GT What is it about guitar instrumentals that appeals to you?
Well, a guitar was the only instrument available in the house where I grew up, so naturally I spent my formative musical years learning how to operate it, simply because it was there. However hard I might try to think like a ‘musician’ rather than specifically as a ‘guitarist’, there can be no denying that the guitar will always serve as my main interface with the musical world in general, so I suppose it’s the voice I know best. Perhaps I naturally relate to guitar instrumentals in a more detailed or informed way, due to my familiarity with the range, timbre and capabilities of the instrument.
GT: What can an instrumental provide a listener that a vocal song can’t?
In a sense, it can offer a more universal appeal - when there’s no lyrical content in a song, the language barrier ceases to be a problem! I have fond memories of having performed instrumental music in some unusually far-flung and exotic locations and one thing I’ve consistently taken away from such experiences, is that the challenge of connecting with people suddenly feels refreshingly effortless as soon as I’m on the stage - having spent the day dismally failing to explain to someone that I’m trying to exchange currency, figure out how the launderette works, order food or whatever, it somehow comes as a huge relief to start playing music and instantly feel a much more direct line of communication.
GT: Any tendencies with instrumentals that you aim
