Apr 23, 2007

Thoughts while playing live

I've been doing a ton of editing for the Toto Dvd the past week or so. I'm really happy with how it's turning out so far and I just finished a rough draft of Simon Phillips' interview. I really enjoy his interview and he brought up some really interesting topics. One of the topics was what he thinks about while playing. What a great topic because first of all, it's really interesting to hear about what he thinks about and second, sometimes I was laughing because I can relate to what he was talking about.

It made me think about when I'm playing in Ottmar's band. I don't like to think. I like to reach that level where I can shut my brain off and feel the music. I love that about this band, it seems that every one goes there. It's a place we all meet together to play. It's like a meditative state for me. Once and a while it's hard for me to shut my brain off as it's very active and creative all the time and sometimes drives me crazy.

The most silly things can pop into my head while playing. I don't quite understand it but it happens. For the most part, I'm concentrating and feeling the music. Sometimes I think about what's coming up next if it's a part I really need to focus on. Other times some of the most ridicules things pop into my head. I remember playing the show in ABQ. That was the show when OL announced my name and I stood up and walked forward and did the most ridicules bow. (they dared me to do it) I got a very mixed response. Some people were laughing, and I think other's thought, "what's wrong with this kid??" Anyway, I remember one time during the show I was playing and then my cat came into my thoughts running around trying to take my guitar strings, then I thought, wait, I'm playing a show, why is this in my head?? Sometimes my brain will start playing tricks on me, is this the first or second chorus? That doesn't happen that often but at that point I have to turn that thought process off right away and just feel where song is going. It could be about how the catering was, or traveling on the bus. Some shows, no thoughts have come to mind, I love it when that happens.

Another thing I do through out the entire show, I'll scan what I'm hearing. It kind of flows back'n forth. It's almost like when you're driving. I think I heard OL tell me this once. You're really not thinking about the fact that you're driving. You're looking forward, then down to check your speed, then looking in the rear view mirror etc.. You kind of do it automatically. Same fore live, I'll tune in to OL for a bit, then to Davo on Percussion, or wait, Jons bass isn't loud enough, ok I'll have to bring the level up after the song is finished, after this part I need to play the keys, I just heard some one in the audience etc..

I like to look over at Davo during certain parts of the show. Sometimes during Duende, there are a few parts where I don't play. Ottmar, Jon and Davo are playing and at that point I love to look over and watch them for a few seconds. The mix in my in-ears sound great and to see them that close, I feel like, wow, I have a good seat here. One time I remember thinking, this looks like a close up shot on a live DVD.

Apr 13, 2007

Snow

So much for the beautiful spring weather we had last week. It has been snowing all morning and afternoon. We're supposed to get 1 to 3 inches today.

Apr 11, 2007

Where did the nick name "Astro" come from??

I've been getting a few emails asking where the nick name "Astro" came from.
...ok, in 1999 the band Toto played at a club I was working at in LA. They didn't have their L.D. (lighting director) with them at the time. I was recommended to run lights for them by my boss "Pilgrim" who is the monitor engineer for "Def Leppard"now. (That was the band that inspired me to start playing guitar in the first place when I was 12 with their album "Hysteria")

To make a long story even longer.... They were very happy with the job I did and asked me to come with them to the east coast to do 3 shows in Atlantic City. I can't tell you how nervous I was during the 5 hour flight to the east cost, it was a long 5 hours. I had never been on tour before and wanted to do the best job I could. The shows went really well and they asked me to continue the tour over the summer with them. Thats where my touring life started. I was 23 at the time. Later that summer, we took a tour bus starting in Nashville and headed south down towards New Orleans. They said, after the show tonight, we're getting on the bus and heading out. I said,"oh, ok.... Greyhound??" and then I heard a huge roar of laughter. Yeah yeah, what can I say, I was young. But that's when the term "Astro" came up. Short for "Astro turf" which is the color "green", Get it?? But now days I've been around the block a few times and it's been shortened to "Stro". So that's where the name comes from. Also, a bunch of my friends call me "Stevo" including OL. Either one works, I'll respond to both.

After that summer traveling with the band they had continued to ask me out on the road with them. The following year, I found my self in a stadium in Mexico City doing a light show for Toto in front of 53,000 people when they opened up for Eric Clapton. One of the biggest highlights of my lighting career. When I was back in LA I would continue to write and record songs with the flamenco guitar and work in the club scene. Over the years my travels led me on a world tour with Toto through the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Central America, South America, South Pacific, South East Asia and Europe.



Around that time, I also went out on tour doing lighting for "The Down From the Mountain Tour" which was all of the music from the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou". A great tour with Emmy Lou Harris, Allison Krauss and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley, Patty Loveless etc.. After that I went out on tour doing lighting for Olivia Newton-John and eventually Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra. That was the tour I brought my guitar along and played back stage with Ottmar during some free time. A great moment in my life especially after he asked me to join the band for the following summer tour.

As for this summer, It looks like I may cross paths with Toto while touring with Ottmar as we'll play the night after they play up at the Mountain Winery. It's a small world.

Apr 9, 2007

Monday Night Flamenco

A great evening having pizza and beer with Ottmar. Great conversations and listening to music. The pizza was tasty as usual, onions, bell pepper and green chile. No need for crushed red pepper with the fresh green chile.

When I got home I realized that I need to change strings soon. It's about that time again.

Video

Today the recording room has been converted into "Astro's Edit Suite". I'll be working over the next bunch of weeks on all the video footage I took of Toto in Europe. I'll be making an extra effort to practice the guitar in the mean time as well. When I dive in to a project I usually go in 122.8%. I have to make sure I play everyday to keep my chops up, especially since I was away from the guitar for a few weeks while on tour.

After hearing some of the new music ideas while spring cleaning my HD yesterday, I got the itch to want to write more. (I was afraid of that). I need two of me at the moment so I can do a lot of stuff here. Also, I'm very much looking forward to the summer tour dates with Ottmar.

Apr 8, 2007

Easter Sunday

Today has been a good day to do some spring cleaning on the hard drive I record with. I've been putting it off for quite some time and now I'm happy to get it done. It's been sunny on and off and sorta warm today. It feels nice to have the windows open and get a breeze as I eat a chocolate easter bunny while working. The chocolate bunny was much better this year then last year. I tried one with the crispy things in it and it's pretty tasty. I strongly recommend this kind compared to those hollow ones. So far so good, all the Thira sessions are organized. I came across a few tunes and ideas I had forgotten about as well. Maybe something that can be worked with for future songs, who knows.

Apr 5, 2007

NEWS

B-Roll Shooter

A new addition to my BIO by Lawrence Russell at Culture Court.


Thanks so much Lawrence!

Apr 2, 2007

NEWS


Azhar Remix now available the Listening Lounge.