1. Describe the early years of your musical roots
and how your talent was nurtured.

I started out playing violin when I was about 5. I
never really loved it, though. It's such a difficult
instrument and I was used to hearing some of the
greatest violin playing in the world. Literally. So it
was frustrating to me to not be able to reproduce
physically what I heard with my ears. I was always drawn to the guitar, though and started playing a little in high school. It wasn't really until after college, though that I started to write and really concentrate on playing guitar.

2. Where there any events, people or catalyst(s)
that were musically influential?

When I was 14, a friend's older cousin took us to see a Woody Guthrie tribute concert in central park. Suzanne Vega came out and played and I was absolutely mesmerized. I had never heard anything quite like it and knew that singing and playing guitar was something that I wanted to pursue.

3. What does your live set up consist of? 

I play guitar and dobro and sing mostly originals but I also do some jazz standards and other covers.

4. Describe the feel of your new CD entitled, “Only One” and how you were sparked to write the songs on it.

I recorded all the songs on "Only One" live, with no
overdubs so it's almost like a live record. The songs
on the CD were chosen out of about 20 or so that I've
written since my last CD, "On A Clear Day" came out in 2003. I felt they were the strongest and represented the largest scope of what I'm writing about and how I'm playing.

5. How is your new CD being received so far?

So far it's selling really well and people have
written me really nice emails about it so it feels
good.

6. Are you pleased with the production of the CD.
Who produced it?

I think it captured my sound really well. I recorded
it at Melissa Ferrick's home studio. She engineered
and mixed the record and it was mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering in Portland, ME.

7. You have released 3 CD’s to date. Which CD has
brought you the most success?

On A Clear Day is my top selling cd so far.

8. When did you start your own record label,
Talisman Records and how many CD’s have you
recorded and released on it? 

I started the label in 2001 when I put out my first
cd, "Mortal Child" and I've released two more since
then. 

9. How involved are you in the recording of your
projects?

Completely and totally from start to finish.  

10. What recording equipment did you use?

For this record, we used a Yamaha AW4416 and five
microphones. Two on the guitar, two overhead and a
neumann vocal mic.

 
12. How did you record your guitar parts?

I recorded everything "live" with vocals and
guitar/dobro at the same time.  

13. What music organizations are you affiliated
with?

BMI, Indiegrrl, Goldenrod.

14. In addition to being a musician you are also an
artist.  Describe your artwork and in which
direction it is evolving.  

I started a mural company in 1998 and have done both public and private commissions.
(http://www.offthewalldesign.com) Since I started
touring full-time I haven't done much mural work but I
hope to get back to it over the summer when things
slow down a bit for me.

15. Are there any people that you would like to
mention here who have helped your career?

My parents and sister have been amazingly supportive and helpful to me, always my biggest fans. I'm on the road right now with Garnet Rogers, a wonderful Canadian musician and I have to say that he's been such a great support over the last year. To have someone of his experience, depth of talent and knowledge saying that they're a fan of your music is so validating and invigorating. I signed with Fleming, a wonderful booking agency out of Ann Arbor this Fall and they've been incredible to me. Working me hard and holding me up too. I also have to mention Melissa Ferrick who took me out on tour with her for four months this Fall. I've definitely gained a lot of fans through her and she was amazing to play with. She also helped me make this record for which I'm eternally grateful and is a really helpful and insightful
sounding board for me whether it's critiquing a new
song or helping me understand how distribution works or finding an indie label and what that means. I
couldn't do any of this without my friends and family
who are amazing and loving and believe in me when I
don't.

For more information

on Natalia Zukerman visit:

www.nataliazukerman or see the female acoustic category of the database.

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1.  Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured.

Early years - musical roots and influences were Elvis/Bill Haley (Rock element in 50's) Freddie King/Buddy Guy(Blues element in 60's) Need to read book!

2.  Where there any events, people or catalyst(s) that were musically influential?

Hendrix-Hey Joe,  Beatles-Mersey Scene,  Doors-Haight Ashbury, Billy Gibbons-ZZTop. Really too many to mention. While we have had all these
changes in the music scene people like me, have carried on forward  through it all,with the Blues.

3.  What does your live set up consist of?

20 years playing 4 piece/ 5 piece (Bass/Drums 2 Guitars/Keys) 10 years playing 3 piece with power boogie blues trio "DRIVE". (Bass/Drums/Guitar)

4. Do you own your own label & publishing company?

My label is STRATMASTER   and my publishing company is DMC (Downside Music Company)

5. What is the official release date for your new CD, “Cutting The Mustard”?

The CD Cutting The Mustard, will be available from CD Baby and BlackcatCD US and other outlets on line. Both CD and Book will be available from my
site at http://www.stratmaster.co.uk Official CD release scheduled for the first week in May 2006.

6. Describe the creative process of your new CD, from the initial inspiration to getting it down on CD.

 Songs for Cutting The Mustard were written and routined right through the year 2005, and the concept of the solo album arose. For a musician, its
usually enough just to gig, but for me as a songwriter and musician, it was not enough, and I would imagine every songwriter wants to be heard, and above all, needs to have an outlet for his creativity etc. There can only be one solution!  ...... Recording. This has bugged me for years, trying to
find the balance between live work and studio/project commitment. It is a
high wire act. Bearing in mind, in reality, we all have to eat and pay our way etc. Gigs for me have always been a double edged sword. To play to a
receptive audience is probably the greatest buzz of all, but I have always used my gigs, to test the waters with my own material. I have survived(You
can read more about this in my book) purely on the adrenaline and encouragement from audiences and listeners, its never been the money, or
lack of it. Cutting The Mustard for me is an attempt to play a crossover of Electric Rocking Blues with Country. I suppose what Im really saying is, I
am passionate about a good strong melody in a song, and the challenge to play that with Rocking Blues(guitar orientated rhythm patterns (Boogie etc). This has always been my quest. The inspiration for this album, is simply
that I cant live without the Blues in some form or another, and its in its other forms, that interest me now. I have also been driven by the fact, that
I am playing everything on the album, except the drums.( eg, Guitars/Bass/Vox).

7. Is “Cutting The Mustard” a solo CD and how would you describe the feel of it?

Cutting The Mustard is a solo artist CD, in the true sense of the word. The feel of the album for me is what its all about! I call it DRIVING music,
in both senses of the word. 1) Imagine riding open-top in a Cadillac on an open road, and playing Cutting The Mustard, and then 2)  The album DRIVES with a Rocking groove and meaningful lyrics. Not as yet! I am very busy right now, with other commitments, eg. I teach and run guitar classes for part of the year, and I am extremely busy writing and recording etc. If it came up, I would consider it. To be honest, I would rather record another album.

8. How involved were you in the recording process?

Totally, I have full control. In the past on many projects, I have always been irritated by producers and managers etc, and often that would dilute my input and ideas. Cutting The Mustard had none of this. This is about a guy doing his own thing, his own way, in his own time with total commitment and concentration.

9. What recording equipment was used and where did you record?

Cutting The Mustard was recorded  in the comfort of my own studio in Weybridge, Surrey, UK.  My studio comprises of -  Mackie Audio/Digital desk
with Tannoy active (playback) monitors - TLA Audio valve compression - TC Audio Electronic Reverb/ Delays etc - Sonar 4 Producer Digital - AKG cans
(head-phones) - ART headphone amps - Audio Mesa Boogie studio pre-amp -
Audio Marshall duel multi-block power amps - Ampeg  guitar speaker cabs -
Rode Vocal Microphone - EMU 1820M interface and effects.
All of this would be useless, without the brilliant engineer MIKE DODRIDGE - Watch out for this guy, he is AMAZING! Earlier I said it was a solo project.
This was only meant, musically speaking. In truth, it was a joint venture/ a two man project, with me playing and MIKE taking care of the engineering
etc.

10. In addition to your upcoming CD you have just released a book titled, “Outside Looking In”. Briefly describe the book and where it is available.

The book Outside Looking In (due for release with CD - May 1st) is an autobiography covering 30 years as a struggling musician. It will be
available from most book shops (by order) US and UK, and on-line from Amazon US/UK - Barnes and Noble etc and from my publisher at The Derwent Press, UK. 'Outside Looking In' is available NOW! from www.amazon.co.uk  and from www.derwentpress.com    The  ISBN  No. 184667011X

11. What and where are some of your favorite venues to play in Europe?

Over the years, I ve  always had a good reaction from the French, and I would probably say the Belgium and Dutch are generally up for it. Having
said this, Nothing beats the crowd and buzz from a gig anywhere in the Midlands and North of England! For me that was and is true orgasm.

12. When your not touring do you play at a regular club? If so, where?

I am not playing regularly at any club at present. ( Same answer as question  

13. What are some of the highs & lows of your career so far?

You will have to read the book!

14. Are you affiliated with any music associations or unions?

Musicians Union/PRS/MCPS.(UK)

15. Do you have any info or advice to share regarding insurance on musical equipment?

My advice would be, Dont ever leave your gear unattended - Thats it. Insurance for me, has always been a waste of time, especially when you read
the small print. You find out, that you are not covered at all anywhere, and your only insured if your gear is within sight. Hardly worth bothering.

16. What festivals have you played that you would recommend to other indie bands in North America?

I would recommend the Biker gigs, and the Colne festival in UK. Personally, I  prefer the smaller gig, much more intimate, I like to be
close to the BUZZ.

For more information on Peter Mitchell visit:

http://www.stratmaster.co.uk

or see the male blues category of the database.

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© 2006 Yonge Music