I have started the recording of a new guitar-oriented record. Although I’m a harcore guitar fan I’ve never done until now an exploration of the sonic possibilities of the instrument. I’m trying to get sounds out of my guitar that have never been heard before. It will also please shred fans, since there are lots of passages with impossible to play guitar techniques. It will also feature some guest appearances from some amazing guitar players. More info about this record coming soon.

My new solo album “Beyond the holographic veil” is already finished. I have really enjoyed the process of composing and recording this album. Most of all I had a great time collaborating with some of my favorite musicians like Reeves Gabrels, Scott Thunes, Mike Garson, Ed Mann, Robert Martin, Don Preston, Geoff Tyson or Marco Minnemann. You can listen to one of the new tracks in my Myspace. The song is called “Sahdowlife” and features the amazing Reeves Gabrels on guitar, the incredible Scott Thunes on bass and the magnificient Geoff Tyson on vocals:

http://www.myspace.com/j21music

You can download the whole record from itunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/es/album/beyond-the-holographic-veil/id401042478

If you want to buy a physical CD send me an email to: j21@lawof21.com

Reeves Gabrels (former David Bowie and Tin Machine guitarrist) is one of my favourite guitar player of all times. It’s a great honour to have him as a guest musician on my upcoming record. He will be using his late 90’s setup (Parker + VG-8) to bring the sound that he used during the Outside – Earthling Bowie era, that I love so much.

Yellow Mind:Blue Mind features performances by legendary hard rock singer Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz), stick player genius Trey Gunn (King Crimson), percussion legend Ed Mann (Zappa) and is produced by guitar magician Geoff Tyson (one of Satriani’s top students and member of the now defunct cult band T-Ride), who also plays bass and additional guitars throughout the record.

“When I started to plan the recording of Yellow Mind:Blue Mind I wanted to design an album as original as possible. Unlike other guitar players I’ve tried to put together a record where guitar virtuosism is very subtle.” explains J21. “I wanted to make a very fresh approach, so all the guitar performances are very improvised. My other main focus was to avoid standard song structures. It was also a great opportunity and a joy to play with some of my favourite musicians, like Graham,Trey or Ed.”

You can also buy the CD online at itunes:

Mattias IA Ecklund is an amazing guitar player with an unique sound. His albums showcase great compositions and amazing musicianship and I highly recommend them. If you haven’t heard him play yet you will be blown away. He also is a big Zappa fan, like myself. He covered The Black Page’ on his first solo album, “Freak Guitar” and his second solo album, “The Road Less Traveled” included the Zappa tribute ‘Asteroid 3834′, which is the Zappafrank asteroid. You can read more about his Zappa connection at the end of the interview.

J21: Tell me about your clinics? What can a student expect?

IA: At the annual Freak Guitar Camp in Sweden where I teach guitar players from

all over the world for three weeks you get to learn tons and tons of

different unorthodox techniques, exotic and synthetic tonality, odd times,

odd tuplets, how to survive showbusiness and lots, lots more.

J21: What makes your teaching method special?

IA: I am not sure I am so special when it comes to teaching but I do my best to

encourage everyone to grow their own moustaches, so to speak, to find their

own voice in their playing. It is all that matters to me. I am sitting right

now in the deep south of the United States where I spent last of days

hanging and teaching together with Guthrie Govan. Guthrie is so all-round it

hurts. He can play anything right off the bat. I am the total opposite, I

only know my own music.

J21: How did you approach the recording of guitars for your recent albums?

IA: To get a good, in-your-face tone. I go nuts when the guitar sounds distant.

If I suck, I want to hear it and the other way around. Keep it simple. Do

not put a lot of gear in between your guitar and the amp.

J21: What kind of equipment do you use for recording the guitars?

IA: Laney amps (GH100L) and cabs. Caparison Guitars. Shure SM 57. An old Art

tube preamp and then straight into the computer.

J21: You are well-known for your amazing use of harmonics. Can you give some

advice to guitar students trying to get clear sounding harmonics?

IA: Go for it! Only make sure you know you hit the right place by picking the

harmonic first. It can be quite noisy in the beginning but you can do it.

J21: I assume you have a Home Studio? What kind of set-up do you have?

IA: Again, quite simple. I am interested in music, not jerking around with a

zillion plug-ins only to loose the tune somewhere along the way. All my Pro

Tools buddies think I am nuts but I refuse to stop using my old Ensoniq

Paris system because it sounds so lovely. I actually buy every system I can

lay my hands on since it is getting close to retirement and is falling

apart, little by little. A couple of compressors and pre amps and that’s it.

J21: Have you ever record guitars using software amp simulators? What do you

think about them?

IA: It doesn’t work for me I’m afraid. It sounds great at first but when you put

it in context it is a whole different ballgame. (It blends like shit to put

it frankly). I also need the response of a hard working tube amp.

J21: Tell us a little bit about you signature Caparison guitar.

IA: It is the best instrument on Earth. I have played Caparison for the past 14

years and they just keep getting better. We will release two new models in

November. I will go to Japan to present them at the annual Tokyo Music

Instruments fair. Together with my friend Anders Thidell’s True Temperament

fretting system, it is the work of God!

J21: Can you explain the advantages of the True Temperament fret system? Do

your signature guitar come with this feature?

IA: I hope to have it as an option on the two new models but it is tricky

business since the necks will have to be shipped to Sweden where the frets

will be put on. After that the necks will be shipped back to the factory in

Nagoya and from there shipped to the customers or shops around the planet. A

costly process. However, and this is easy for me to say because I am

endorsed, but I think, I really think it is worth it. I will never go back

playing regular frets. True Temperament Frets are divine. A whole new

experience.

J21: What are you listening to lately?

IA: The new Freak Kitchen album Land of the Freaks.

J21: What are your all time favorite records?

IA: Overnite Sensation by Frank Zappa, Destroyer with Kiss, the music to Dead

Ringers by Howard Shore, anything with Dean Martin, anything with Django

Reinhardt anything with Jeff Beck.

J21: Favorite gig you’ve ever played?

IA: Hmm… Tricky question. We have done plenty of concerts where I walked of

stage in utter bliss. We have done loads of gigs not so blissful as well.

India is always nice to play. Paris and France in general we have had our

moments.

J21: What do think about the recent music industry changes?

IA: In a way quite healthy since stuff like iTunes actually work in practice. It

is affordable and it is almost no use to download music illegally because it

is so easy to access and with tiptop quality. Interesting times, these.

J21: You are signed to Favored Nations. What are the advantages of being

attached to a record company these days if you compare it to self releasing

your own stuff. Thanks to the internet you can reach easily all your fans.

IA: Well, a day only has 24 hours and every once in a while you need help to get

your tunes out there. For me being on Favored Nations has been a blessing.

So many lovely things have happened due to this that would never have

happened if I only sell my CDs online from our own site. The power of the

internet is wonderful though and sites like Facebook and MySpace are the

best tools out there.

J21: What are worknig on now. What can we expect from you in the future.

IA: I am recording my next Freak Guitar album, to be released in 2010. I have

recently finished a three year long production, the new Freak Kitchen album

mentioned earlier. A CD I am very happy with. A wonderful gut feeling having

busted my butt for eons of time. I think it easily the best album we’ve put

together and that is all that matter to me. Progress.

J21: What advice can you give to guitar players looking for his own identity in

the instrument?

IA: To listen to yourself and be honest. Growing your own moustache can be

tricky but boy, does it make life more fun!

Mattias and Zappa

(sourse: www.freakguitar.com)

I first saw Frank Zappa in 1981 (I was twelve then) and I didn’t understand a thing of the music being performed.
All the songs were strung together as one composition, the audience had to sit down all the time (whenever someone got too carried away and started to dance Frank told them gently to get back to their seat so him and the band could continue “to play music”).
My buddy Jörgen, whom I went to the concert with, bought the Frank Zappa album “Sheik Yerbouti” and neither of us understood it either and put it away.

A couple of maturing years later I bumped into “Overnite Sensation” and things changed monumentally. I couldn’t believe the coolness of the songs on that record combined with the superb musicianship and most important of all:attitude. Unlike some quasi-complicated fusion-crap, Zappa always had a point with his sometimes extremely complex tunes. This really appealed to me and over the years I have bought every Zappa record available and got to see him a second time in 1988.

There’s a Zappa record for every mood. My fingers search over the CDs on the shelf for the record(s) of the day. It’s like the Cronenberg movies or Tintin comics, when you´ve listened, watched or read through all of them, go back and begin forward. It’s true, I never get tired of these things.

Steve Vai has been one of the true innovators in guitar history and certainly one of J21’s biggest influences. With the release of a new live DVD / CD entitled “Where the Wild Things are” Steve continues to push the boundaries of his guitar playing. So, it’s a good time for J21 to conduct a little interview with Mr. Vai.

J21: After several G3 DVDs and a solo live DVD, why did you decide to release a new live concert now?

SV: I wanted to get on tour with different type of band and create an overall show that was relatively unique, and make a DVD out of it. Plus, this is what I do.

J21: I’ve heard you talk years ago about the title “where the wild things are”. Why did you feel this was the right time to use it?

SV: Because it suited the contents of the DVD. The title has a mystique and mystery to it. And there are some very wild things in this DVD.

J21: You have included in your new line-up violins. What brings the addition of this instrument to you live sound?

SV: The violins allow me to create a wall of sound that is both smooth and powerful. They can play amazingly well and it’s fascinating to see them

wail. It brings the music to a whole new level.

J21: You have always been an incredible performer and showman. How has your live playing evolved over the years?

SV: Every time I play a show I make a conscious effort to become more and more in tune with the instrument and the audience. I go into a meditative trance on stage that gets deeper every year.

J21: You’ve been presenting the “Alien Guitar Secrets”  throughout Europe in the past months. What was your goal in this 3-hour masterclass?

SV: I have experienced many things in the past 30 years of being a professional. When I look back I can see specific moments where I made great strides, and some mistakes, in my career as a musician, guitar player, business person, and independent artist. I enjoy sharing these things with people who have not gone through them yet. If you can inspire someone then it gives you a sense that you are using your gifts responsibly.

J21: I’ve recorded recently my first solo album featuring Graham Bonnet on vocals. He thinks you are the best musicians he’s never played with and that “Disturbing the Peace” is the best record he’s never been part of. It is also one of my favorite records, too. What are your memories about the making of this album and what is your opinion about it today?

SV: For me it was a special time working with special musicians. It was the first real Band I was in since high school and there was a strong camaraderie. Besides the fact that Graham Bonnet was, and is a stunning singer and someone I enjoyed writing songs with, he was a friend. He was a famous professional before I was and I learned things from him. I very much enjoy having a solo career and being in control of everything but a part of me pines for those simple and fun days of Alcatrazz with guys who were passionate and dedicated to the music and the band as a team.

J21: I’ve been reading all your interviews from the mid-eighties until now and they are very, very different if we look at the subjects you talk about. Back then you spoke about some personal stuff that you never mention in the more recent interviews. Is it a conscious effort to avoid these subjects or is the result of a personal change?

SV: There are few things I consciously avoid but you will never know what they are. When I’m asked a question I do my best to direct my answer to the question so if I don’t talk a bout a particular subject, it’s because I wasn’t asked.

J21: You played with Frank Zappa for 3 years and I know you love his music very much. I really loved the 88-tour line-up, and I will have Scott Thunes and Ed Mann play together for the first time since Frank dismantled the tour in my upcoming album. What is your favorite Zappa tour line-up?

SV: The Roxy Band.

J21: Flex-able was your first solo album and it had a Zappaesque spirit that love. Have you ever thought about recording something in that direction?

SV: There is an element of that direction in everything that I do. A playful side but back then I was finding my way and the Zappa influence is obvious. But it is also obvious that I needed to discover myself and every new project moves in that direction. It’s the same for all of us.

J21: Years ago you talked about having plans of recording a whole record focusing heavily on the guitar, even more guitar oriented than Passion and Warfare. Are you still thinking about doing it?

SV: Yes, but other ideas seem to always get in the way.

J21: You are the owner of Favored Nations. How does the recent changes in the musical industry affected your business? Do you feel it’s harder for musicians to get noticed now than it was, let’s say 15 years ago?

SV: I think it’s easier for good musicians to get noticed because of the internet and youtube, etc. There is not as much of a smoke screen. It’s right there in front of you. Pop music will always be on top and that’s OK. I think that things like American Idol have made it possible for actually talented pop stars to be noticed. It would be nice if there was a show like that for musically and artistically talented people to shine but much of that happens when a very talented yet unknown kid is sitting in his bedroom and he puts a video of himself up on youtube.

J21: Have you ever heard about a band from the early 90’s called T-Ride? If yes, what do you think about theyr debut album and the way Geoff Tyson played guitar on it?

SV: Haven’t heard of them.

J21: You should. We all know about your guitar workouts back when you were younger.What are your practice routines this days? How much time do you devote to the instrument to keep such an incredible technique?

SV: I try to devote at least 1-2 hours a night of undisturbed playing. But if I’m working on a project where I have to play I can spend all day playing.

J21: What are your favorite guitar players at the moment?

SV: Tommy Emmanuel

J21: What are you listening to these days?

SV: Devin Townsend

J21: What advice can you give to starting guitar players looking for his own identity in the instrument?

SV: Imagine the kind of player you want to be in your head. Actually visualize yourself playing that way and then go about making it real by keeping focused on the vision.

J21: What can we expect of you in the future?

SV: I’ll let you know then.

I’ve collected some reviews and comments about Yellow Mind:Blue Mind’ from different sources:

monsieurdelire.com: A first solo album by J21, a guitarist I could describe as a Joe Satriani taking his time. Let’s say the man value musicality and arrangements over sheer prowess. This is a good modern rock record, with a nice cast of guests – mostly Trey Gunn (King Crimson) and Ed Mann (Zappa). Recommended to fans of Gordian Knot.

Metal Hammer Spain: 4 out of 5 stars

Projekction.net (King Crimson Net): Highly recommended!!

itunes customer review: Great album and great musicianship! 5 stars rating. Very recommended!!

Guitar Player Forum user: The recording quality of the CD is very good and it surprises me that I have never heard of this great musician in any magazines before. The 7 intros and 7 outros are a mix of guitar soundscapes and clean guitar passages. I found out about him reading a good review in a Crimson forum and decided to go for it. I was, of course, not deceived. I would also like to know nore about the character, since an aura of mistery surrounds all the titles and artwork of the album.

Guitar World Forum user: I totally love “Yellow Mind Blue Mind”. 

Unimeri.com: J21 is a guitarist and Frank Zappa enthusiast from Barcelona, Spain, who has just put out his first solo album. Featured on the album are some renowned musicians, for example the hard rock singer Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz), stick player Trey Gunn (King Crimson, here playing bass and the second guitar solo on the opener ”Within the Space of 7 Breaths”) and percussionist Ed Mann (Frank Zappa). The album was produced by a Joe Satriani student Geoff Tyson, who also plays bass, sitar, guitar and synth. So, quite big names.

J21 wanted to create an album that would be as varied as possible. With the quite improvised guitar parts he wanted to keep away from the virtuosity bragging, that’s so common on the albums of other guitar heroes. He also tried to avoid the conventional strong structures. To a certain degree he has succeeded in his goals. The seven pieces on the album include both instrumentals and vocals tracks. At times the guitar sound gets pretty heavy, but there are also some peaceful, beautiful parts in there. Many of the tracks also include programmed drums, and there is some more experimental touch to be found as well. The album still has some guitar hero stuff, so the fans of fast guitar runs will get their dose. This is totally proficient stuff in its own field. It’s a pretty strong album.

chaos.com: Extravagantly packaged and lusciously produced, Yellow Mind Blue Mind is the sound of Graham Bonnett, Trey Gunn and Geoff Tyson combining for what might be the first ever heavy metal new age album, a collection of seven bruising soundscapes that draw their inspiration from some delightfully long-winded titles (”On The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean”, anyone?) but never outstay their welcome. Understandably imbued with an element of old King Crimson, but equally redolent of some of 70s prog’s other wild prognostications, Yellow Mind Blue Mind also tips its hat towards some dramatically industrial notions; and, while Bonnett-watchers might be disappointed by his lack of involvement (he sings on just two of the three vocal cuts; Alejandro Jodorowsky is the star of the third), simply waiting for him to arrive is a journey in itself. It’s not an easy album to love, but it is a very rewarding one.

idiotbastard.com – Zappa website: Experimental guitar player J21 (aka Joseph Diaz, who put together the Eyeinhand Sampler CD a few years back) has produced a great debut album here. Mixed and produced by former T-Ride, Snake River Conspiracy guitar god Geoff Tyson, and featuring performances from Trey Gunn, Graham Bonnet and Ed Mann, it’s essentially a guitar-based rock album, but has lots of nice spacey interludes and acoustic playing.

Andrew Greenaway, the mastermind behind the “Idiot Bastard website” (www.idiotbastard.com), is compiling a CD featuring 20 artists with the task of condensing Zappa’s “Burnt Weeny Sandwich” album into a 3-5 minute piece.

I’ve already delivered my track called simply “Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Phaze 21″, so look for  this amazing CD in the near future. It will be released by Cordelia Records. In the meantime you can listen to “20 Extraordinary Renditions – Idiot Bastard Son” also compiled by Andrew. For all the information about this and all the latest news about Frank Zappa and his alumni check www.idiotbastard.com.

Music is the best,

J21

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a huge influence on everything i do. He has helped me shape the imaginary universe inside my head into the reality that surrounds me. This could be in definition: Magic, and this is what he is to me, a real magician universally known to turn thrash into gold, like a modern alchemist.

I first knew about him through the world of comics. I was fascinated by his infinite creative mind. He used the medium not only to tell a story but to teach you discover yourself, and that was a revelation to me. As I later found out, knowing Alejandro is a healing process.

Later, I discover his movies, the theater, the Tarot and his books. I enjoyed it immensely while I learned so much reading his books. And then it was the practical side of it. In the world of Alejandro you can act immediately, every lesson needs an action and this turns you in the main character of your own story.

Years ago, when I met him for the first time he gave me advice and a psychomagical act. This is his own method of healing your body and soul. It had a major impact on my life and specially on my way of approaching art, music and guitar playing Years later I would join him as a student in a weekend seminar of what I call ‘The art of universal resonance’.  I spoke with him about many things and he was kind enough to collaborate on my album Yellow Mind:Blue Mind saying a magical word that can be heard during a song.

Then finally I would like to transmit you some of his wisdom:

‘What you give to others, you give it to you. What you take away from others, you take away form you’

For more information about Alejandro, don’t wait, read his comics and books or watch his movies: act.

Watch for J21’s new column in Total Guitar (Spain edition). The first lesson will be published in the June edition. In this series of columns J21 will teach alternative ways to push your musicality to new limits and help you reach your goals with the guitar.