About a decade ago, I joined the musician social media website called Fandalism and uploaded a few of my videos. I also entered an self-interview which is seriously outdated. Unfortunately I no longer have access to Fandalism so I figured I would update the already published interview and keep it up to snuff. Feel free to read through and get to know a little bit more of myself as an artist and person, enjoy!
How long have you been playing?
I have always had a devoted interest in the arts and music since i was very young. Growing up, i was exposed to the world of art...i would always draw and do sketches, play with legos hehe...claymaking....Anything to do with the art of creativity - During my formative years in grade school I was introduced to music while i had a short stint playing the saxophone (4th grade) - inspired by the likes of Kenny G, David Sanborn - I still yearned to discover the right instrument that spoke to my heart and soul....That is, until then my flame was rekindled when i was brought back to my ethnic roots - listening much to classic Mediterranean music and Latin music, as well as the fiery passion of flamenco, which when, i re-discovered, "La Guitarra" - I remember I first messed around on an old little toy guitar that was given to me when I was young, and was one of the ways I developed my ear. I never pursued it seriously until a good friend of mine left a cheap acoustic guitar to borrow. Little did I know what would unfold as soon as i picked it up and played my first (badly picked) notes, and my passion for the guitar was re-born. I later on picked up my first real Spanish guitar, and it was love at first sight, or sound, if you will! - Around 2003, I began my musical journey...and never looked back!!
What was the first concert you ever went to?
Well...Having said that about my love for music -- to be honest, I was never really fond of going to concerts....simply, the comfort watching the concerts on DVD (laughs) - But I do remember my very first concert I attended....was to see Yanni in concert, back in in the spring of 2003 - at the Nassau Colisseum - I was there with my family....and it was truly inspiring to me as a beginning musician at the time...First off, Yanni (the well-reknown New Age composer) has been my first major musical inspiration since the mid 90's...since the "Live At the Acropolis" PBS show - I was so moved....When I saw him perform live, it was an awe-inspiring moment in time - I had goosebumps, and it truly was like a dream fulfilled -- At long last!!
Since then, i've attended concerts from the Gipsy Kings (which also inspired me with the guitar) -- to my other major musical inspiration, Johannes Linstead...who I've seen several times during my trips to Canada (whom I quote, is my number one main influence , as a guitarist and also in my own compositions).
I have also attended my first Jean-michel Jarre concert back in 2017 which was a life-changing experience for me as an artist. I have followed Jarre's music since the mid-90's, just around the same time I discovered Yanni's music. He is considered a legendary pioneer in the world of Electronic music which I also love. It was one of the highlights of my life, an exhilarating audiovisual multimedia experience!
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
My musical influences are many: growing in size as I learn and listen more to other great artists....I've continued to learn each day and expand on my own musical repertoire and discover my own unique signature voice on the guitar - But I would have to say, The Big Five I quote as having been my biggest influences on the guitar include:
Johannes Linstead, Govi, Pavlo (Mediterranean-style guitar), Jesse Cook, and "Guitarra Azul"
Each have lended their own styles which is quite apparent in my music -- But, I still quote musically, Yanni, as my main musical influence in terms of emotional content/themes and composition....since I was young - I also have a noticeable New Age influence in my music. I draw much influences from Contemporary Instrumental artists sch as Mehdi, Omar Akram, Sajjad, as well as Enya, Secret Garden, Loreena McKennitt, David Helpling and others. On the Electronic side of things, I quote Jean-michel Jarre as my main influence as well as famous groups such as Tangerine Dream. I follow modern artists such as Dynatron, Stellardrone, Kebu, Glenn Main, Madis...the list continues to grow as I evolve as a musician.
My World influences include music Ive grown up to: Julio Iglesias, George Dalaras, Amr Diab, Didula (Russian guitar group), Cyrene Abdul-Nour and more!
What gear do you use?
I've collected some nice gear over time (with the aid of friends and family) - I have a private home project studio where I spend the majority of my time recording and perfecting the craft...Maybe will share more later...
I run a DAW-based Mac Mini system with the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X interface as my primary recording gear and a plethora of music software and plug-ins - I record primarily Cubase 11 Pro for mixing, but I also use Presonus Studio One 2 (Producer Edition) for other projects and Wavelab and Sound Forge for editing/mastering/post-production - I also use iZotope Ozone Elements for mastering.
For composition I use Stylus RMX and Trillian by Spectrasonics, as well as soft synthesizers such as Hybrid, Nexus, Octane, and Zenology. I also use hardware synthesizers such as the Roland System-8 with plug-out and cool ACB analog engine modeling technology.
Guitars: I still have my original hybrid classical-flamenco guitar (the first Spanish guitar that started it all for me) which has the sweetness of a classical but when played aggressively, retains that classic flamenco snap and bite (although, very tamed compared to a real flamenco, which generally has lighter woods and overall construction) - I also have in my possession a Yamaha (CG171SF) flamenco blanca guitar that is now my primary back-up guitar for live performances, and then there's my main guitar of choice: my 2013 model "Luthier Series" Cordoba GK Pro flamenco blanca cutaway, which I now use for recording and for live performances. (a beautiful guitar at that!) For recording use, I have my custom-built 2018 Andy Culpepper flamenco blanca cutaway which sounds the best out of all the guitars I own. I also have a Strandberg Boden electric that I use for playing accompanying lead parts as well as for musical sound effects.
For strings, I swear by the D'addario brand.....and alternate between the regular EJ45 normal tension and the EJ46 Hard tension sets if i need more attack - I currently use the Pro-Arte "Dynacore" Titanium set - EJ45TT normal tensions on the Yamaha, while I tend to use the Pro-Arte "Composite" EJ25B (black nylon) flamenco set on the Cordoba GK Pro - for a more powerful and quicker attack/response. The Culpepper is a bit more sensitive to string tension so I tend to use lighter tensioned strings such the Knobloch SN-200 classical set with double-silver basses.
Have experimented with strings from La Bella, Augustine, Savarez, Knobloch...etc....
Instruments I play: Apart from the Spanish guitar, I play a bit of electric guitar. I can play also the "Greek Bouzouki" (a traditional Greek stringed instrument that is widely played in the Mediterranean - reminiscent of a long-necked mandolin) - speaking of which, yes, the mandolin, some bass guitar, and keyboards (mostly for musical accompaniment and synths) - I also have acquired a Turkish saz, a wacky yet amazing sounding stringed instrument! - VERY EASTERN!!
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
Currently, Im performing as a "solo musician and artist" under the stage name/production name of Arrizza - "Guitarra Arrizza" (which is in fact, Arrizza, is my last name) - and as a solo musician I've been so grateful and humbled to receive such great positive feedback from my gigs and music -
I do perform also from time to time as a guest rhythm guitarist with New Jersey-based Nouveau Flamenco guitarist, Victor Tarassov - and play gigs around the local Tri-State area....It truly is a blessing and a lot of fun to perform with such a great talent!!
While I do incorporate some flamenco techniques into my playing style (rasgueados, alzapua, picado..etc..) - I do not consider myself as a "flamenco guitarist", but rather a "Latin guitarist" - primarily performing in the style of Nouveau (New) Flamenco - as well as other styles mixed in such as Latin-American (cumbias, rumbas, son...etc...) and Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern/New Age/World influences.
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
Let's see....hmm....I performed at a special gig in 2012 which was the 1st annual Ecuadorian Outdoor Festival - celebrating Ecuadorian and Latin-American culture as a whole - At one point, I had about a 2,000 strong audience while I was performing on stage....WHAT A RUSH!
And, I also make performances annually at the "East End Variety Stage" at the local Alive After Five Summer Festival in Patchogue.....And I once had over 100 people surround me as the night progressed, it was truly a "rite of passage" for me - As I've always suffered from extreme Stage Fright - now, I love the experience of performing live - An energy you cant get anywhere else!!
You can catch me now these days performing bi-weekly each Friday and Saturday at Don Quijote which is a Spanish/Mexican restaurant located on Long Island, NY. Please check my schedule on my official website where you can find out where I will be playing!
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
YIKES! - i sure hope i wouldnt be stranded....but, it would have to be Johannes Linstead's 5th album..."Mediterranea" -- that album.....carries the true "Mediterranean Spirit" in its songs....and being half-Mediterranean paternal heritage (Sicilian/Greek) descent - it truly connects me to my own ancient roots and the undying free spirit of the "Mesogios" (the Greek term for, The Mediterranean) - I would dance on that island all day and all night long! - OPAAA!!!
I would also bring, if I could, an album that is quite dear to me called Oxygene by Jean-michel Jarre. It speaks to the deeper side of me which is enamored by all things space and the cosmos. It is a very timeless masterpiece which evokes images of space and beyond!