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Q: Can you
recommend some specific Bach pieces that your really enjoy. I have
been listening to Yo Yo Ma & Janos Starker solo cello. Additionally
Emerson String Quartet, Bach: The Art of Fugue. I enjoy both very much
can you please recommend other pieces that you enjoy. - from John
A: Try the
Cello Suites. They are more playable than some of his other works.
Q: I know
that you practice yoga and ashtanga specifically. I would like to know
if you do the primary series or your own routine? Are there any videos
you like? I have tried Bryan Kest's videos and really like him. David
Swenson is also another teacher I really like. - from Erik
A: I do
the first series which is more than enough! My teacher is Danny
Paradise who I see every few months. He corrects me every time and
shows me a newer, better way of doing it.
Q: I was
wondering, when your not playing your guitar how do you store your
guitars. - from Carlo
A: I have
a lock up near where I live where I store my guitars and amps. I keep
some of the choice ones at home. There are many under beds and if you
open a cupboard in my house you might find one.
Q: You
always seem so in tune with where you are in your life and in touch
with your thoughts. I'm curious if you ever struggle with keeping your
mind on the present and if so, do you have any advice for keeping
oneself "in the moment" and enjoying the now? - from Amy
A: My only
advice would be to not think about yesterday and tomorrow if you want
to enjoy today. Not very profound, but it works for me.
Q: Do we
have a chance of hearing you sing on some of your future solo albums?
- from Arthur
A:
Although I do enjoy singing sometimes I wouldn't want to draw
attention to it and away from my main asset which is my guitar
playing. I fear my weaknesses would be exposed as opposed to my
strengths. So in short, no.
Q: Can you
drive a car and what type(s) of cars do you prefer? - from Yuliya
A: I drive
a Peugeot 206. I have never been into fancy cars but I do love
driving.
Q: My
question is what do think is the most important piece of equipment for
sound the quality of the guitar or the amp? - from Vivien
A: The
most important pieces of equipment are your hands and then the guitar.
Q: I was
wondering if that was a Harley Davidson sticker you have on the back
of your guitar? If it is do you ride? What kind? - from Erik
A: I love
Harleys but don't own one. If I did it would be the V-Rod. Beautiful
machine!
Q: I read
your statement "You can only make progress by making yourself
vulnerable." I'm a writer, and I'm about to face the enormous task of
finding journals, magazines, publishing houses, etc. who will publish
my work. I'm terrified. I'm afraid of failing. I'm even afraid of
succeeding, if that makes any sense. So when I read your statement
from the interview, it got me wondering. Are you ever afraid of
failing (or succeeding)? If so, how do you move beyond that fear to a
place where you are comfortable with being vulnerable? - from Amy
A: I feel
that if you are creative you have to be prepared to fail (sometimes in
public which is not for the fainthearted). This is what I meant by
making yourself vulnerable. BUT with good practice. technique,
knowledge and just good old chops, the fun starts there. This is when
you make the blemishes work for you and you can make them beautiful.
It's like when Jazz players make a mistake and then repeat it and
eventually take it somewhere they haven't been before.
Q: Just
wondering, have you ever been a music teacher? You seem to have the
patience for it and an ability to connect with people. - from Kara
A: I used
to teach at public schools to classes of between 10 and 15 kids
playing guitar. Had a lot of fun with that. I have taught guitar in a
prison. My favourite categories for teaching are beginners and
accomplished players. Everything in between is less interesting or
less satisfying. I would like to know more about music therapy as I
believe all kinds of people could benefit from it (myself included).
The sound of a drum, the echo of a clap the sound of water the
creation of sound etc...
Q: When I
met you last year in Hamburg you had a yellow bracelet. Where is it
from and what is the meaning of it? - from Margitta
A: The
yellow bracelet is about Lance Armstong's charity for cancer research.
He is the six time winner of the tour de France. Greatest cyclist of
all time. I am sure you have seen people wearing them.
Q: I
noticed a small figurine on top of a speaker (or some other piece of
equipment) behind you during your Madison Square Garden show. What was
that and what is the significance? - From Cristina
A: That
was a JS Bach figurine on my amplifier. I am glad you noticed it. I
put him there to watch me so I play better.
Q: If you
could be photographed with 2 people who have inspired you the most in
your music career, who would they be - and where would you like the
photograph to take place? - From Arpeggio
A: Bach
and Jimi Hendrix, in the park.
Q: I was
just curious if you can fall asleep soon after finishing a concert. Is
there always an after-party? - from Dee
A: I go to
sleep after a concert because I am organically tired due to getting up
at around 6.30 or 7am. I sleep like a baby.
Q: I have
seen you, Sting and the band on 'David Letterman' and 'Saturday Night
Live' and just wondered what it was like doing those shows. I also
wondered if you ever worked with or what you thought of Bryan Adams
and Eminem. - From Mary
A: Doing
TV shows is quite boring because there is a lot of hanging around and
waiting. Then you have to find three minutes of inspiration. But it's
ok because we are experienced at it. I like Bryan Adams and have
worked with him. He is a gentleman and very funny. I think Eminem is
great too. Very clever.
Q: If you
couldn't be a musician, what do you think you would have done? - From
Erin
A: If I
weren't a musician I would like to be a school teacher. I think it's
the best profession.
Q: Where
do you think you would be career wise if Sting hadn't offered you the
job as guitarist on 'The Soul Cages' album? What was "plan B"? - From
Elina
A: Plan B
was a job I had with The Pretenders. I had a lot of sleepless nights
making the choice but now see it was a good one.
Q: Did you
ever play in any cover bands? Were you familiar with The Police's
material when you met Sting? - from Michael
A: Of
course I played in cover bands. I probably will again too! I wasn't
particularly familiar with most of Sting or the Police's music when I
met him. I am now.
Q: I think
I read somewhere that you once attended Berklee in Boston. Is that
true? Did you enjoy the experience? - from Michael
A: Yes, I
did attend Berklee and it was a life changing experience. It was there
that I knew I would be a musician forever.
Q: What
are your plans for the future? Are you looking to continue writing
your own material, classical etc... or do you have another vision or
direction you'd like to venture into? - from Seika
A: I try
not to think about the future and concentrate on what is happening
now. I am on tour with Sting and I am promoting 'Shapes' and 'Third
World'. My only wish is to be able to continue working at this level
which I means wanting to do more of the same.
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