Interview – Adrian Galysh – Adrian Talks About His Release, “Venusian Sunrise” And Big Moments In The Biz
Los Angeles-based guitarist Adrian Galysh is an in-demand solo artist, session guitarist, published author, and educator with an illustrious career spanning five studio albums.
Praised by artists like Carl Verheyen and outlets like Guitar Player and Fireworks magazines, Galysh has a successful trajectory that includes numerous collaborations and performances with industry giants like Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robben Ford, Mike Keneally, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, and many more.
Galysh is also a Guitar World Magazine online lesson columnist and Education Coordinator for Guitar Center Lessons. He’s the author of the book Progressive Guitar Warm-Ups and Exercises. He uses Brian Moore Guitars, D’Angelico Guitars, Suhr Guitars, SIT Strings, Seymour Duncan pickups and effects, Straptight Straplocks, Voodoo Lab and Morley pedals. New Transcendence had a moment of AdriansA time to speak on his love of guitars and his new release, “Venusian Sunrise” which is available now.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): How has music influenced your life in the aspect of instrumentals?
AG: That’s a deep first question! I listen to all sorts of music, though yes, much of my material is instrumental. I would have to admit that it tends to limit my audience sometimes. But like all music, it is often the soundtrack of my life. I love great melodies, and I try to focus on that when I am composing. Certainly, being a guitarist. I gravitated to the instrumental records of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson, and they inspired me to write instrumental music at an early age.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What was the defining factor that made you decide to make music?
AG: From the very beginning, when I started learning to play guitar, I tended to come up with melodies and song ideas of my own. Music was and still is a creative outlet for me, not just a means to perform other people’s music. I remember wanting to do what the guitarists who inspired me to start playing were doing: writing and playing great guitar music.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What was it like growing up? Was there a musical dominance involved in your upbringing?
AG: I took piano lessons at an early age, as my mother played piano, and had my brothers and I try it out as well. There was a lot of classical music in our household as well as some rock and pop records of the time. I remember being enamored with my parent’s vinyl records. I’d have to say hearing guitarist Randy Rhoads when I was 10 years old did it for me. I imagined if it was that exciting to listen to guitar playing like that, that it would be equally awesome to play guitar like that.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): As far as your equipment what is your personal favorite?
AG: I am really into guitars. My top 3 axes are my Brian Moore Adrian Galysh Signature C90F, my Suhr Modern Satin, and my D’Angelico EXL-1. I play those the most.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What part of your album was most difficult in production? Any snags along the way?
AG: The biggest challenge was remembering keyboard parts and some guitar parts for songs I haven’t performed since the original recording in 1997-98. While the guitar parts came to me quicker, the keyboard parts sometimes really miffed me! The rest came relatively easy, though I tend to spend some time dialing in guitar tones.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What does the title, “Virtuoso” mean to you personally?
AG: “Virtuoso” to me, means someone who has mastered their instrument. Trust me, I don’t think I am a virtuoso, as I work on my craft all the time and always have room to improve.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What has been the most memorable encounter or happening in your career?
AG: There has been many, but some nights you just wonder how you got there! One of my all time favorite guitarists, Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), let me play with him back in 2006, at an event called Uli Jon Roth and Friends. As I am on stage playing some of my favorite classic Scorpions tunes, with my favorite guitarist on my right, guitarist Warren De Martini from Ratt next to me, Yngwie Malmsteen’s original vocalist Jeff Scott Soto on vocals, and Francis Buschultz (Scorpions) on bass….. I had a moment in the middle of the song where I just had to pinch myself. But I knew if I gave it more than a second of thought, it would have distracted me from the musical moment.
Toney Emmons (New Transcendence): What is the concept of your album, “Venusian Sunrise” – Why was that name chosen?
AG: I’m not sure it has a concept. But at the time, the name seemed mysterious enough, a little Sci-Fy enough, and cool sounding. I think somewhere between Vai’s “Little Green Men” and Satriani’s “Flying in a Blue Dream” is where my mind was at the time!
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