Dan McAvinchey

Composition really separates an artist from someone who is soley a musician, in my opinion. If I am to be viewed in any way, I would like it to be as a composer.

Running your own label is the ultimate outlet for creating your music and getting it out to people. The alternative is sitting at home waiting for a call from a "real" label. Believe me, pinning your hopes on someone else making it happen for you is very frustrating and can turn you into a very weird person.

The advantages to working with a label is the feedback you get while writing. On my previous CDs I was pretty much on my own so it was nice to get some feedback for a change.

I have a lot of experience thanks to my debut album. In fact, for "Suspension" I did everything by myself - production, distribution, promotion - so I know what to do. I know which magazines will be interested and which will not.

I have many goals and options, but I`ll take it day by day. It`s kinda scary to think what could happen in five years. I hope to accomplish something really special by that time.

I do any interview I can arrange to promote the CD. My partner has been marketing all over the internet and working in conjunction with our record company to keep getting press and putting the word out about my CD.

Being your own record label eliminates having to sell your soul. You also have full control over the creative aspects of your music, you own 100% of your publishing, you don`t put yourself in debt, and you call all the shots.

I just love instrumental guitar music. There is something great about hearing somebody write music that will keep people`s interest without having the vocal to rely on.

That`s the beauty of instrumental music, when listening to it, you can imagine or feel whatever you want.

Since instrumental guitar music isn`t a big seller, it gets short changed quite often. As a matter of fact, finding the Guitar Nine website was a revelation to me. I didn`t realize there were so many musicians doing instrumental music.

I like to listen to players who take you on a journey and have a clear direction and build-up to their solos. Kind of like a composition within the composition.

I`ve never had a specific practice routine other than practicing everything out there! When I`m writing I tend to focus on any problems a song throws up, and I put a lot of work into melody and solo construction.