 |
| Welcome to the Exclusive Greg Howard Interview! |
| Greg Howard is one of the rare individuals who truly deserves the label of "Master Musician" after spending well over 20 years of intense studying and perfecting of his craft on the CHAPMAN STICK, created by renowned musical innovator Emmett Chapman in the late 60's. The results have been a long string of incredible independent releases by Greg on his own ESPRESSO label, featuring not only finely structured pieces with Greg and his great backing band, but also of Greg accompanied only by his impeccable Stick. Greg has been touring around the states for several years now, and his audiences have all been left breathless by his mind-blowing display of musicianship and professionalism. Greg was kind enough to sit down recently and answer some questions about his music and the future of the CHAPMAN STICK. |
| Q: Greg, thanks so much for taking the time to join me here for this interview. It is a real pleasure to talk to you. Greg, you have become one of the premiere Chapman stick players in the entire world, and you have had a big hand in developing the official webpage of the Chapman stick as well. Tell us about the work you have been doing with Emmett Chapman and his great site. A: I'm in touch with Stick players all over the world, so I have a unique perspective on what they need from a website. Stick Enterprises is a small family-run business, but they have a depth of experience and committment that's pretty rare these days. I try to make sure that all the bases are covered for them, because I think what they do is really valuable to the music world. Q: I understand that you actually began playing the stick as an alternate means of playing the piano, is that true? What were your first impressions of the instrument the first time you got a hold of it? A: The Stick allows me to explore counterpoint the way you can with a keyboard, but I'm much more connected to the sound because my fingers are right on the strings. I spent more time playing electronic keyboards than piano, but when you get right down to it, all keyboards are machines. I knew it was the instrument for me from the beginning. Emmett's method and design are very inspirational. Q: How far advanced is the model of Chapman Stick that you are using now compared to your original instrument? A: The first instrument I had was made in the late '70s. Back then they had basically one tuning. I shifted slightly away from that tuning right away (to what is now called the Baritone Melody Tuning), because I wanted more string overlap between the two sides.The instrument I currently play has an active pickup system, Fret Rails, a fully adjustible bridge, adjustible truss, Flaps adjustible nut. Even with all of these advances, I'm always struck when I play the older instrument how good they were even then. Emmett's always been great at implementing his ideas. Q: I must tell you that I have interviewed a couple of other great stick endorsees in Tony Levin and Nick Beggs, and with absolutely no disrespect intended for them, I have never heard anybody else stretching the parameters of what can be done with the instrument like you have. When I saw your set in Newport a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking that you virtually a one-man band with the great rig you had. How did you develop such an intense and independent technique on the Stick? A: The most important thing for any player is how musical they are. Tony and Nick are great musicians. I always aspire to the kind of musicianship that they and people like them can achieve. If you rely on chops to get your message across, then you'll only reach musicians, and there's always someone coming up behind you who will have better chops than you. The only competition you should have in music is with yourself. Be more musical today than yesterday. If I can say that then I'm happy. That said, I find The Stick to be an incredibly fun instrument to play, so what you are picking up on is me having fun. Hopefully it sounds like music. Q: You began your own record label called Espresso Records under which you have released eight of your own CDs, and now, you’re starting to get pretty wide distribution through such venues as Amazon. How difficult was it to finally find these avenues and opportunities to make your music more widely available? A: Because I'm a small entity, I actually try not to be too scattered. It gets to be too much to keep on top of. There are some things that record companies are much better at than artists. Q: I heard that you had actually recorded the first album with the stick as the sole instrument used on the entire record. Which CD was that? A: Actually, I think you're referring to "Whispers" which was a cassette release in 1987. As far as I know it was the first all-solo, all-original Stick record. This is significant because it's only through projects like that that the instrument becomes "complete." It needs to be used in every conceivable context, and it's quite versatile, so that's no problem. I just had the pleasure of exploring it relatively early on. Q: People would probably be interested to know that you have actually been friends for many many years with the members of the Dave Matthews band, and you have recorded with some them, as well as Tim Reynolds, whom you recorded your first CD, Sticks and Stones with. Who have been some of your other favorite colleagues to work with? A: Well, Tim, Dawn Thompson and Leroi Moore are the folks I've collaborate with the most. I'm actually pretty under-exposed when it comes to working on other people's projects. I like to have chemistry with an artist or project, and that takes time to build. Q: Your newest release is actually the first under the guise of The Greg Howard Band, called Lift . How did you enjoy your tour earlier this year with your complete band? A: We had a great time, and it was a bonding experience for us as a band, because we haven't gotten to tour that much. Hopefully we can do it some more next year. Q: As this interview is being conducted, you are in the middle of a tour where you have been opening for some other very impressive acts such as Niacin (with Dennis Chambers) and Porcupine Tree. Do you feel like this has helped you branch your music out to a lot of people that normally wouldn’t be familiar with you? A: I'm always amazed at how diverse the audience is that likes my music. It's gratifying to get such a good reation from rock, jazz, and even folk audiences. Q: Your music undoubtedly has helped inspire others to go out and experience the Stick for themselves. Do you feel that the stick seems to be reaching a higher appeal to musicians of different genres, or is it still an acquired taste? A: I've seen players of all styles, including blues and country. Like any instrument, you have to imagine it in the music. There aren't many truly new instruments that have become available, so we have to give it time to catch on. There are hundreds of new players every year, so I think sooner or later, someone has got to break through into the public consciousness. Q: Greg, I want to thank you so much for joining me here for this interview, and I want to wrap up here by asking you what other projects or releases you have lined up in the near future? A: I'm getting ready to record a bunch of cover tunes that I've been performing for years. So I'm looking forward to getting that underway. Thanks for your interest. Happy Listening! |
|