My interview with Joe Satriani
September 2007 by Benjamin Fargen
Joe Satriani
As many of you already know, I have had the pleasure of working with Joe Satriani over the last 2 ½ years on custom amp projects as well as keeping both his vintage and modern amps in top shape for the studio and his world tours, as well as being one of the worlds best and well loved guitar players. Joe is an amazing musician who has the ability to create memorable melodies and hooks that stay with you long after the song is over. It should also be noted that Joe is fantastic person and all around class act.
I ran the idea of an interview geared towards “real music based questions” rather than just another guitar based gear interview. He liked the idea and kindly agreed to do the interview with me. I caught up with Joe in September 2007 and here is what he had to say:
Ben: You have been recording your music professionally from the heyday of big studio recording facilities all the way through the new home studio revolution….In your opinion…how has computer and home studio technology changed the record industry? How has it changed the way you write your songs and record them?
Joe: The “cut and paste” aspect of digital recording has been great for the arranger, but perhaps a crutch for the lazy player. All in all, non-destructive editing is a wonderful thing, and most good writers, arrangers and players have really taken to the medium. Home recording has almost completely shaken the studio business model. However, file sharing, and the public’s acceptance of the idea of “free” music has all but destroyed the music industry as we once knew it.
Ben: Some artists’ say the energy and feel is never captured the same as it is on the first take when recording a guitar or vocal track. Do you or have you ever used a guitar track on a finished album that was captured on a personal demo of the song rather than trying to re create the part again in another studio?
Joe: That happens all the time. It can be a first take in a pro studio, or, that last take at your home studio that has the magic in it. I’m always surprised by how things play out with recording projects. They seem to have a life of their own!
Ben: Have you recorded any of your albums completely in your home studio? If so, which albums?
Joe: All of “Engines of Creation” was recorded at Eric Caudieux’s home studio, his living room, actually. At least half of both “Strange Beautiful Music” and “Is There Love In Space” were recorded at my home studio. And, around 95% of all the guitars, basses and keyboards for “Super Colossal” were recorded at my home as well.
Ben: Do you ever use another instrument other than guitar to write or create melodies while crafting a song?
Joe: I do quite a bit of writing on piano and bass. It’s good to get away from the technique of your main instrument once in a while.
Ben: As you have grown over the years as a musician and songwriter…..has your approach to writing a song changed as well?……if so….how has it changed?
Joe: I still employ every writing approach I can think of; on the guitar, in my head, on another instrument, on manuscript, strictly in my head, etc… I still focus on melody and message first, then expand from there.
Ben: You have an amazing talent for creating memorable guitar melodies that stand the test of time…rather than guitars licks that are just forgotten after they are played…..do you feel this is something musician can learn?…or do you either have this ability or not?
Joe: Everyone can learn to focus on melody, but doing it well is a bit of a mystery I think.
Ben: Who are some of the more obscure or lesser know musicians/songwriters that have influenced you over the years.
Joe: Todd Rundgren for sure, although he is pretty well known. He’s a great all-around writer/performer/producer/engineer, one very talented guy!
Ben: Of the musicians that you have had to opportunity to collaborate with over the years… who has been your favorite and why?
Joe: I don’t collaborate often, since I enjoy writing in solitude so very much. However, working with Eric Caudieux was exciting and fun. I think we created some very beautiful and profound music.
Ben: Who was the first professional band or musician that you ever saw in concert that inspired you to play music or become a professional musician?
Joe: Although I’d been to a few concerts before seeing Steve Miller play, it was his show at The Filmore East, NYC, in September of ’70 that really initiated me into the world of live performance. It was the week Hendrix had died and the vibe at the theater that night was unusual. I think I really started to see the band members as individual people that night. They all came together to create a memorable night.
Ben: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin ……In your opinion which of these bands is the best band ever and why? :>)
Joe: There is no “best” among the best. I love those bands equally.
Ben: Joe’s desert island discs? If you were lost on a desert island and you could only bring ten albums to have forever…..what 10 would they be?
Joe: I’d be screwed, because I could never decide which ones to bring! I think it would be best to bring a guitar… and a lot of extra strings, just in case.
Ben: Which Joe Satriani album is your favorite and why?
Joe: I always feel the one I’m working on is my new favorite. In the end though, I love them all, equally, even with their missteps and shortcomings.
