Music

Sixty Scales and the Truth with Niels Guns

More than just a music podcast, Sixty Scales and the Truth reveals the human struggles, triumphs, and profound life lessons behind the strings of exceptional guitarists. It’s an invitation to discover the truth behind the scales, one unforgettable face-to-face conversation at a time. Whether you’re a die-hard guitar enthusiast, a casual music lover, or simply someone who appreciates craftmanship, resilience and creativity, this podcast will leave you inspired, enriched, and eager to uncover more of the wisdom and artistry that these guitar icons have to offer.

Latest Episodes:

Marcos Mena (Standards) Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

‘Standards is the gradual process of me tryingto accept who I am.’ Yes, we dove deep in this episode featuring Marcos Mena of ‘fruit rock’ band Standards. Marcos was kind enough to invite me to his home in Long Beach California. There we had an extended chat about many things: his youth, family, discovering your voice, doing what you really like and need to do in life and finally just trying to accept who you are. I considered cutting this episode in two parts, since it’s longer than most others. But then I figured:I consider these conversations in a way as an improvised musical conversation. Well prepared, but anything can happen. No sense of cutting an improvisation intwo, right? Again: I consider myself blessed for all the conversations I had thus far in this podcast series. All chats have been special to me, and this one is definitely no exception. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Allen Hinds Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

One of my favorite things to do is visiting guitarists in their own space. Allen Hinds was kind enough to welcome me into his home in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. Not only did he treat me to the strongest coffee I’ve ever had, but also to a deeply honest conversation where he shared his life’s journey in a raw and vulnerable way.
Allen has been through some of life’s darkest moments—and he came out on the other side. His latest album, The Good Fight, is a beautiful testament to that. If you ask me, Allen has one of the most elegant guitar tones you’ll ever hear. I got to see him live at The Baked Potato, and—wow—his improvisations are just as delicate as they are adventurous.
More than anything, Alan turned out to be an incredibly kind and generous person. Oh, and if you’re a Jeff Buckley fan, make sure to listen to Allen’s stories—he’s got some amazing anecdotes!

Alexander Misko Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Sixty Scales and the Truth, I welcome the incredibly talented guitarist Alex Misko. From his roots in Krasnodar, Russia, to finding a new home in Germany, Alex opens up about his personal and professional journey. They discuss his transition from classical guitar to fingerstyle, his unique approach to composing music, and the struggles of being a musician in difficult times. Alex also shares his thoughts on why he prefers creating original music over performing covers, the philosophy behind his workshops, and how he found his voice in the guitar community. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe and give this episode a like if you enjoyed it.

Chris Buck Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Recently, I picked up my 4-year-old son from school and struck up a conversation with the father of one of his classmates. Before long, we found ourselves talking about this podcast series. The father mentioned that he was also a guitarist and, moreover, the son of a professional musician. "In my opinion, there’s one guitarist who stands head and shoulders above everyone else," he said. "And that’s Chris Buck."
"Ha!" I replied. "I actually spoke to him just yesterday."

Chris truly is a ‘one of a kind’ guitarist. Every note he plays sounds so beautiful, so precise, so charming, and expressive. His phrasing is incredibly delicate, he crafts his solos masterfully, and he never shows everything he’s got—though you know there’s more left in the tank. That always grabs my attention. And it moves me. Just like that father at the schoolyard.

Speaking of fathers: in this candid conversation, we also talk about family and the influences we carry from the environment in which we were raised. Once again, I’m incredibly grateful for this encounter, the conversation, and the lessons I’ve learned by speaking with someone who masters his craft in such an extraordinary way.

Joscho Stephan Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Every now and then, I still discover guitarists the old-fashioned way—not through Instagram, Facebook, or Spotify's algorithm, but simply because they take the stage like a jack-in-the-box, completely unexpected. The phenomenal German guitarist Joscho Stephan is one such artist. I had never heard of him until he joined Tommy Emmanuel for a few songs during a concert in Eindhoven. I don’t often listen to gypsy jazz, but Joscho’s playing completely won me over. He builds a bridge to gypsy jazz for hardcore rock fans—a group I’m part of myself. Like many masters of the genre, Joscho is an incredibly virtuosic musician. He has a fresh perspective, an open mind, and isn’t constrained by the dogmas of gypsy jazz. Even John Petrucci is a fan! I read a few months after that show that Petrucci contributed to Joscho’s new album. Keep an eye on this German phenomenon!

Al di Meola Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Every guest on this podcast is a legend in their own way, and Al Di Meola is undeniably a living legend. Mention "Friday Night in San Francisco" to any guitarist, and you'll likely spark memories, anecdotes, and a deep sense of admiration. For my conversation with Al, I had planned to gently ask about the heart attack he suffered on stage in Romania last year. However, after simply asking, "Al, how are you?" he shared the entire story in vivid detail. Throughout this candid interview, Al surprised me multiple times. He revealed that rejection was a significant motivator early in his career. He was once kicked out of a band, only to see the group reassembled a week later. He channeled that pain into laser focus and determination. I'm always fascinated by how exceptional guitarists like Al achieve such hyperfocus and push their boundaries. As a bonus at the end of the episode, you'll hear a few questions from Harry Valentino, the guitarist of High Fade. Harry previously shared that Al Di Meola is his favorite guitarist. Thank you, Harry, and thank you, Al, for this inspiring conversation!

Oz Noy Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Where I used to discover new artists through friends and often by reading the credits in CD booklets, these days I mostly rely on algorithms. It might not sound as romantic, but it does lead to some fantastic discoveries. That’s how, sometime last year, Oz Noy came onto my radar. His name sounds like a character straight out of L. Frank Baum’s famous book. His playing is just as imaginative and adventurous as the journeys through the Land of Oz. At times, it squeaks and grates, but there are always surprises waiting. He was already performing on stage at a relatively young age and took the leap to move to New York in his early twenties. In our conversation, we delve deeply into his connection with that city and explore his collaborations with top-tier musicians. As rich and colorful as his playing is, Oz has a dry way of summarizing life in words: “I remember when I stopped going to school, I was a little freaked out. My parents were freaked out. But I started practicing all the time. Once you practice, you get into a routine, then everybody kind of chilled out.”

Harry Valentino (High Fade) Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Some bands make you smile, give you energy, and make you feel alive. For me, that band is High Fade. 🎶 Playing as a power trio (drums, bass, guitar), they bring raw energy and chemistry to every performance. Guitarist Harry Valentino doesn’t just play; he’s part of the rhythm section with his dynamic, groove-driven style while also shredding incredible solos. 🎸High Fade often takes to the streets for busking gigs, driven by their passion for music and love of connecting with new audiences. Watching their videos, you can feel the joy they radiate—it’s infectious! Their debut album, Life’s Too Fast, is out now, and it’s the ultimate feel-good soundtrack.When I sat down with Harry, he shared some incredible stories about the band and his personal journey. These conversations made me realize that while High Fade is all about fun, but there's so much more to this band. These guys are on a mission, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes them!

Jakub Zytecki Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

"This is actually my favorite guitarist," I remember Plini saying these words during a show in Nijmegen (yes, the town where Eddie Van Halen grew up) and thought, “Hm, I should check this guy out.” I’m glad I did!

"I'm trying to be less melancholic." These were the words Jakub spoke just before our interview during a workshop at the Guitar Summit in Mannheim, and they resonated in my mind. Why? I asked myself. The music of this fantastic – and I repeat, FANTASTIC – guitarist can indeed be somewhat melancholic at times. But in a beautiful way. It's music you can simply lose yourself in. Jakub composes like a painter creating a canvas: it's rich, colorful music that sounds unlike anything else I know. I'm very grateful to Jakub for how open he was during this conversation, despite mentioning that he's not really a social person. I'm really looking forward to seeing him live again.

Nick Johnston Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

News alert!

Scoring scoops isn’t exactly my goal during the conversations for this podcast. When Nick Johnston announced two new projects during the recording, my initial reaction was simply excitement. It wasn’t until the editing phase that I realized: “Hey, this is news!”

Nick revealed that he has started a band with superstar drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson). He’s also coming out with a trilogy of solo albums accompanied by a full-fledged novel. I can’t wait for this music to see the light of day.

However, it was another sentence that stuck with me after the conversation with Nick: “I have two brothers, and they’ve never heard my music. They’ve never came to a concert of mine. And they’ve never asked me anything about my music.”

Nick speaks very openly about how this was once painful for him, but he’s managed to put that pain aside. Most of the super guitarists I speak with for this series have families that support them through thick and thin. Nick, however, comes from a background where his passion wasn’t exactly understood. I find it incredibly impressive that he’s broken free from this, found his own path, and walked it, no matter how big the obstacles were along the way.

For those who don’t know Nick: his music can be summed up in five words: un-be-lie-va-ble. The unique way he plays always resonates with me immediately. He also has a gifted sense of harmony and melody. Is he the very best? Of course, that’s a matter of taste. But if you asked me with a gun to my head, there’s a good chance his name would slip out.