Leading up to the Melbourne Guitar Show, What’s My Scene will be celebrating GUITARISTS. Stay tuned for our exclusive Q&As, Vintage Guitar Scenes, Snap Scene features, and much much more.
Andrew Wrigglesworth from the The Weeping Willows answers our questions:
How long have you been playing guitar? Why did you first start playing guitar?
I started playing guitar in high school when I was around 14 in 1995 (can you believe 1995 was 22 years ago!). In all honesty I had originally started learning guitar to attract the girls (I was a teenager after all). When the girls still didn’t think I was “cool” I was already falling in love with playing, watching, touching, drawing and drooling over the guitar.
Which guitarist most influenced your playing?
There are so many players out there that have been a huge influence. I guess the main ones that have been an influence on the sound I’ve always tried to emulate are people like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Nick Charles, Tommy Emmanuel and David Rawlings.
Describe your favorite guitar.
Acoustic-wise, the guitar that I just always love to play, write and tour with is my little L00 Gibson Blues King. I love the acoustic and electric sound it produces; it’s easy to travel with and has never let me down. As I’m left handed, Gibson’s are just so hard to find so if I do come across another lefty Blues King, I’ll buy it straight away as I’d love to have two in the collection.
How do you prepare for a show?
I always will rehearse up various songs that might make the set at home before a show. I’m really picky about volume and balance of my monitor/foldback on stage so I’ll always make sure I get that setup to my liking too.
Which artist/band was/is your favourite to play guitar with?
There have been so many. A few highlights for me over the years have been playing with Tommy Emmanuel, Bruce Matiskie and Brett Wood in Nashville USA at the Chet Atkins Convention. Over the past few years I’ve been able to do some gigs locally with Nick Charles, Justin Bernasconi and Bill Chambers that have been such an amazing experience.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Roast Chicken dinner – Conservative and predicable but sometimes delicious.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
Many years ago, the first time I went on tour to London, we played at a little venue in Earls Court called “The Troubadour” which has always been considered legendary. What was even more legendary and sheer luck was Billy Thorpe was sitting in the front row, watching us and drinking a beer. We ended up sitting down and chatting to him about life with the Aztecs and some of his road and studio anecdotes.
What, or who, inspires you?
In general, genuine and honest people. I respect musicians who choose taste and sensitivity over flash and cool. Someone who I feel has all the boxes ticked as an all round killer songwriter, performer and guitar player is Bill Chambers. Every time I play music with him, talk to him or see one of his shows I walk away feeling like I’ve leant something.
Which song do you wish you wrote the riff for?
Eagle Rock – Daddy Cool. No other riff in my mind is as cool.
If you had unlimited money, what would your dream guitar setup be?
I’d LOVE a 12 string, either a Martin or Gibson if you could organise that thanks!
What’s next for you?
We (The Weeping Willows) have just finished an Australia wide tour with Lachlan Bryan and are now currently on a tour with Brad Butcher for the next 4 weeks. After that, lots more songwriting, festivals and gigs until the end of the year.
What is the best thing about the Melbourne Guitar Show this August?
Being able to get the Melbourne guitar family together under one roof. Itâs a joy to be able to catch all of your faviourite guitarists at the same venue. Also all the new guitars to check out will be absolute heaven!
What’s your scene?
I’m a singer/songwriter/guitarist that plays with my partner in a duo called The Weeping Willows. We love travelling together and going to explore and play music in new places all over the world. When we are not on tour or at work we are very much homebodies and hang out in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne.
http://www.theweepingwillows.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/theweepingwillows
About the Melbourne Guitar Show
It was big in 2015, huge in 2016, and today the Australian Music Association has announced the 2017 return of the Melbourne Guitar Show to rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6 and this year, it’ll be bigger than ever. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the line-up boasts not only an incredible haul of local guitarists, but also massive international artists UK’s legendary Steve Hackett (Genesis), Canada’s renowned Nick Johnston and UK superstar Alex Hutchings.
In addition to some killer performances, MGS will also hold a monster exhibition that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology, both home-grown and from around the world. It will continue to be Australia’s biggest guitar pop-up shop and that’s not all. In addition to this, the Melbourne Guitar Show will host information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists, including: Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles and Bob Spencer with many more to be announced.
This year will be extra special as the Melbourne Guitar Show welcomes UK guitar royalty, namely, the original Genesis guitarist and successful solo artist in his own right, Steve Hackett, in a very special premium ticketed event. Hackett will be touring Australia for the very first time with his lavish Genesis Revisited tour, playing classic Genesis prog-rock tunes as well as selected material from his 25 solo albums. For the Melbourne Guitar Show however, in a more eclectic and informal setting, Steve will play an exclusive up close and personal acoustic-based show featuring musical director Roger King on keyboards and woodwind/ brass virtuoso Rob Townshend. This will be the only Australian performance by the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio ¨Genesis, only ever made it to Australia once, in 1986 years after Steve and singer Peter Gabriel left the band, so Steve is making it up to fans by bringing some Genesis magic to our shores. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for long serving Genesis fans and aficionados of 70s prog-rock. Steve will also participate in an onstage Q&A session following his guitar show performance. Excited about the upcoming tour, Steve says, “I’m thrilled to bring my Genesis Revisited tour to Australia. I’ll be playing there for the first time and I’m hugely looking forward to it! It’ll be great to meet fans and friends, and I know it’s an incredibly beautiful country. I can’t wait!”
Another star joining the stacked line-up is the Canadian guitar virtuoso Nick Johnston. Known for his catchy, melody-driven instrumental music Nick has been able to carve out his own unique style within a crowded landscape of instrumental guitarists. Nick’s playing has attracted sponsorship from massive international brands including Friedman Amps, Dâ’Addario and Schecter Guitars. Also on board this year, we welcome world-renowned guitarist Alex Hutchings (UK), a modern fusion guitarist par extraordinaire, lauded by many as one of the finest players in the genre. His international following has exploded in recent years thanks to millions of YouTube views via both his own channel and JamTrackCentral (alongside such contemporaries such as Guthrie Govan, Andy James and Jack Thammerat). Regularly touring around the globe, Alex performs under his own name and as an international demonstrator for BOSS/Roland.
Drawing over 5,500 guitar lovers and enthusiasts to last year’s exhibit, the Melbourne Guitar Show is gearing up for the biggest event yet. The voice of the Australian music products industry, the and Schecter Guitars. Also on board this year, we welcome world-renowned guitarist Alex Hutchings (UK), a modern fusion guitarist par extraordinaire, lauded by many as one of the finest players in the genre. His international following has exploded in recent years thanks to millions of YouTube views via both his own channel and JamTrackCentral (alongside such contemporaries such as Guthrie Govan, Andy James and Jack Thammerat). Regularly touring around the globe, Alex performs under his own name and as an international demonstrator for BOSS/Roland.
Drawing over 5,500 guitar lovers and enthusiasts to last year’s exhibit, the Melbourne Guitar Show is gearing up for the biggest event yet. The voice of the Australian music products industry, the Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with Australianmusician.com.au and presenting sponsors Triple M and Aon to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend. “We are looking forward to a show this year that builds steadily based on the merit and popularity of the first two and on the presentation of the best people we can find”, says AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker. Not only will the 2017 MGS provide a hands-on chance to see, hear and play a broad range of the world’s favourite brands, it will also see exhibitors offering great show deals, plus an opportunity to get close to some hand-crafted, locally made instruments and epic guitar and gear collections. Describing the exciting developments, Rob continues, “We will have more exhibitors this year, as well as bigger stand presentations by many brands. We are in discussions with an increasing list of players who want to be a part of it, so we are sure this show will provide great value for guitar enthusiasts once again.”
The first artist line up announcement includes: Steve Hackett (UK), Nick Johnston (Canada), Alex Hutchings (UK), Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles, Bob Spencer, Shannon Bourne, Lloyd Spiegel, James Ryan and many more to be announced over the coming weeks.
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6.
Tickets are on sale now!
Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $35, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15, premium ticket** $40
**Premium tickets include admission to Steve Hackett show – limited tickets available
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW DETAILS
SATURDAY AUG 5 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am â 6.00pm | TICKETS
SUNDAY AUG 6 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE | 10.00am â 6.00pm | TICKETS
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