Life on the Fretboard with Michael Watts

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Emma Tricca Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Emma Tricca is a massively talented singer-songwriter, a poet, and beautiful fingerstyle guitarist.

Italian by birth, Emma works between Rome, London and New York making gorgeous psychedelic folk rock records - her latest is called 'Aspirin Sun' it is out now and it's rather wonderful.

You may have seen Emma on tour with such luminaries as Robyn Hitchcock, Dinosaur Jr. or Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets - that wonderful band put together to play early Pink Floyd songs. If not, then I hope this interview may serve as an introduction to some very beautiful music.

What I really enjoy about Emma's work are the amazing textures she creates with her full band that also includes Dream Syndicate's Jason Victor on electric guitar as well as Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth on drums and Pete Galub on bass. That is quite a line-up...in many ways the cream of the New York art rock scene.

This interview was recorded on a hot day at the beginning of summer and I had invited Emma to visit me at home to get her out into the countryside and away from the heat and grit of London. And, In a Life on the Fretboard first, I had the pleasure of making some music with a guest - in this case one of Emma's songs which I have been semi-obsessed with since I first heard it. The link to that is in the description below. I'm on Telecaster and Emma is playing my Gretsch White Falcon - I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK71DfcHPOc

You can support this podcast here: https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745

Download Emma Tricca's latest record here https://emmatricca.bandcamp.com/album/aspirin-sun

Thank you to my sponsors for this episode:

Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de

Mirabella Guitars https://www.mirabellaguitars.com

Will Ackerman Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

Will Ackerman is a visionary composer, fingerstyle guitarist and producer. As the founder of Windham Hill Records, he achieved international success with his own music and that of artists such as Michael Hedges, George Winston, Alex De Grassi and others.

Windham Hill's sumptuous, detailed sound is widely acknowledged to be a milestone in the evolution of the acoustic guitar. Let's face it: When the first D-28 rolled off the Martin Guitar Company production line, they were hardly expecting Michael Hedges! In fact, no one was...least of all Will Ackerman. In this conversation, he shares some beautiful stories about meeting Michael for the first time and the recording sessions for Aerial Boundaries!

We also get some extraordinary insights about the early days of Will's career, hanging out with the Kingston Trio, kayaking with Steve Jobs, the correct way to kick priceless digital mastering equipment, and much more.

Many of you doubtless know that Will Ackerman was touched by tragedy at an early age. He talks candidly about this when we discuss his beautiful piece, "The Impending Death of The Virgin Spirit." Once again - this is REAL LIFE on the fretboard - but listener discretion is encouraged.

I caught up with Will Ackerman during his visit to the beautiful English town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The hotel where he was staying had been a favorite of Queen Victoria and its staff continue to uphold fastidious levels of excellence...even at one point interrupting the recording with a session of vacuum cleaning right outside the room. While I dealt with this Ackerman was left with a hot mic; I have kept the results for posterity.

To contribute directly to Life on The Fretboard please use this Tip Jar link https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745

This episode was brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Mirabella Guitars https://www.mirabellaguitars.com/ , Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de/, Fretboard Journal and, you, the listener.

To learn more about Will Ackerman visit https://williamackerman.com/

Join me next time where I will be spending time with the extraordinary talent that is Italian singer/songwriter Emma Tricca. You may have seen her on tour with Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets or Dinosaur Jr. It's a fantastic conversation that I can't wait to share with you.

Alan Gogoll Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 3 of Life on the Fretboard: A series of face-to-face conversations between British guitarist, writer and filmmaker Michael Watts and exceptionally talented individuals who live a life on the fretboard.

For this episode, Michael's guest is the frighteningly gifted Australian fingerstyle guitarist Alan Gogoll, whose gentle, whimsical music is given voice via one of the most intriguing, perplexing and musical techniques developed for the acoustic guitar in recent years...bell harmonics.

With an audience that numbers over a million subscribers worldwide and celebrity fans clamoring for the chance to collaborate with him, Alan Gogoll decided to start a new chapter in his life by moving to Berlin for inspiration and a new and calmer state of mind.

This podcast was recorded in Alan's apartment - some six weeks after he made this leap of faith. He discusses the joy of luthier-made guitars, those trademark bell harmonics, protecting innovation and creativity from the acceptance of plagiarism in other cultures, the writing process, and how to add other artistic disciplines to a guitar piece...as well as his recent ban from the social media platform TikTok. Scandal right here!

To contribute directly to Life on the Fretboard please use this Tip Jar link https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745

This episode of Life on the Fretboard is brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de/ and the Fretboard Journal magazine https://www.fretboardjournal.com/.

Thank you to Alan Gogoll - please do visit alangogoll.com and enjoy his music on YouTube, Spotify and Instagram. (But not TikTok.)

https://www.youtube.com/@AlanGogoll

https://www.instagram.com/alangogoll/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7MOxmVjcx5HWoEu9pBWXT3?si=-BhBJIbrRjKHkL7uoh1bGg

Next month's guest is legendary guitarist and founder of Windham Hill Records Will Ackerman - it's an astonishing conversation that we look forward to sharing with you.

Jon Gomm May 09, 2023

Show notes

Jon Gomm is a virtuoso singer-songwriter whose astonishing command of extended acoustic guitar techniques is coupled with thought-provoking lyrics and a dry, often anarchic sense of humor. In this episode of Life on the Fretboard, Gomm shares his thoughts with host Michael Watts on having the guitar as part of his identity as well as a sanctuary, his horror of sonic paradigms and deeply dodgy guitar shops, the importance of Kurt Cobain, Michael Hedges bootlegs, and the vulnerabilities of practicing in airports. Gomm also talks about the role the instrument has played in his life as a cathartic, healing element - particularly in times of loss and sadness. Something we can all perhaps relate to. There is some adult language and listeners outside of the Leeds/Bradford conurbation may benefit from this brief glossary of terms: "To be het up" - to be highly excited, even agitated. "To wazz about" - To travel at great speed, often without a clear destination. Life On The Fretboard is a Michael Watts production for Fretboard Journal and this episode would not be possible without the kind sponsorship of McNally Guitars and Microtech Gefell Microphones. Links: https://www.jongomm.com/ https://mcnallyguitars.com/ https://www.microtechgefell.de/ https://michaelwattsguitar.com/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com/

Tony McManus Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

The Fretboard Journal is proud to welcome you to the very first episode of Life on the Fretboard, a new podcast hosted by British guitarist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Watts.

For his first episode, Michael talks with the astonishing Scottish guitarist Tony McManus. Described by the late John Renbourn as "The Best Celtic Guitarist in the World," McManus has toured the world delighting audiences with a combination of extraordinary musicianship and a deep connection with the music of Scotland.

The conversation flows from an impromptu meeting with the most famous man in Scotland; to heroes such as Renbourn, Bert Jansch, and Isaac Guillory; taking the stage after John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana; adapting Scottish bagpipe pieces for solo guitar; the unforeseen effects of meeting Pat Metheny; and what it means to live a Life on The Fretboard.

Life on the Fretboard is sponsored by The Archtop Foundation www.theblueguitars.com and Microtech Gefell Microphones www.microtechgefell.de and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine.

https://www.tonymcmanus.com/

www.michaelwattsguitar.com

https://www.fretboardjournal.com/

Introduction Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

Life on the Fretboard is the newest addition to the Fretboard Journal's family of podcasts. With each episode, British guitarist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Watts interviews extraordinary individuals from the world of guitars. For his first season, Watts will focus on some of his favorite acoustic fingerstyle guitarists.

Episode one with Tony McManus launches on January 9, 2022.

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