. I can't sing but those records showed me there's still a lot you could say without vocals.

April-May 2014
Interviews

Interview: Mika Tyyska

Roo Chapus

Putting together an album, the way I tend to do them, is a long and hard journey. It took three years between the first and second album.

June-July 2013
Interviews

Interview: Andre Tonelli

Dan McAvinchey

The unexpected success of "Fill The Sky" has spawned tons of other peripheral stuff that also requires a lot of time and effort such as interviews, endorsements, and guest appearances.

April-May 2013
Interviews

Interview: Todd Ferguson

Dan McAvinchey

I wanted this CD to sound like four musicians jamming live in a studio, and if that's what it sounds like to someone, then that makes it better.

April-May 2013
Interviews

Interview: Strat A. Kat

Dan McAvinchey

I'm not taking myself to seriously. And I think that's a good thing... music is supposed to be fun.

February-March 2013
Interviews

Interview: Joe Stump

Dan McAvinchey

I've got a killer new record out on Lion Music which is being promoted with a digital, electronic press kit (EPK).

December-January 2012
Interviews

Interview: Dan McAvinchey

B.J. Black

The online magazine has been going for over 16 years, and the e-commerce aspect of the business wound up completing a 15 year run - not bad considering the narrow focus our store had on instrumental music.

August-September 2012
Interviews

Interview: Samuli Federley

Roo Chapus

Another thing when making living as a guitarist is to be sure to make good songs. The majority of listeners doesn't care about flashy solos, they want to hear cool songs.

August-September 2012
Interviews

Interview: Jon Herington

Dan McAvinchey

My listening isn't biased towards guitar players. In fact, I think I might even avoid seeking out guitar players' recordings, because I've had better luck trying to get clear about my own approach to the instrument.

August-September 2012
Interviews

Interview: Gianni "Jana" Rojatti

Guglielmo Malusardi

You need to roll up your sleeves. Play well, have a great sound and offer a proper show - not just a demonstration of your skills and abilities.

April-May 2012
Interviews

Interview: Dino Fiorenza

Dan McAvinchey

I had several proposals with major labels, but now the music business is really hard - no one does anything serious for you.

February-March 2012
Interviews

Interview: Guitarsnake

Dan McAvinchey

Today it is quite hard to set yourself apart in the instrumental rock domain. There are a lot of great guitarists! Unfortunately, lots of them do the same kind of stuff.

December-January 2011
Interviews

Interview: Hedras Ramos

Dan McAvinchey

I believe the Internet it's a great window to the world, it's a great tool to communicate with other musicians, and people who can help you with your career; it's definitely great for business!

October-November 2011
Interviews

Interview: Jarle H. Olsen

Dan McAvinchey

Instrumental music is pure and real music! It has all the focus on the music and not on some cheap love story. The most exquisite music does not need words to express itself.

October-November 2011
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