Electric Wire LIVE at the Fat Crow – 11/10/22
Join Electric Wire on November 10, 2022 at Fat Crow in Newfane, VT for a night of live music. The band will be playing from 7pm until close.
Fat Crow is located at 550 VT-30, Newfane VT, 05345
Electric Wire Live at The Coffee Bar – 11/11/22
Electric Wire will be performing live at The Coffee Bar in Bennington, Vermont on November 11.
To order tickets now, click here.
Electric Wire Live
The band bridges the styles of hard rock, jazz and modern classical check out the single “Straight On” cool compositions with room for improvisation
Interview
We sat down with David Lyons to discuss the making of the upcoming release of Electric Wire, the latest release from Alt/Art Music. The interview took place at Sonic Circus Studio. Surrounded by a complete mayhem of recording equipment, instruments, 2 shop dogs Ozzy and Nitro in old furniture making factory in Vermont. We listened to a preview of the upcoming record.
What was the inspiration behind this record?
I’ve been working on a body of music that challenged me both harmonically and sonically. Also, the process was interesting, the musicians were seldom given the opportunity to rehearse the material prior to the day of recording the basic tracks. I was more interested in keeping the ideas fresh and I like the sound of musicians playing on the edge of disaster and actually pulling off the track well. (Laughs)
What’s the key to this?
Finding musicians with good instincts and then pushing them further then they would care to go while at the same time making them feel comfortable with the process. That’s easier said then done because if you can play in some of these time signatures and harmonies without any pre-production than you’ll likely get the gig. If the form morphs a bit who cares as long as the intent and attitude are there.
Why are there no vocals on the record?
First, you wouldn’t want to hear my singing. Secondly, I was interested in using the Stratocaster as the leading voice. If the melodies are strong and if my interpretation and phrasing is together then it becomes a form of music that is interesting and possibly a bit different. The guitar tones are part of it, in combination with the writing and finally trying to catch inspired lines.
Sort of like Jazz?
Well sort of
What were some of the challenges of getting the music produced?
There were several things. First of all, I was the composer, player and producer and engineer of the record. Secondly, I live in a limited musician market here because we’re not in a music Metropolis. So, the whole thing was about dealing with my limitations and not being a weirdo about the fact that it’s not an All-Star record made with an All-Star producer.
Tell me a little about the recording process?
OK, there are no software plugins on the record, there is no grid or fixing of drum/time fluctuations. All the basic tracks are single takes. So if you isolate the basics you’re going to hear bleed because we all played in the big room together. The music was recorded with an analog API console, some cool mics, a few compressors. Maybe a delay in there. The EMT plate reverb is on all of the tracks and a few select vintage amps, Hammond B3, Piano, some Synth and drums in the big room over there. Also there is mostly the same guitar on everything a Fender Custom Shop 59 Strat with a maple neck. I haven’t found another Strat with a stock vibrato that can do what that one does.
How come there are so many Guitar Amplifiers and other gear here?
I have a little problem. Seriously all this other stuff (besides the amps) serves the business of Sonic Circus.
Who are some of your guitar influences?
Jeff Beck, Alan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, and Duane Allman was a big one. But at a point your influences have to go beyond guitar players.
You have some pretty diverse guitar influences.
Well the thing about that is you can never be those guys. So don’t try. Get inspiration from their process and understand how they got so damn good. There’s a plethora of people learning and performing Zappa and Holdsworth music but without their originality, with the exception of Dweezil who seems to be making it his life’s work to play his father’s music live. There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy with a bandana and an upside-down Stratocaster trying to imitate Jimi.
What’s your opinion of current guitar playing?
Well there are more guitars being produced by manufacturers every day so there are now millions of them on the planet. They must be being consumed by someone. My advice would be to get one good one and eventually figure out how to transpose your own personality through it in the most musical way. Oh yeah remember to practice.
Some of the songs sound complex like the opener “Straight On” Do you write out the parts?
Well that thing is in 9/4 and then goes to 10/4, but honestly it started by playing lines I really liked developed some interesting changes the B part and then stuffed a melody in there. I didn’t really know the time signature until I transcribed it. If we’re doubling something or harmonizing as well as learning the form of a piece its helpful to write it out for certain players.
When you play rock in odd meters how do you avoid it sounding like Prog?
Well that’s been done, and a lot of those bands were great. If you play over the bar-lines a lot in odd meters and really try to develop melodic content that helps. Try to syncopate and anticipate your lines. Another thing is finding a drummer that doesn’t sound like they’re counting all time. It’s a challenge for sure.
Why do you record music like this and not mainstream music?
A lot of it is genetic. My parents both made abstract art. That seemed normal to me as a kid. Also, music is the only place where you really want to hear “MORE” voices in your head. Any other career you’d be diagnosed and given a prescription. It’s easy to parrot music that is already popular because there’s a built-in audience waiting for that stuff.
Also, there is joy in the fact that the possibilities are infinite. Everyone has access to the same 12 notes so there’s really must be something to how you use them.