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.
Sarah Carroll answers our questions:
How long have you been playing guitar? Why did you first start playing guitar?
I started at 11 or 12, and had wanted to play for years before that. I always wanted to play and sing.
Which guitarist most influenced your playing?
No particular player influenced me as a kid, because I heard the guitar as part of the music. I could sing solos note for note but never wanted to play them. As a big Kiss fan, I related much more to Paul Stanley than to Ace Frehley.
After I started going to gigs, about 16 years old, my favourite guitarists were Andy Baylor, Paul Neuendorf, Ross Hannaford, Dave Adam, James Black, Warren Rough, Lisa Miller, Fiona Boyes, Nicky Del Rey and possibly my hugest influence, Mick Cameron, whose acoustic rhythm style I try to emulate.
Nowadays I also admire Bill Kirchen, Robbie Fulks, Memphis Minnie, Leigh Ivin, Den Hanrahan, Brennen Leigh, Anne McCue, Rosie Flores, Hollie Joyce and Bec Goring.
Describe your favourite guitar.
A black Gibson Dove, custom made in 1986 to replicate the 60s version. It has a sunrise sound hole pickup in it and never gives me anything but joy.
I also received a beautiful ukulele made by Joe Brady recently, with a low G string on it and a single cutaway. Very rock and roll! Also was given a gorgeous Huon Pine and Blackwood tenor ukulele and these two are my favourite ukuleles.
How do you prepare for a show?
Try to relax, check my gear, eat and drink something, don’t talk too much.
Which artist/band was/is your favourite to play guitar with?
My current outfit The Left Wing, because we cover all bases.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Satisfying, unique, good for you!
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
Just had a fabulous weekend on the road with Den Hanrahan and my older son Fenn Wilson. At a house concert we did in Bendigo, Fenn, who was sitting between me and Den, broke a string in the middle of a song. Den passed him his guitar and he continued very smoothly I must say while I changed the string in time for my next song which I commandeered Fenn’s guitar for. I think it must have looked like the slowest juggling act ever but I was very proud of the way Fenn handled it and glad we were there to help him!
What, or who, inspires you?
Travel, the beautiful people I meet, and the natural world.
Which song do you wish you wrote the riff for?
Lola, The Kinks.
If you had unlimited money, what would your dream guitar setup be?
I actually have everything I need, but a roadie would be fabulous!
What’s next for you?
More touring to promote my new album Star Parade! Off to Nashville in September and then more Aussie dates.
What is the best thing about the Melbourne Guitar Show this August?
The ukulele concert!!!
What’s your scene?
OK, my scene is playing and recording and writing and teaching music, being politically active and having as much fun as humanly possible.
For more information: www.sarahcarrollstarparade.com
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, D’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 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 – 6.00pm | TICKETS
SUNDAY AUG 6 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE | 10.00am – 6.00pm | TICKETS
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