 |
Interviews May 2007
Would you like to be a feature guitarist? Click here for submission information.
|
 |
|
An interview with DawnyVic |
Indieguitarists.com Interviews | An interview with Rick Zunigar |
|
1. Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured. I was very lucky to have parents who were very supportive. Fortunately, I'd been brought up with music from a very early age. My dad was a drummer and my mom a keyboard player. They played in bands when they were younger. My dad worked in a music shop so it was easy for him to buy me instruments 'under the counter' so I had a good start. It meant I could pay guitar for 8 or more hours a day and not be nagged to do other things. Also, our house was an old telephone exchange that mom and dad converted into a house. It meant that we had a very large living room, ideal for rehearsals, and that it was soundproofed. Originally I was brought up on a mix of 60's rock’n roll and 80's pop. When I got into guitar, I started to listen to more rock n roll and soon moved on to metal, Iron Maiden especially, but I also got into early Metallica, Megadeth and Ozzy Osbourne. I was very heavily influenced on the lead and rhythm guitar by metal. Later, I started listening to stuff like U2, Nirvana and Radiohead. I loved Jonny Greenwood because he made actually being able to play cool again. 2. Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential? My dad, obviously. A fine drummer himself, he used to play for The Rockin Vickers- infamous for unleashing Lemmy on the world! I had a huge thing for Iron Maiden at one time. I had to learn every note of every song and spent much of my time doing that. A big catalyst lately is getting back into my original influences- Duran Duran, Madonna, Prince etc. There some great guitar work in those guys that is often overlooked. 3. How would you describe your sound? Guitar wise- I don't know. I'd like to think In was a cross between Jimi Hendrix (well wouldn't we all!) Matt Bellamy from Muse and The Edge. Band wise- We are like Goldfrapp with guitars and Skunk Anansie in an electro punk blender. Both are quotes from other people I think sum us up well. 4. When is the official release date for "Bedroom Superstar"? It will be out at all good download sites on May 1st- World-wide. 5. Where did you record your latest CD and who was involved in the recording and production of it? It was recorded in a few Bedrooms in Sheffield and London, England- hence the title. It was all recorded and produced by me and my partner in crime - Ditch GBH- he is the other half of Scarlet Blonde and another bloody fine guitarist (more of that on album 2!). 6. How involved are you in the recording process of the projects you have worked on? Completely involved 100%. I don't do democracies well. I'm much more of a musical dictator. That's why Scarlet Blonde works. There 2 of us, we both have absolutely the same vision and know what we want and how to get it. I really respect bands who are 3 or 4 people who write together- I'd be going crazy! 7. Who are the current members of your band? As stated me and Ditch GBH 8. How do you feel about playing to a live audience? I love it, the more the merrier. 9. Describe some ways in which an audience has effected your performance? I can't play to an empty room. I am certain 20,000 is easier than 20. Its really hard to get into it at small gigs when there's only one man and his dog. I hope I don't have to do them again! 10. Would you agree or disagree that music is a language? Yes, I agree. Music is the only way I've ever been able to express myself properly. I am quite shy really so it gives me a chance to shout my feelings out loud. 11. What does your live set up consist of? Guitars- I play JJ Hucke 'Scarab' guitar which I was lucky enough to design thanks to my dad getting me an endorsement deal years ago (as he did with Picato Musicians strings which I also still use and still Endorse). I also have a second JJ Hucke- Elenium, which I use from time to time. It is probably the loudest guitar on the planet so I have to be careful. From there I go into a Boss GT-8. I don't use Amps. The amp simulators in the GT-8 are superb and I don't see the point in lugging a massive amp around. I've done that for years, I used to take 3 Marshall Stacks around with me, but no more. That's all I need. 12. Who does your booking? Are you under management? We don't have management. Both Ditch and I have a lot of experience and have found that we have got a lot further without a manager than we ever did with. Booking wise, we have just appointed someone to that job and we sure she'll be fantastic. It's bookings@hypermediarecordings.com for anyone interested in contacting our booking agent, Fran. 13. What are your plans for the summer of 2007? As many gigs/festivals/appearances as we can do. Whether it be in the UK, America or anywhere else. We were hoping to tour the states this summer but due to the toughening up of visa rules, it will more likely be in the fall. 14. Have you ever insured your music equipment? If so, with what company and would you recommend them to other musicians? Yes. Musicguard. They are absolutely and without question the best company out there. 15. What are some of your favorite venues to play? Wembley stadium (if it ever gets finished)! One of the best venues in London is The Luminiare. A great PA, a great engineer, great staff and cheap beer. 16. What music organisations are you affiliated with? PPL and Catco mainly. We will be PRS registered before long but MCPS, the mechanical Royalty Company in the UK, are dying as mechanical releases start to fade away. 17. Is there a venue that you play regularly at? We were running our own nights, Scarlet Blonde presents, at The Luminaire. We'll probably start that up again at some time. Right now we are too busy with the release and so on. 18. What are your musical goals for the next five years? Aside from world domination? I'd like to bringout an album every year for the next 5 years and tour accordingly. The goal is to make Scarlet Blonde a long term thing with a strong core fan base and not just a flash in the pan here today gone tomorrow act. I know it'll take hard work, but I'm more than up for that!
For more info on DawnyVic visit: www.scarletblonde.com |
|
1. Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured. RZ: as a boy I would listen to my parents record collection which was made up of afro Latin jazz like Tito Rodriguez, Machito, Cal Tjader, and jazz, Bird, Billy Eckstein and jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery and many others. My mother could sing very good and had some experience singing in radio city music may be back in the early 50s late 40s in New York, she was the first to get me a guitar and encourage me. 2. Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential? RZ: My dad wanted me to hear a guitarist he knew and took me to see this guy play, I can't remember the exact year in the 60s- the guy was Joe Pass. He blew my head off, it was a big band he was playing with and they let him blow, man it was just amazing. Later I got to take lessons with him; I was about 15 or 16 years old. 3. How would you describe your sound? RZ: I like to think of my sound as a blend of the old and the new. The old being the tradition of jazz guitar and all my influences, the new being me putting it all together in my own way, and it coming out like I want it to sound. 4. Describe the creative process that went into your new CD, "Rick Zunigar Organ Trio" RZ: I picked tunes we all knew, and added some original tunes, we got together the day before the session went over the form, melody and who solos. Did one or two takes when we recorded, that's it. 5. How involved were you in the recording process of your latest CD? RZ: I was involved from start to finish, mixing, mastering, and artwork. It's a labor of love to create your music CD out of nothing, and to see it through to the very end. 6. Who are the current members of your band? RZ: With the organ trio I use Joe Bagg, Organ and Mark Ferber, drums, when ever I can. But I may do different type of gigs, so it could be guitar trio or a duo, so I may use many different players. 7. What was it like to accompany Stevie Wonder on his Natural Wonder Tour? RZ: It was a great experience, Stevie's music is at such a high level, and for me it was a dream come true to play with him. The tour had if I remember a band of two keybordist, bass, drums, three background singers and a percussionist, and me but also a full fifty-piece orchestra, and a conductor. Not including all the support help, it was big. We recorded the tour the CD called Natural Wonder Tour Live I think this is one of his best recording ever. 8. How did the opportunity to play with Smokey Robinson, Jermaine Jackson and Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway occur? RZ: Playing with Stevie helped, it got me on a scene to do pop recording sessions and do more studio work in general. 9. What have been the highs & lows of your music career so far? RZ: My highs are when I see people enjoying themselves when ever I'm playing no matter what kind of music. Being in the moment and celebrating life through the music. The lows, to loose some of my Musician friends, that have bless me with their musical talent, and the chance I have had to play with them. 10. What does your live set up consist of? RZ: I have a Gibson 175, and soon I will be adding an archtop guitar built by a very gifted lutherie, Jim Ellsberry. As far as amps, I use Polytone, and a Laney some times, it depends on the gig, I may use effects now and then. I try and use my gear according to the gig.
RZ: Yes I am under management with Keith Mackie in England. 12. What are your plans for the summer of 2007? RZ: I will be at Musicians Institute (GIT) teaching, and I'm working on touring as well. 13. Have you ever insured your music equipment? If so, with what company and would you recommend them to other musicians? RZ: Yes I have insurance and it's a good Idea to get it, as to recommending you should be able to find a company through your local musicians union. 14. What are some of your favorite venues to play in North America & Europe? RZ: I enjoy all Festivals, concerts and clubs where they like to listen, and support improvisational music. 15. What music organizations are you affiliated with? RZ: American federation of Musicians. 16. Is there a venue that you play regularly at? RZ: Rosalie and Alva's performance gallery. 17. What are your musical goals for the next five years? RZ: Do more touring of Europe, North America, and South America, and do some more recording. 18. Do you have any advice to give other indie guitarists? RZ: Never give up on your dream. Find some one you like and try to find out how they did it. Study their style, learn solos, chords, and progressions if you like to compose study someones song style and learn it. Also spend as much time as you do on your music, on business. Make it fifty/fifty, you are wearing many hats as the saying goes.
For more info on Rick Zunigar visit: www.rickzunigar.com
To place your ad with IndieGuitarists.com see the info page. |
Dedicated to promoting independent guitar players not currently signed with any of the major record companies
Home/News/Guitarists/Interviews/Articles/Info/Links/Contact/ Shop/Archives/Reviews/Press/Playlist/Venues