"Artists at the Edge: Natasha Vita-More (2)"

- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Thursday, 07 September 2006 07:26  

 

 
Last month we took a look at part one of the Natasha Vita-More interview. Now, we'll conclude with part 2. Enjoy!

11) You've had a keen interest in the nexus of science, art, & culture for quite some time. Can you say a few words about the function of your organization & web-site Transhumanist Arts & Culture?

"Artists at the Edge: Natasha Vita-More"

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
first published at Tinfoil Music
Friday, 11 August 2006 08:30

For those who already know of Natasha Vita-More, no introduction is needed. For those unfamiliar with her, suffice it to say she is a HUGE thinker not just in the world of technology, but in the world of ideas. Her scope goes far beyond one or two focus groups and covers art, technology, fashion, science, politics, sex, religion...from primitive past to brilliant & kaleidoscopic future.

Natasha sculpts her body and her mind with old-fashioned work and new-fangled technologies, and gazes into the future with dazzling clarity. She is award-winning artist, actress, author, speaker, television show host. She holds a BFA from University of Memphis, MS from University of Houston (Future Studies), and is a Ph.D. candidate at University of Plymouth. She holds certificates from the AMFA as nutritionist & personal trainer, from Blackstone School of Law in paralegal studies, HTML writers Guild in animation. She was president of the Extopy Institute from 2000-2006 (ExI officially "closed it's doors" earlier this year), is founder & director of Transhumanist Arts & Culture, honorary vice-chair of the WTA, & sits on the council of advisors for the Alcor Foundation. She has delivered speeches to hundreds of thousands at various conferences around the world, been interviewed by newspapers like the New York Times & Village Voice and magazines as diverse as Wired, US News & World Report, and Harper's Bazaar. She has appeared in television & film for over 20 years and her artwork has been exhibited from coast to coast in the US as well as Europe and Japan, and her bio is featured from the Who's Who to Kurzweil AI.


In short, she is a brilliant artist and futurist. In the expanding world of transhumanism, extropianism, and art, she is a legend. She has been married to the equally brilliant strtegic futurist Dr. Max More since 1996, and though she was born mid-way through the last century, she looks like an Olympic athlete half her age.


I had the chance to speak to Natasha recently (note: this interview took place in the spring of 2006), so here is the first of a 2-part series. Hang on - it's a wild ride.....

''GUITAR GODS: Randy Ellefson''

-- David Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 22 2005 @ 02:25:56 GMT

Instrumental rock guitarist Randy Ellesfon has a flowing, almost lyrical style of playing that places song above chops. That said, Rand has plenty of chops for the die-hard shred fan! With a Bachelors of Music in classical guitar (Magna Cum Laude), a couple of tasty endorsement deals (Peavy & Alvarez), and a new CD, "The Firebard", Randy is on a mission to spread the Gospel of Guitar.

"The Firebard", which was released in late 2004 in Guitarosity Records, is a nod to Randy's bout with tendonitis, which took away his playing for 5 years. Ultimately, Randy conquored it and is currently in rehearsals with his new band for a series of performances.

He is also a prolific teacher, with monthly columns at Guitar-Guitar and guest columns at IBreatheMusic, Guitar-9, and other top guitar-centric sites.

Check out the review of "The Firebard" and be sure to visit his web-site for up-to-date information, mp3s, tabs, articles, videos, and other cool stuff!

I had a chance to speak with Randy recently. Check it out!

David "Skinny Devil" McLean on WKYT

"....the top YMCA led guitar program in the country and the national model for other YMCAs..." (and did he mention only one of 3 guitar programs ever sponsored by Gibson?).

The Life of Kid Grayson (part 1)

WHEN VENGEANCE COMES, THERE WILL BE RESPECT AND LIFE GIVEN,

WHEN THE VENGEANCE COMES, THEY WILL CEASE THE SMILES AND STAND,

WHEN VENGEANCE COMES JESUS WILL LEAVE THE ROOM IN DISGUST,

WHEN VEGEANCE COMES LIFE TURNS TO RUST..DIRTY..BLOODY RUST.

"THE LIFE OF KID GRAYSON"

by BARRY MILLER

ONE

His name is Grayson Mayfield, a tall boy of seventeen years. He sits by his father who was said to have killed a man some ten years before this night because his Daddy was drunk and mean. He got over being drunk in about a day but he kept the mean. The boy like his father is quiet. He possesses long fingers and arms, good for guitar work. He was close to drunk one night when he took three quick drinks of Daddy’s whiskey while he was playing down at the local joint. He likes the taste. He has seen the mean side of life already in his young age. He is known to fight when cornered and has been suspended from school for fighting. Some boys there said things about his Daddy.

(get the entire book HERE)

'GUITAR GODS: Eric Roche''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Thursday, March 17 2005 @ 14:57:58 GMT

 
(Editor's note: This interview took place in early 2005, and was published March 2005. Everything was looking up for Eric, but by the end of summer, his cancer took a turn for the worst and he died September 6, 2005.)

Eric Roche is not a well-known name outside of acoustic fingerstyle circles, but it should be. He is among the most eclectic, versatile, and gifted guitarists walking the planet.
 
The following interview took place last year, and since then the book "The Acoustic Guitar Bible" (complete with forward by fellow "Guitar Gods" interviewee Tommy Emmanuel) has been released to lavish praise, and Eric has performed to even more astonished audiences...audiences spell-bound by his amazing technique and beautiful music.

Performer, composer, instructor...Eric writes a regular fingerstyle column in the international magazine, "Acoustic Magazine", "Guitar Techniques", and "Guitarist". He is head of guitar at The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, is also author of numerous books, and has given workshops & master-classes all over the world. You can get loads of info, hear soundclips, and more at his web-site, so surf over for a visit. It's well worth your time!

Check it out!

'GUITAR GODS: Nick Martinelli''

- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
Originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 13:32:50 GMT 

Nick Martinelli is a wicked guitar player, instructor, web designer, and owner of the extreme guitar site, The Shred Zone!

While Nick's guitar playing skills are considerable, most of the press he receives is due to his company, Net Fusion Designs, (he's created sites for Rusty Cooley, TD Clark, German Schaus, and other shredders) and his instructional shred-site, The Shred Zone, which has thousands of daily visitors interested in improving their guitar technique.

I had a chance to speak to Nick last year - check it out!

The DRUMMER SESSIONS - Steve DiMartino

- Barry Miller



I PICKED STEVIE DI, AS I KNOW HIM, FOR MY FIRST DRUMMER SESSION. WHY? BECAUSE HE IS THE EXEMPLAR, THE MODEL, THE MOLD, OF ALL DRUMMERS I KNOW. HE IS WHAT DRUMMERS NEED TO BE OR SHOULD BE, IN MY OPINION. HE IS THE MONSTER ON THE MUPPET SHOW. HE IS THE FIRE BEHIND THE BAND THAT BURNS THE GROOVE. HE IS THE DRUMMER WHO MAY CALL OUT A BASS PLAYER BECAUSE HE IS MISSING THE GROOVE; BUT HE WILL PROBABLY DO IT WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE - ONCE.

HE IS THE DRUMMER WHO STARTED AS A KID BECAUSE HE HAD THE PASSION, THAT
INTANGIBLE TRAIT THAT SETS THE GOOD DRUMMERS AND MUSCIANS APART FROM THE REST OF US.

''GUITAR GODS: Chris Poland''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 15 2005 @ 14:59:10 GMT

If you are a fan of Megadeth, you need no introduction to Chris Poland - the man who ripped out half the guitar work for the band along with founder Dave Mustaine. You've heard his playing on the classics "Peace Sells...but Who's Buying?", "Devil's Island", and more, and know all about his flowing, legato style. Then again, you might know Chris as the west coast fusion player instead, who tore through the clubs 20 years ago with his band The New Yorkers.

If you're new to Chris Poland, you might only have heard his amazing work with Damn the Machine or his solo project or maybe his main gig, OHM:. Even many a Poland fan don't know about the wide scope of his career, but Chris Poland is pouring out fresh ideas faster than they can be recorded.

Learn all about Chris at his web-site! I had the chance to speak with Chris recently - check it out!

''GUITAR GODS: Neil Zaza''

- David :Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Monday, March 14 2005 @ 02:36:28 GMT


Neil Zaza is an amazing player who has been a staple on the guitar hero scene for over a decade. He has performed across the globe, holds more endorsements than you can shake a stick at, has released 8 solo albums and is featured on 2 compilations, and has shared the stage with the like of Joe Satriani, and was recently featured at the NAMM All-Star Jam, hitting the stage with Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, and more!

Neil's playing is lightning fast and he knows every trick in the book, but the prime element is how melodic and soulful he can be. Give a listen to his new disc, "Melodica", and you'll be astonished with his lyrical approach to instrumental guitar music! Tracks like the opener, "On With the Show", the gorgeous title track, or the quiet "Good-Bye" will have you asking why Neil's face doesn't grace the cover of every guitar magazine across the globe with more regularity!