Under The Influence
I went to see the Chris Duarte Group at Oscar Blues in Lyons, CO. last night. It was really good to see Chris again. The first time I saw Chris play was back in 1993. I had just turned 21, Aaron, Dave and I had just started jamming in my garage -- it was a very cool time. Seeing that show was a definitely life changer for me. Chris was playing exactly how I heard music. I wasn't a very good guitar player at the time, but it didn't matter because I had something to strive for. All I wanted to do was be good enough to approach making music like Chris did.
Over the years, I got to know Chris pretty well. Our first theatre gig (at the Fox Theatre in Boulder) was opening for Chris and we opened for him about 15 times over the next 7 years. Chris was always the coolest -- greeted us with open arms, would always sit in with us, invited me to sit in with his band, etc. He even invited me over to jam in his hotel room during the day between a two night stand. Needless to say, I've learned a ton from Chris.
After playing in Dirty Pool for about 8 years, I started to get tired of my own playing/style. The market was flooded with over-the-top blues guitar players that all were trying to cop Stevie Ray's style. Being a blues-based rock band, we were put in the same category. I admit that I owe a huge debt to that style of music, but I was always striving for more. That's why I like Chris Duarte's approach so much -- it's all about breaking down the boundries. Anyway, the blues scene left a bad taste in my mouth and I eventually started to explore other types of music.
For better or for worse, blues as a music style is definitely at a popularity low point. Strangely enough, I am now being drawn back to it more than ever. It makes me realize why I was so drawn to the blues in the first place. In the late 80s, corporate hair rock was the thing and no one was interested in the blues. The blues was dangerous and kinda scary (just listen to some Robert Johnson). That really appealed to me. I feel the same thing going on now. I LIKE the fact that there isn't a big audience for blues. Ironically, I'm playing way more than I have in years and am slowly getting back to gigging.
I have always struggled with wearing my influences on my sleeve. I'm only now coming to terms with who I am as a player. It's OK to have influences and, to be able to approach the level of musicianship required to draw comparisons is pretty flattering. All musicians have certain strengths and are drawn to certain aspects of music.
I realized a long time ago that I won't ever reach the skill level of someone like Chris Duarte because I don't have the desire to push the guitar to it's technical limits. I just don't have the discipline to practice as much and as hard as I would need to reach that level. Plus, I have tried a million times to get into the crazy jazz that Chris is influenced by and I just don't understand it. Maybe that will change, but for now, I'm happy with where I am as a musician.
One of the most flattering compliments that I have ever received was from Brian Nevin (drummer for Big Head Todd and the Monsters). He told me that the thing that sets Dirty Pool apart from the other "big guitar" bands is the songwriting -- "you write good songs." I still have a long way to go musically and as a songwriter, but I enjoy the songwriting process more than any other aspect of music. Don't get me wrong, I love wailing on the guitar, but the most rewarding experience for me is a finished original song that people (even a few people) actually enjoy. Usually it's with someone else singing (like "Room To Breathe" which Crystal Derx sang the hell out of on our CD), but just to know that I wrote a good song is where it's at for me.
Anyway, I am eternally grateful to Chris Duarte and the long list of musicians (including Jim Thomas from the Mermen who I talked to a few weeks ago) who have influenced me over the years. It's OK if someone thinks that I sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan (or any other influence), we all learn from those who came before. It's the weird combination of influences that come together to form an original style. Some musician's combinations are just a little bit weirder and more bold than others.
Over the years, I got to know Chris pretty well. Our first theatre gig (at the Fox Theatre in Boulder) was opening for Chris and we opened for him about 15 times over the next 7 years. Chris was always the coolest -- greeted us with open arms, would always sit in with us, invited me to sit in with his band, etc. He even invited me over to jam in his hotel room during the day between a two night stand. Needless to say, I've learned a ton from Chris.
After playing in Dirty Pool for about 8 years, I started to get tired of my own playing/style. The market was flooded with over-the-top blues guitar players that all were trying to cop Stevie Ray's style. Being a blues-based rock band, we were put in the same category. I admit that I owe a huge debt to that style of music, but I was always striving for more. That's why I like Chris Duarte's approach so much -- it's all about breaking down the boundries. Anyway, the blues scene left a bad taste in my mouth and I eventually started to explore other types of music.
For better or for worse, blues as a music style is definitely at a popularity low point. Strangely enough, I am now being drawn back to it more than ever. It makes me realize why I was so drawn to the blues in the first place. In the late 80s, corporate hair rock was the thing and no one was interested in the blues. The blues was dangerous and kinda scary (just listen to some Robert Johnson). That really appealed to me. I feel the same thing going on now. I LIKE the fact that there isn't a big audience for blues. Ironically, I'm playing way more than I have in years and am slowly getting back to gigging.
I have always struggled with wearing my influences on my sleeve. I'm only now coming to terms with who I am as a player. It's OK to have influences and, to be able to approach the level of musicianship required to draw comparisons is pretty flattering. All musicians have certain strengths and are drawn to certain aspects of music.
I realized a long time ago that I won't ever reach the skill level of someone like Chris Duarte because I don't have the desire to push the guitar to it's technical limits. I just don't have the discipline to practice as much and as hard as I would need to reach that level. Plus, I have tried a million times to get into the crazy jazz that Chris is influenced by and I just don't understand it. Maybe that will change, but for now, I'm happy with where I am as a musician.
One of the most flattering compliments that I have ever received was from Brian Nevin (drummer for Big Head Todd and the Monsters). He told me that the thing that sets Dirty Pool apart from the other "big guitar" bands is the songwriting -- "you write good songs." I still have a long way to go musically and as a songwriter, but I enjoy the songwriting process more than any other aspect of music. Don't get me wrong, I love wailing on the guitar, but the most rewarding experience for me is a finished original song that people (even a few people) actually enjoy. Usually it's with someone else singing (like "Room To Breathe" which Crystal Derx sang the hell out of on our CD), but just to know that I wrote a good song is where it's at for me.
Anyway, I am eternally grateful to Chris Duarte and the long list of musicians (including Jim Thomas from the Mermen who I talked to a few weeks ago) who have influenced me over the years. It's OK if someone thinks that I sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan (or any other influence), we all learn from those who came before. It's the weird combination of influences that come together to form an original style. Some musician's combinations are just a little bit weirder and more bold than others.
