August 30, 2004
Interview with Richie Kotzen
It’s hard to define the color of a chameleon, or describe a changing climate due to the simple fact that they are more than one thing at any given moment. Richie Kotzen is one of the few artists that like the chameleon have the ability to change depending on his environment, the task at hand or an inspiration from deep within. In “Get Up” he shows us his capacity to wear more than one hat and fulfill practically all the roles needed in the recording of an album. Richie’s attitude towards the music is pure; goal oriented and is ripe with the soul of a true artist. His new album Get Up! shows his talent with all the instruments, the power of his voice and his commitment to the music.
I have enjoyed getting to know Richie through this interview and hope that along with the MP3 samples on the Jukebox and the review of the album here and other websites that all of us will “Get Up” and cheer for a great modern album by a vastly talented musician!
1. In the Stirkeupthebands.net tradition, will you take a moment to introduce yourself; beyond the guitars, the bands, and the sound, please take a moment to introduce yourself Ritchie Kotzen, the man behind the music.
Hello and thank you for taking the time to interview me. I am Richie Kotzen and I’ve got a new CD out on Frontiers called “Get Up” and I believe you have some questions for me!?
2. Richie, you have been a musician since you were five years old. When other kids your age were wondering what they would be when they grew up you were already performing all over the country. Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?
Not really … It’s always been music for me. I started playing clubs when I was 15 and made my first record 2 years later … If I ever had to do something else I’d be in big trouble. This is all I know.
3. Blues, hard rock, soul, fusion... these are all styles of music that you play with great skill and dedication. Is there one style of music that you prefer to play above all others?
I think these styles you mention are more like my influences. I consider myself a rock musician … Everything I play comes from more of a rock feel than a jazz feel. I am most comfortable playing my own music … Things that I write. I’m not much into jamming for the sake of jamming … I like having an objective or if I’m gonna jam have it lead to something that could become a song.
4. Along that same train of thought, when you aren’t making music, what kind of music do you listen to most?
I really don’t listen to much music when I’m not making music of my own … Sometimes I like a break from music. I do prefer older style soul stuff like Curtis Mayfield and Sly and The Family Stone … Those are the CDs I’ll put on my stereo if I’m gonna play something around the house.
5. You have had such a wide variety of success with so many different projects and music is there a time in your career that you look back on as a turning point in your progression, a pivotal moment that had a lasting affect on you and your music?
They all have had strong effects for different reasons. Being in a band with Stanley Clarke was a different sort of education than being in a rock band … I really had never played that style of music before and it opened up a lot of doors for me as an improve based musician.
6. In addition to your work recording and touring with different bands, you also regularly release solo albums. Where do you find the time and energy to keep up such a crazy schedule? Is there a technique you use to rejuvenate yourself after the long weeks of touring?
I really don’t tour that heavily … This year will be the biggest tour I’ve done as a solo artist. I’ll be in Japan twice, England twice, South America, Spain, Italy and dates at the end of the year on the east coast in the states. I basically release a record a year … It is a comfortable pace for me.
7. More and more artists are building their own studios and producing their own music, in 2002 you built your own studio Headroom-inc, to produce not only your own music but a long list of well known musicians. What aspects of the production are you actually involved in?
So far I have been very busy with my own stuff and have not done any outside production .. I did play a bit on Gene Simmons’ record which he recorded a lot of at my studio. I have been talking to a few bands about bringing them into the studio to produce once my schedule slows down.
8. Each artist has a style and method for writing a song; an order the various layers are developed. How do your songs take shape from start to finish; do you have a particular muse that inspires you?
Every song is different for me. Some songs I write from the guitar, other start on bass, and some start on piano. It really depends on my mood … The most important thing for me is being inspired and having a point of view … Something to write about … If I don’t have that than I can’t finish a song.
9. With the release of your album, “Get Up” where will you go next; have you already started on your next big project?
Well I am very focused on “Get Up” right now. I really want to do a lot more live playing off this record. Honestly if things go the way I like I will be doing live shows well into next yer in support of the “Get Up” CD.
10. Will you take a minute and talk about a few of the songs that you included in “Get Up” and what the overall feel of this album means to you?
This record reminds me of some of my earlier CDs that first game me international exposure. The song “Losin My Mind” is the opener and is way rock … Almost reminds me of old Van Halen. “Remember” is my favorite song on the CD … I love these kinds of slower tunes that are still funky and have a lot of stops for the vocal. “Get Up” is the title track and the most aggressive song on the CD. I know the riff is in some odd time but I’m not sure what its called … nor do I care … I just know it sounds cool to me. I don’t like to over think stuff when I write … If it sounds good I’ll worry about what it is later.
11. What sort of plans do you have to tour with this new album?
I’ve got dates booked in South America, Japan, England, Spain and the U.S. … I hope to really play out a lot more at the end of this year and into next year.
12. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and share your thoughts. Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?
The record should be out in Europe on Frontiers by the time you read this … Check it out and visit http://www.richiekotzen.com for upcoming live dates.
Posted by Kathy at August 30, 2004 03:30 AM