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17Jan2015
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Interview—Seawall’s lead guitarist, Matt Kellogg
To warm you up for a live webcast (Listen Local SD, Green Room Sessions, featuring Seawall’s Jon Kayden and Matt Kellogg) we asked Matt a few question’s we thought you might be interested in:
Q: What originally inspired you to start playing the guitar?
A: Growing up, both my parents were musical and there was a lot of music in the house. I also grew up in a really music oriented church where there were many different kinds of musicians who played everything. It really inspired me to pick up the guitar because we had one at home and it was an instrument that I could take with me. It also seemed like the most expressive instrument to me.
Q: What was your first guitar that was your own?
A: I started playing guitar at 13 on my Dad’s old Yamaha acoustic guitar. I played that for 2 years and then got a Fender Stratocaster from some family friends that owned the local music store. It’s still a great guitar and a still play it.
Q: Who were your childhood influences?
A: I grew up listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Santana as well as Pink Floyd. I think the influence is definitely there in my playing now. As a teenager, I got really into bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, the Get up Kids and later the Juliana Theory.
Q: Do you know of a specific landmark that your guitar playing was taken to the next level?
A: I don’t think there was a specific moment that really stands out. I grew up “jamming” with my dad which really helped my improvisational abilities. Also, growing up playing guitar in church helped me learn to really listen to what others are playing and to be tasteful with what I add to the overall sound. Doing this for years on end has really made me a much better musician.
Q: What is your favorite gear that you use right now?
A: I have a few things I really enjoy. I love the sound of my Fender Twin amp. I also use a VFE blueprint which is an echo pedal and a TC electronic Nova delay that gives me some great sounds as well as various overdrive pedals.
Q: What guitars do you play?
A: I have a great Gibson Les Paul, but lately have been playing a Music Man Albert Lee guitar with a rosewood neck that sounds fantastic, especially with Seawall.
Q: What artists have influenced you most as a guitar player?
A: I enjoy a lot of different kinds of music, but I would say it would be a combination of David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, as well as the whole Clarity album from Jimmy Eat World. There are times that I still try to play like Stevie Ray Vaughan, but I don’t think I will ever be in the same ball park!
Q: What are a couple bands you have been listening to lately?
A: I have been listening to Bad Suns lately. They have a good sound. I also like the new album from Andrew McMahon as well as City and Colour. For blues, Joe Bonamassa is really good.
Thanks Matt for taking the time to answer our questions!
To hear more from Matt Kellogg and Jon Kayden stay tuned for an exclusive live webcast with KPRI in a couple weeks, on January 30th! They will be talking about their music and even playing a couple acoustic versions of their Seawall songs.
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